TRIANGLE STAYCATION DESTINATIONS

TRIANGLE

Staycation Destinations

By Meredith Hemphill

It can be hard to find the time to take a big vacation. For those of us with busy schedules, a staycation can be the way to go. Day trips and weekend getaways to explore local gems are the perfect way to get some time away from the daily grind. Here are some Triangle destinations worth staycationing at.

CLOER FAMILY VINEYARDS

This Apex winery is family owned and operated and established by North Carolina State horticulture graduate Tam Cloer. “We are the only family-owned winery in the Raleigh-Durham area that grows its own grapes and produces its own wines on-site,” explained cofounder Pam Cloer. Cloer Family Vineyards carries two muscadine and three European-style wines. Tastings, including a brief wine education, are available anytime. Visitors may walk through the vineyards, take self-guided tours of the winery, visit the sheep, or have a picnic with a bottle of wine. “If they forget to bring food with them, we have tons of NC food products available for sale so they can make their own charcuterie basket,” Pam said. Cloer Family Vineyards hosts classes and events. Upcoming classes include cupcake decorating, acrylic pour charcuterie boards, candle making, and acrylic pour wine glasses. Check their calendar for dates and times.

CHATHAM HILL WINERY

Established in 1999, Chatham Hill Winery was the first winery in the Triangle. They are in Cary with a market and eatery on site. Their wines are produced using traditional methods. They state on their website that they “simply assist nature in the alchemy of turning grapes into wine.” Chatham Hill Winery makes ten European-style, two Scuppernong, and five “Sweet Carolina” fruit-infused wines. There are live music nights on Fridays from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Wine tastings are offered every Saturday and Sunday.

Reservations are required for parties of eight or more.

PRAIRIE RIDGE ECOSTATION

Prairie Ridge Ecostation is part of the NC Science Museum. While it is used for research and conservation purposes, it’s also open to the public. “What makes [the Ecostation] special is just the wide variety of nature you can experience while you’re here,” said Brian Hahn, a natural resource specialist at Prairie Ridge. The Ecostation includes an outdoor classroom, native plant garden and arboretum, ponds, walking trails, and the Nature PlaySpace which has programs for young children several days a week. “It’s a playground with no playground equipment,” Hahn explained. “The idea is for that to be a first step to getting back to being comfortable outdoors.”

Visitors can sign up to participate in citizen science projects, as well as attend the variety of naturethemed programs and public events held at the Ecostation. See their calendar for upcoming opportunities. If there are children in your life, keep an eye out for their Take a Child Outside Week events September 24-30.

ARROWHEAD INN

The Arrowhead Inn, a former plantation house circa 1775, is now a romantic couple’s retreat in Durham. There are seven guestrooms and two small cottages to choose from, all designed to sleep two people. A third guest may stay in the North Carolina Cabin for $25 more. There is a fireplace in every room, and guests are treated to small luxuries like fresh flowers, writing journals, and terry satin robes. The Arrowhead Inn is adultsonly, they do not take children under 12 years old. The grounds have beautiful gardens, outdoor seating areas, and a fire pit. A three-course breakfast made with herbs from the gardens and local produce is included. Special packages and add-ons are available. These are just a few of the wonderful staycation destinations in the Triangle. Give one of them a try next time you need a quick break.