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One of the first travel destinations I went to when vaccinations made it easier and safer to travel more freely was Wilmington, [North Carolina]! It’s one of my favorite North Carolina destinations. There’s something about digging your bare feet into the sand and hearing the waves roll in and out. Not to mention, Wilmington’s food scene is just amazing. On my last visit, I managed to hit up new restaurants like Seabird and old favorites like Indochine. Outside of North Carolina, I recently went on a road trip to Dollywood located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and I’m still riding that high. I had no idea such a magical theme park was just a short five-hour drive from Chapel Hill. Asheville, North Carolina, is on the way, and I loved stopping there for lunch. We are so lucky to have such lovely travel destinations easily accessible by car.” – Li nda N guyen, Carrboro
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I will visit Richmond, Virginia, [in August]. Richmond is a wonderful city, with great restaurants, a funky vibe, and some of the best urban white water in the country. I lived there for 20 years, a block off the James River. My mother, [Diane Barbour], retired to Richmond, and she loves it, too, mostly for the food and art scenes. I am headed there to visit with Mom, connect with my brother, and celebrate our birthdays.”
We live in the Claremont/ Winmore neighborhood of Chapel Hill but enjoy packing up and heading to Wilmington, [North Carolina], because there’s a lot to do but you don’t have to drive far to do it. No matter the season, a wonderful weekend in Wilmington might begin Johannes Gerz-Escandón early in the morning and Jennifer Gerzwatching [the] sunrise over Escandón in downtown Wilmington. Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier on Wrightsville Beach. Our next stop is either historic Wilmington for a bite at Beach Bagels on North Front Street or to the artsy South Front neighborhood for pumpkin chocolate chip bread at Bodega Market. A stroll down the boardwalk along the Cape Fear River offers a great view of the Battleship North Carolina on one side and award-winning downtown architecture on the other. We also love to wander in and out of vintage clothing stores or shop for used records in the Castle Street District. Recently we bought concert tickets at the brand-new Live Oak Bank Pavilion and look forward to enjoying local and nationally known performers under the stars. From beaches to breweries, there is always something to do in Wilmington!
– S u zan n e Bar bour, Greenwood, C h ap e l H ill
– J enni fer Gerz -Escandón, Cl arem ont / Wi nm ore, Chapel Hi ll
getaway Find inspiration for your own fall trips as a few of our neighbors share their recent and upcoming regional travels By Re n e e A mb ro s o
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chapelhillmagazine.com
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September/October 2021