Best City to Visit in North Carolina in August?

[u/NebraskaStockMarket]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are planning our first trip to North Carolina this August and would love some advice! We're flying in from Nebraska and will be staying for about 3 to 4 days. We're trying to decide which city to visit and would appreciate your recommendations.

1. Wilmington
2. Raleigh
3. Charlotte
4. Asheville
5. Nags Head
6. Or is there another city with a good-sized airport that you think we should consider?

We’re interested in exploring local attractions, enjoying good food, and experiencing the unique vibe of each city. Any tips on must-see spots, hidden gems, or great places to eat would be fantastic.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[u/WashuOtaku]

It's going to be hot, so best to either be in the mountains, Asheville, or on the beach, Nags Head (which is not a city), where it will be cooler.

[u/CCthree → u/WashuOtaku]

I second this—and want to add that technically, Asheville is the “foothills” and is still super hot in august. Better visit a mountain town like Boone, West Jefferson or Blowing Rock if you want to visit a high-altitude and cooler mountain destination

[u/DemonicDevice → u/CCthree]

Asheville isn't in the foothills lmao. It's solidly in the mountains and has an elevation over 2000 feet. It's less than 20 miles from Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi.

[u/Plastic_Highlight492 → u/DemonicDevice]

It's all elevation, though. When it's really hot, 2000 feet is hot. We sweltered in Asheville last July, but were cool at higher elevations. Try Bryson City.

[u/CCthree → u/DemonicDevice]

That is considered the hills btw. Asheville is down mountain from other higher areas nearby. Also It is still hot at 2000 ft. I guess regionally if you say “the mountains” Asheville is situated near them, but altitude wise and in comparison to other areas, like parts of Mitchell County, is in the hills of these mountains. Mt. Mitchell is more than an hour away from Asheville and over 30 miles. Lots of elevation changes happen in between.

[u/DemonicDevice → u/CCthree]

It's not situated on a mountaintop, but it's certainly in the mountains. The foothills is a different region - think Hickory, Lenoir, Morganton, Shelby, etc

[u/eelyssa → u/CCthree]

Had a long August weekend in Ashe County a couple years ago - weather was great and it’s beautiful. Boone and Blowing Rock are solid choices. From the original list, would only maybe pick Nags Head but watch the Atlantic.

[u/One_Equivalent_9302 → u/CCthree]

This is true and my first thought when I read Asheville as a suggestion. It’s a kooky little town but still very warm in summer, as is most of Western NC.

Blowing Rock is very cute, has some nice shopping, and hiking areas. It’s north on HWY 321, south of Boone.

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/WashuOtaku]

Thank you much!

[u/goldbman → u/[deleted]]

We are also a red state

[u/Admirable_Ad2891 → u/goldbman]

Purple

[u/SquashDue502]

Boutta die going to Wilmington or Raleigh in August. I lived there and I didn’t even go outside in August 😂

I remember a few years ago I went to the beach on 4th of July and it was so damn hot it was miserable even with a breeze lol

[u/curryp4n]

Avoid Raleigh or Charlotte. It will be the devil’s swampy ass in Aug. it’s already pretty terrible in Raleigh. I suggest Asheville

[u/MelancholyMononoke → u/curryp4n]

I go to Vegas in a week and am looking forward to 110 degrees at low humidity lol

Even Asheville can be swampy

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/curryp4n]

Haha 110 that's pretty toasty. So i'm assuming North Carolina is pretty humid?

[u/slowlygoingcrazy9622 → u/NebraskaStockMarket]

Very! The temperature isn’t that bad but when it’s paired with humidity, it feels like at least an extra 10 degrees hotter. If you are a beach person, the ocean makes it worth it and the sea breeze can keep it tolerable feeling. The mountains have the lowest humidity on the state and it is always pretty up there. To be honest, the middle of our state should be avoided unless you are looking for a job haha

[u/curryp4n → u/NebraskaStockMarket]

Super. If you’ve ever been, it’s very similar to Singapore or India or Asia in general during the monsoon season

[u/[deleted]]

Not Charlotte or Raleigh. Head for the mountains or coast

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/[deleted]]

Thanks

[u/yourdoglikesmebetter]

Fayetteville probably

[u/HoppyToadHill]

Go to Boone. See the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain.

[u/thatBneedsaDintheC]

Depends on hurricanes

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/thatBneedsaDintheC]

Very True

[u/r_not_me]

OP - where are you flying into?

If undecided - I agree with the recommendations for the mountains (but keep in mind these are NOT the Rockies). For that a 3-4 day trip (basically a long weekend) try to fly into Greenville, SC and then drive up to Asheville. From there you could drive the Blue Ridge parkway and stay a night in Little Switzerland and explore Linville Falls and Caves, then drive up to Boone and West Jefferson (West Jefferson is the smaller more mountainy town.) Boone has grown up around App State college and not exactly a charming town anymore but Blowing Rock could be a good alternative.

However, with Nebraska being landlocked, you may enjoy a coastal experience and flying into Greenville, SC may be difficult as it’s a smaller airport. So, fly into RDU and take the more scenic drive to Morehead City / Atlantic Beach / Beaufort area (about 3hrs drive).

