Eastern Carolina Parent - April 2009 - (Page 12) North Carolina: The trunk is packed with suitcases and pillows. Travel games are nestled near the kids, and mom’s bare feet are propped on the dash board. This signals the beginning of another memorable family road trip! Though more families are planning stay-cations this year rather than vacations, we are aware that many of you desperately long for the traditional family retreat. To meet your travel needs, ECP has created a list of North Carolina hot spots that the whole family is sure to love. North Carolina has always been a “Variety Vacationland” with its pristine mountains, rolling hills of the Piedmont, and white sandy beaches, and there has never been a better time to rediscover our state. Pack up the minivan, strap in the kids, and head out on a local family adventure. No airfare required, no fancy accommodations needed, and no jam –packed itineraries warranted. These North Carolina family getaways will fit into your budget and your Feature Variety Stay-cation Land weekend travel schedule. features wonderful family attractions, most within walking distance, and activities such as fishing, mini golf, designated bike paths, ice cream shops, parks and of course, fun on the beach and in the water. Area attractions include the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Macon State Park, the North Carolina Maritime Museum and more. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is an amazing 93,000 square foot facility with nearly 40 new with exhibits and exhibits programs. The recent $25 million renovation takes you across the state on an aquatic journey “from the mountains to the sea.” The Aquarium offers five different galleries that depict marine life of each of these five major zones: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters, and Ocean. The Living Shipwreck exhibit allows visitors to watch and talk to divers while daily programs and activities allow hands-on experiences for guests of all ages. Outdoors, you will find nature trails, a marsh overlook, and a fossil hunt. Boat cruises, marsh exploration, and other adventures are available for an additional fee. Please call 1-866-294-3477 or visit www.ncaquariums.com for more information. Jockey’s Ridge: This 80-foot-tall sand dune, located in the outer banks of North Carolina is the tallest in the United States! Kids will marvel at the sea of sand as they are made to feel like they’re in the middle of a surreal desert. Kids of all ages will find it impossible to resist the temptation of rolling down those big hills of sand. Jockey’s Ridge is also the perfect destination for kite flying. With Kitty Hawk Kites just around the corner, parents can purchase kites for their little ones or purchase hang gliding lessons for people of all ages. Kitty Hawk Kites even offers specifically designed lessons for children as young as three! Picnic facilities are available. Visit www.jockeysridgestatepark.com for more information. Check out the Wright Brothers Memorial while there as well! This memorial, located on Highway 158 north of Kill Devil Hills, stands on the same spot where the Wright brothers took their first powered flight. Additionally, you should make plans to take in the performance of the Lost Colony while in the Outer Banks area. The Lost Colony drama recounts the mystery of the lost colony: Roanoke Island, the first English settlement of www.easterncarolinaparent.com Beaches Emerald Isle is a familyfriendly beach located on North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks in the popular vacation area known as the Crystal Coast. Emerald Isle offers fabulous and fun beach house rentals for any size family, so choose your week or weekend, and make plans for a family vacation or getaway that is sure to bring memories that will last a lifetime. Emerald Isle B ook your summer vacation now for the best value and selection. Classic cottages, luxury condo resorts and elegant beach homes are available to fit every budget. Internet specials posted daily. Call 866.225.6750 or visit EmeraldIsleRealty.com. A Tradition on the North Carolina Coast Since 1962! 12 Eastern Carolina Parent : April 2009 http://www.EmeraldIsleRealty.com http://www.easterncarolinaparent.com
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