North Carolina

Exploring Raleigh-Durham, NC - Asheville Day Trip - Day 3 and 4

On our third day, we decided to take a day trip to Asheville, a charming mountain town in western North Carolina.

Farm Burger

Our first stop was Farm Burger, a popular farm-to-table restaurant that specializes in locally sourced burgers and fries.

farm burger asheville north carolina
farm burger asheville north carolina
farm burger asheville north carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway

After fueling up, we hit the road and drove along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, taking in the stunning mountain views along the way. It is a scenic drive that runs 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains.

blue ridge parkway north carolina
blue ridge parkway north carolina
blue ridge parkway north carolina
blue ridge parkway north carolina panoramic

Along the way, there are stunning views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and valleys with numerous opportunities for hiking, picknicking and enjoying the great outdoors.

Bull Gap Trail

blue ridge parkway north carolina hiking
blue ridge parkway north carolina hiking
blue ridge parkway north carolina hiking
blue ridge parkway north carolina hiking
blue ridge parkway north carolina

Linville Falls

We stopped at Linville Falls, a beautiful waterfall that cascades down the rocks into a picturesque pool below. We hiked along the trails and took in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains, marveling at the natural beauty of the area.

linville falls blue ridge parkway north carolina
linville falls blue ridge parkway north carolina
linville falls blue ridge parkway north carolina
linville falls blue ridge parkway north carolina

Linn Cove Viaduct

Our next stop was the Linn Cove Viaduct, a unique architectural feature of the Blue Ridge Parkway that winds through the mountains and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina
linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina
linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina
linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina

We walked along the viaduct, taking in the stunning views of the mountains.

linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina
linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina
linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina
linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina
linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway north carolina

Pompieri Pizza

After a full day of exploring, we ended the night with a delicious pizza from Pompieri Pizza, a popular local spot that specializes in Neopolitan-style wood fired pizza. We grabbed our pies to-go and enjoyed them in the comfort of our hotel room, savoring every delicious bite.

pompieri pizza durham north carolina

Guglhupf Bakery

On our fourth and final day in Raleigh-Durham, we started the morning with breakfast at Guglhupf Bakery, a German-inspired bakery that offers a variety of delicious pastries and coffee drinks. We enjoyed our final meal in the area before catching our flight back home, already planning our next trip to this charming corner of North Carolina.

guglhupf bakery durham north carolina
guglhupf bakery durham north carolina
guglhupf bakery durham north carolina
guglhupf bakery durham north carolina

Exploring Raleigh-Durham, NC - Wedding! - Day 2

Our second day in Raleigh-Durham was just as exciting as the first, filled with plenty of delicious food, stunning sights, and unforgettable experiences.

Press

To kick things off, we started our morning with a visit to Press, a charming coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Durham. Here, we indulged in some of the best coffee in the city, accompanied by a selection of fresh pastries and baked goods. The cozy and inviting atmosphere of the café made for the perfect way to start our day.

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press coffee durham north carolina
press coffee durham north carolina
press coffee durham north carolina
press coffee durham north carolina
press coffee crepe durham north carolina
press coffee crepe durham north carolina
press coffee crepe durham north carolina
press coffee crepe durham north carolina
press coffee crepe durham north carolina

Brightleaf Square

After coffee, we took a leisurely walk to Brightleaf Square, a historic shopping and entertainment district that is home to some of the best restaurants and boutiques in Durham. These red-brick buildings were constructed in 1904 by the American Tobacco Company and are now revitalized with local boutiques, restaurants, and bars all within walking distance of each other. We spent some time exploring the charming streets and checking out the local shops and eateries.

brightleaf square durham north carolina
brightleaf square durham north carolina
brightleaf square durham north carolina

9th Street Bakery

Our next stop was 9th Street Bakery, a local favorite that offers a variety of baked goods, sandwiches, and pastries. We grabbed a few snacks here, savoring the flavors of fresh-baked bread and locally-sourced ingredients.

9th street bakery durham north carolina
9th street bakery durham north carolina

Linda and Mitch’s Wedding at Namu

The highlight of our day was undoubtedly Linda's wedding. The intimate ceremony was held in a beautiful outdoor setting in Namu’s garden, surrounded by lush greenery and an expansive garden. It was a joyous occasion filled with laughter, love, and plenty of memorable moments.

wedding namu durham north carolina
wedding namu durham north carolina
wedding namu durham north carolina
wedding namu durham north carolina
wedding namu durham north carolina
wedding namu durham north carolina
wedding namu durham north carolina
wedding namu durham north carolina

The Roof at The Durham

After the wedding, we ended the night with a visit to The Roof at The Durham Hotel. This rooftop bar offers breathtaking views of the city skyline, along with a selection of craft cocktails and small bites. It was the perfect way to cap off an unforgettable day.

the roof durham hotel north carolina
the roof durham hotel north carolina
the roof durham hotel north carolina

Exploring Raleigh-Durham, NC - Day 1

We had the pleasure of visiting Raleigh-Durham for my friend Linda’s wedding, and decided to make a weekend trip out of it to explore all that Raleigh-Durham had to offer. From the exciting food and drink scene to the city’s fascinating history and natural beauty, there was no shortage of things to see and do.

Transfer Co Food Hall

As soon as we landed, Transfer Co Food Hall was the first stop. With over tons of vendors in an early 1900s building, the food hall offers a diverse range of cuisine from all over the world. We grabbed a quick bite to eat, which was the perfect pick-me-up after the flight.

transfer co food hall raleigh north carolina
transfer co food hall raleigh durham north carolina

The space itself is modern and inviting, with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and communal tables throughout the hall.

transfer co food hall raleigh durham north carolina

Chhote’s

transfer co food hall raleigh durham north carolina

Dank Burrito

transfer co food hall raleigh durham north carolina
transfer co food hall raleigh durham north carolina

21c Museum Hotel

After filling up on delicious food, we made our way to the 21c Museum Hotel in Durham. This contemporary art museum is housed in a historic bank building, complete with a restored bank vault. The vault’s intricate architecture and design was fascinating and it was definitely a unique experience to be inside it.

21c museum hotel bank vault durham north carolina
21c museum hotel bank vault durham north carolina
21c museum hotel bank vault durham north carolina

Bar Virgile and Annexe

To cap off our first night in Raleigh-Durham, we headed to Bar Virgile and Annexe for some drinks and food. Bar Virgile is a cocktail bar with a laid back and cozy vibe, the perfect date spot. We ended up in the sister basement bar Annexe, which is a more casual space that has a variety of small plates to complement the drinks. This was the perfect way to unwind for the end of our first day.

bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar
bar virgile annexe durham north carolina bar

Crispy friend oysters and wild mushrooms