Summer Travelers Can Stay Cool Across North Carolina

With its mountain air, ocean breezes, freshwater lakes and flowing streams, North Carolina(link is external) extends cool touches from the peaks to the beach. Throughout summer, travelers can soak up the sun without melting. Before putting plans into action, Visit North Carolina recommends checking state and local advisories(link is external) about openings and regulations related to COVID-19. A review of tips for the beach(link is external) and other outdoor activities(link is external) further ensures a safe trip.

Wave-seekers flock to the barrier island beaches that form 300 miles of Atlantic coastline(link is external). Historic brick lighthouses and lively history add interest value to a full slate of water activities and the airborne adventures found along the windy stretches. The gentler waters of the Albemarle, Pamlico and other sounds ripple in counterpoint to the ocean’s rolling breakers and expand the coastal experience. They also make it possible to watch the sun rise and set over glistening the waters.

West of the tidewater, the vast Coastal Plain boasts stretches of lakefront beaches. Tradition draws families to White Lake(link is external), once believed to have been created by meteors, for its white sands and clear water. Lake Gaston(link is external), a Dominion Energy reservoir well-loved for fishing, has gained standing among wakeboarders, thanks to two-time world champion Adam Field’s AF Wake(link is external). Off Interstate 85 near Henderson, Kerr Lake(link is external) and its state recreation area(link is external) appeal to boaters, swimmers and fishermen.

Charlotte(link is external), Raleigh(link is external) and Durham(link is external) claim three of the state’s largest reservoirs as backyard amenities with hiking trails, swimming areas and boating access at Lake Norman(link is external), Falls Lake(link is external) and Jordan Lake(link is external). Travelers can also find boat rentals and lake-related services in Mooresville(link is external), Cornelius(link is external), Wake Forest(link is external) and other towns near the banks. Mountains add beauty and a breeze as they rise behind recreation-rich W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir(link is external) in Wilkesboro(link is external) and Lake James(link is external) between Morganton(link is external) and Marion(link is external).

As the highway reaches the Blue Ridge Mountains, cool-weather expectations rise and are usually met at the highest elevations. Temperatures in Cashiers(link is external), Highlands(link is external) and the Blue Ridge Parkway’s High Country(link is external) towns generally top out in the 70s while other places might see the mercury climb. Whenever a hotter-than-wanted day arrives, relief can be found in north-flowing rivers such as the Nantahala, the French Broad, the Green and the New, where whitewater rafting, tubing, kayaking and fly fishing mean refreshing splashes or full immersion. Rivers and tributaries also account for hundreds of waterfalls, some of which create old-fashioned swimming holes(link is external) and a natural waterslide or two. Another way to appreciate a cool flow of water: sluicing for gems(link is external) at mountain mines.

For more inspiration and helpful details for mapping a cool summer trip, stop by VisitNC.com(link is external).

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