Five Must-See NC Destinations

from FF Jan 2021

Dining Guide

Traveling doesn’t always mean heading out of state or hopping on a flight. If you’re in need of a quick weekend getaway or somewhere new to take your family on a Saturday, below are five destinations in North Carolina to add to your 2021 travel bucket list.

Bryson City, NC

A little more than an hour west of Asheville, Bryson City is an excellent home base for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a charming mountain town, don’t expect too many visitors in the colder months. In the summer, however, the city is bustling. Deep Creek Campground is a popular destination for tourists and locals, offering hiking trails, waterfalls, and river tubing (one of the area’s most popular activities). With only a few restaurants in the town, expect higher wait times during the summer months and holidays. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad also draws in tourists year-round for stunning train rides along the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers. Want a break from outdoor activities? Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is less than a 20-minute drive away. Enjoy a nice dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and a few hours at the craps table before heading back to your cabin or campsite for campfire s’mores.

Atlantic Beach, NC

Head to the coast for the weekend and enjoy eating fresh seafood in Atlantic Beach. Considerably less crowded than Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach offers beautiful North Carolina Beaches and waterfront restaurants that are sure to take your mind off of the stress of the workweek. For those interested in history, Fort Macon State Park is a short five-minute drive from the Atlantic Beach Boardwalk. Tour the fort or take a walk along the 1.5-mile Beach Trail. Along with swimming and picnicking, many visitors enjoy year-round fishing in the park. After a long day of sightseeing and touring, relax with a piña colada at Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant overlooking the Money Island Bay.

Durham, NC

Downtown Durham often flies under the radar as a tourist destination, but its streets offer fantastic cuisine and are packed with character. Located across the street from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the beautiful American Tobacco Campus offers dining, retail, and live music, accompanied by a man-made river that runs through the campus during the warmer months. If you’re an art enthusiast, the art galleries at the 21c Museum Hotel are open daily with rotating art exhibits. For an outstanding dining experience, the Counting House restaurant located in the hotel is a popular spot among locals and art-lovers. Before leaving town, get some exercise and take a stroll through Sarah P. Duke Gardens, offering five miles of walking paths and a one-of-a-kind koi pond.

Pullen Park

Not too far from Durham, Pullen Park in Raleigh is a great family-friendly way to spend a Saturday. Children will love the park’s playgrounds, carousel, and pedal boats. The park also houses picnic shelters, tennis courts, and a cafe. With over 66 acres, the park offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and sits just west of Downtown Raleigh. In case of bad weather, taking the family to explore the Marbles Kids’ Museum is an excellent indoor alternative. Children will love the museum’s myriad of interactive exhibits and will be mesmerized while watching an IMAX documentary. Admission to the museum and IMAX film tickets can be reserved ahead of time online.

Troutman, NC

In need of a girls’ weekend? Davesté Vineyards in Troutman is located about 10 minutes east of Lake Norman. Purchase tickets for a guided vineyard tour and a wine tasting for less than $30 per person. After tasting a few wines, get in the car with your designated driver and drive another 10 minutes to Zootastic Park to see a variety of exotic animals. Visitors have the option of walking or driving through the park, in addition to purchasing private animal encounters with kangaroos, lemurs, armadillos, and sloths (to name just a few!). Zootastic also has first- come, first-serve outdoor picnic tables for hosting birthday parties. As North Carolina continues to open safely, be sure to check the operating hours and new safety protocols online for all of the above destinations before your trip to ensure a safe and seamless getaway.

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

“My dear, here we must run as fast as we can just to stay in place. And if you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as

that.” ~Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass, 1871. “Did you hear me, sweetie? Please put the phone down so we can talk!” Parents often describe their child’s screen time as an addiction. When attention shifts from a technological device to an adult, the trance suddenly breaks. Immediately, a daughter or son internalizes the new message. Kids, whether we realize it or not, listen and observe. Perceptive to body language, tension, and stress, they hear the tone of voice as parents talk to strangers and friends and witness the handling of emotional situations. Whether the time span lasts for four to eight hours, or is held for ten hours daily, children find comfort in holding their devices, captivated also by a popular presenter’s message! DEFINING THE ROLE MODEL From preschool through the teenage years, friendship is an ongoing discussion. Daughters and sons learn the rules through a break in loyalty, disappointments, selfish actions, and mistakes. As parents listen, a teachable moment arrives to take the topic of friendship one step further and define a role model’s purpose. Children do not realize they set examples every day, influencing younger and older classmates. Decisions, strengths, and weaknesses show qualities of character as well as making mistakes does. Every adverse action can result in learning! What can parents do? Help children reflect on situations by asking the following questions: • What would you do differently? • Was there another positive way to handle the situation?

• Who do you think is a good role model, and why? As children learn to identify positive qualities in others, they can assess other individuals, such as teachers and coaches, and extend this assessment to widely admired public figures. Open discussions about positive and negative role models allow children to ask questions and understand distinctions.

THE STARS OF SOCIAL MEDIA The people who gain popularity reach out to our children through programming—U-Tube, Twitter, and other social media platforms, all of which are accessible 24 hours daily.

Age 2 to 7:

• LIMIT SCREEN TIME: Preschool to second graders thrive using hands-on activities and engaging in personal interaction.

Encourage educational skills through playing, and spending time independently or together.

• FIND AGE-APPROPRIATE CONTENT:

While all programs identify as educational television, determine its lessons by reading parent reviews and watching a few episodes. Access the website, www. commonsensemedia.org, to find the shows, movies, games, and books geared toward your child’s age.

• ENJOY SHOWS TOGETHER: Doc

McStuffins is a televised program that shatters stereotypes and encourages girls to follow their dreams. Parents should join their child’s world to understand why particular shows are appealing.

Age 8 to 12:

• LOOKING FOR THE STRONG FEMALE:

By the second or third grade, girls prefer to connect with female characters who personify their feelings. The DC Superhero

Girls well define the characteristics of confidence, leadership, humility, unique strengths, and teamwork. • IDENTIFY VALUES THROUGH

PROGRAMS: Reinforcing the message arrives through teachable moments. As children tune in to favorite shows, take time to discuss both positive and negative examples of behavior, actions, or words.

It may help alter the person your child chooses to imitate.

• CONNECT THROUGH BOOKS: Start technology-based activities to enjoy together. A high-interest audiobook shared on the drive to and from school can present opportunities to discuss character relationships, values, choices, good deeds, and mistakes.

Age 13 and older:

• RESEARCH POPULAR CULTURE: Stay well-informed of names and associated activities to engage in conversation and guide their understanding of acceptable and appropriate actions. • CONTINUE MONITORING ANTI-SOCIAL

BEHAVIOR: Teens are trying on various personalities to determine who they are. Help them balance their values of self-expression alongside a favorable stance on social action. Your active presence on social media will help monitor communication exchanges and prevent potential negative consequences. • CONNECT THROUGH EXPERIENCES:

Living with a technologically savvy teen requires time in the real world by engaging in conversations without a device in hand. Boost social interaction by making introductions. Influential and empowering people are everywhere! Open a door and start saying hello!