I hate to disappoint you, but my NC experience is mostly limited to the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area. My Ex-husband was stationed there when he was in the Army. I did visit the Raleigh/Durham area for a long weekend when I was in high school and it was nice. Lots of stuff centered around the Colleges but it was nice from what I remember.

I would suggest the North Carolina mountains. From DC drive west to I-81, then south to I-77. Before you enter NC, take the fancy Gap exit to get access to the Blue Ridge parkway and drive south. Beautiful country.

I would suggest driving to Asheville and checking out the Biltmore house.

Have fun and enjoy!

Nags Head area, most definitely. Rent a condo or stay in a hotel…I promise you will not be disappointed. Not too much of a nightlife, but for relaxation on gorgeous beaches and fun restaurants, go there.

Avon!! A tiny little town in the outer banks. it’s by far the best to stay.

I am not sure what is going on in Charlotte that weekend, but if something is going on, you might want to check it out. I’d also recommend Wilmington or something along the coast. Or either Asheville and the mountains.

I’d suggest either the mountains or the coast. Either one would be excellent (albeit, probably crowded) for labor day. If you go to the mountains, absolutely drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, try to see Grandfather Mountain, and hike around a little. If you go to the coast, Wilmington has much to recommend it, but then so does Kittyhawk (as in, the Wright Brothers), Cape Hatteras, &c. The beach itself is better farther south, i think, around what’s called the “Crystal Coast.” (Or you could be like my brother and start at one end of the state and drive to the other in the course of a day…)

There are lots of nice places to visit in NC, but the mountains are definitely my favorite. Asheville is a beautiful city with lots of things to do…great restaurants, shopping, the Biltmore house (must see!). Boone is also a great town…smaller, but still a lot to do.

My sister adores Wilmington, if you want the beach, but my boyfriend says the Outer Banks are much better.

My favorite place in NC is Ocracoke Island. It’s not the easiest place to get to; you either drive down the Outer Banks past Cape Hatteras and take a 15-minute ferry or take a 2.5 hour ferry from the mainland. The last time I was there was about 14 years ago, but I do know that there is still no bridge to Ocracoke.

Once on Ocracoke, you’ll find a great national park with beachfront camping, a small village on the sound side of the island, and not much else. No amusement parks, elvis impersonators, go-karts. It’s well worth the visit.

I really recommend the mountains as welL! Asheville, Blowing Rock… are you looking for a touristy place or a place to relax?

by the way, i do NOT recommend the beaches- i think they’re not all they’re claimed to be. overpopulated at best.

I personally think the Outer Banks are great. You can find a nice relaxing place pretty much anywhere along the strand. I also have a great fondness for Beaufort NC. Nice historic town with bed and breakfasts, boat tours of the inlet and Shackleford banks where the banker ponies live, as well as GREAT seafood at the Sanitary Fish Market down the road in Morehead City. It’s near MCAS Cherry Point as well, not sure when they have it, but the air show they used to put on was superb. Beaufort is a pretty long drive from DC, but worth it.

GO up to the mountains! See Asheville, I lived there for a short time and its so worth visiting! also Mount Mitchel is worth going too, and ofcourse Biltmore house! :D

Rodanthe is a good choice, far quieter than Nags Head. But seriousle consider Ocracoke Island. If you want quiet and relaxing you can’t beat it. There are several placed that rent bicycles, the best way to see the island other than on foot. The village is small and limited in size due to the fact that the National Park Service controls much of the land and all of the oceanfront. The entire oceanfront is natural. No buildings or piers and several parking access areas where you can walk over the dunes to the beach. I your vehicle has 4wheel drive parts of the beach allow vehicle traffic. If you want more information do a search for Dr Beach which rated Ocracoke as the #1 US beach this year! But be sure to make reservations in advance for a place to stay. Check out www.ocracokevillage.com