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trip! IN NEED OF A QUICK GETAWAY THIS SPRING AND SUMMER? OUR STAFF SHARES A FEW OF THEIR FAVE NEARBY DESTINATIONS PERFECT FOR DAY OR WEEKEND TRIPS!
ur family lives in a neighborhood across the highway from Fearrington Village. We love day trips, and one of the places we recently revisited was the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher near Wilmington. We went to see the new otter pups on exhibit and watched them slip down the slide and swim up to inspect visitors pressed against the glass. The alligators exhibit always delivers drama because they appear deceptively docile and sleepy just before they slip into the dark waters. I was surprised to learn that you can book a sleepover for a group of 15-30 people in front of the 235,000-gallon Cape Fear Shoals habitat with sharks, eels and turtles to watch over you. Personally, I would watch the jellyfish tank, because it’s like a giant lava lamp. Snacks, craft supplies and breakfast are provided. Contact the aquarium for more details. The aquarium is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, which provides year-round opportunities to come see all the fantastic exhibits, animals and fish! – Anna-Rhesa Versola, senior staff writer
I’m from Graham, North Carolina, in Alamance County, and I love to go back and visit the Graham Cinema. It is still the same as it was when I was a child – stadium seating with just one movie screen and cost is $5 per person and $3 per kid. You have to call 336-226-1488 to hear the 32
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024
voicemail – there is always a joke. Promise, it’s so worth it! The Burlington City Park is the best for kids, with a train and boat rides, plus the carousel is fabulous. Head over to Zack’s Hot Dogs after the park for its nearly century-old, famous grill menu. Graham, much like Pittsboro, is also the county seat. If you enjoy visiting Carolina Tiger Rescue, you’ll definitely want to check out the Burlington’s Animal Park at the Conservators Center. And did you know that Press Coffee, Crepes & Cocktails, which has a location now in Durham and is soon to open in Raleigh, got its start in Alamance County? – Chris Elkins, Chatham Magazine publisher & Triangle Media Partners vice president
I recently did a day trip to Winston-Salem with my pup, Olive. I started with a visit to the best little bakery, Bobby Boy Bakeshop, where I picked up a whole box of goodies to make it worth the drive. The highlights were the croissants and the morning bun. Wine lovers should know it’s attached to a wine shop, so pick up a bottle or two to bring home with you. We then strolled through Hanes Park (there’s a beautiful section along a creek) and down the Stuart & Emma Thomas Memorial Trail for some views. Next up was a pint at Incendiary Brewing Co. (which is right next to pizza spot Cugino Forno, which also