That drive will take you through some neat smaller towns like Kinston, NC which is where Jamie Presley is from and home to Mother Earth Brewing and some good restaurants to stop at. From Kinston you will get to New Bern, NC that has a lot of history and was already mentioned as a good example of North Carolina and is also the birthplace of Pepsi Cola. From New Bern you will drive through Havelock, NC which is home to MCAS Cherry Point and HQ of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. This will also give you an idea of what many of NC’s military towns are like. Then you’ll come to a blink and you’ll miss it town of Newport, NC which has a great smaller brewery called Shortway Brewing. Finally you’ll have Morehead City which leads to either Beaufort or Atlantic Beach.

From here you can take a ferry to see Shackelford Banks and maybe see its wild horses and enjoy the beach. You could also take a ferry to see Cape Lookout Lighthouse to see one of North Carolina’s famed lighthouses. This area also has good restaurants, bars, and history. Beaufort has a free maritime museum which covers a lot of the pirate history of the area which includes being home base for Blackbeard.

[u/foggybass → u/r_not_me]

Fantastic recommendations

[u/floofnstuff]

August in NC is steamy- whew.

I’d go to the mountains Boone, Cashiers, West Jefferson. Or even further off the beaten path but close to a place with some good cooking. Then take in Blue Ridge Parkway and one hike to a waterfall-Looking Glass Falls is always a favorite.

Welcome to NC!

[u/Full-Photo5829]

Raleigh and Charlotte are incredibly boring; no reason to visit. Additionally, they will be very hot at that time of year.

[u/peyofthedead]

NCTripping.com is your best resource for many of these questions

[u/Routine-Passenger-20]

I would second Blowing Rock, northwest NC would be much cooler in August than most other places

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/Routine-Passenger-20]

Thank you

[u/thewaybaseballgo]

I'd just go to Wilmington and hit up the beach cities around it.

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/thewaybaseballgo]

Thanks for the info. How big is Wilmington? Does it have good bars and restaurants?

[u/thewaybaseballgo → u/NebraskaStockMarket]

The metro area is around 450,000. Yes, there are probably good restaurants and bars in the area. It’s a big metro area.

[u/DropTopEWop]

Mountains

[u/Fleecelined]

Highlands is at an elevation of 4118 and is a temperate rain forest, so it’s generally cooler than most. The nearest airports are Asheville and Greenville Spartanburg.

[u/adv_cyclist]

How to tell people you're thinking of moving to N.C. without letting on to the locals that you're thinking of moving to N.C...

Lumberton is your answer.

[u/Boomslang505]

Easy, Wilmington. If it get to hot just jump on the ferry to Ashville.

[u/Organic-Lie4759]

Myrtle Beach and Charleston are the best, bar none.

[u/Bliss_seeker88]

Highlands, Brevard, Beech Mnt

When it gets hot, get high.

[u/Kooky-Plastic9294]

Haw River

[u/Stewpacolypse]

Lumberton or Fayetteville

[u/betweenthecastles]

Depends on what you’re interested in doing. I suggest mountains, and set aside some time to go white water rafting

[u/MrWaltMitty]

Why?

[u/barkeepbill]

New Bern

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/barkeepbill]

Tell me more?

[u/barkeepbill → u/NebraskaStockMarket]

New Bern would be a good place to visit if you want to get a feel for North Carolina.

If you want to visit a generic mid-sized city, go to Raleigh or Charlotte. They feel like every other mid-sized city in the US, and half the people living there aren’t really from North Carolina.

edit: New Bern is only about 45 minutes from the coast, so you could take a day trip down to Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle.

[u/mojokick]

Wilmington! Lived here since 2013, and I don't think I'm ever leaving! DM if you want some more specifics!

[u/NebraskaStockMarket → u/mojokick]

Can you share more details about Wilmington? It's our top choice among the five options!

[u/mojokick → u/NebraskaStockMarket]

Lots of fun things to do close by! You've got the battleship, along with a ton of great restaurants downtown along the Cape fear Riverwalk, lots of beaches close by (within 30-45 minutes or less of the city center there's Wrightsville, Carolina Beach, Topsail, and Kure). We have a couple museums. The Fort Fisher historic site in Kure Beach. Two great concert venues (may or may not have shows going on depending on the days you choose to come). Tons of bars (fancy and dive). A plethora of parks and recreation spaces. There's also a great axe throwing bar as well! Another great place to visit, about 40ish minutes from the Wilmington area is Southport, and that's accessible by simply driving, or you can take a ferry. Hope this helps!

[u/LaurenLdfkjsndf → u/mojokick]

And the Battleship! It’s probably not great in August, but neither is Fort Fisher

[u/mojokick → u/LaurenLdfkjsndf]

Fair enough 😅

Jungle rapids is pretty lit. Little water park and go karts. Though it'll be packed. Everything else will be busy too, no matter where you go though, so it comes out to a wash. Lol

[u/Ablindmancouldseedat]

Edenton NC

[u/jrose1818]

Asheville is amazing and there is so much to do there! Charlotte is also great but a lot bigger and a lot more crowded.