Raleigh, NC, is near several other cities with exciting attractions and scenic drives. If you’re a motorcyclist, planning a day trip from Raleigh can allow you to experience the surrounding attractions and spend a day cruising on your bike.
Raleigh to Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina, is a port city known for its historic attractions and proximity to the Cape Fear River. The Wilmington Riverwalk is a strip lined with restaurants, shops, and art galleries, offering the perfect destination for a day trip.
If you’re a history buff, you can visit a few attractions around Wilmington that showcase the city’s history. For example, the downtown Historic District features 18th-century architecture and prominent historical buildings. You can tour the antebellum Bellamy Mansion or the Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary in this district.
Meanwhile, the Cape Fear Museum of History is the oldest history museum in North Carolina. This museum features a range of exhibits relating to Wilmington’s culture, history, and science.
The drive from Raleigh to Wilmington is peaceful and pleasant. You can follow these steps to get to Wilmington on your motorcycle:
- Begin on NC-55 South.
- Take NC-55 to Dunn.
- Pick up NC-50 South in Newton Grove through Holly Ridge.
- Take US-17 South to US-421 North.
This route is mostly country roads, making it one of the most scenic motorcycle day trips from Raleigh NC.
Raleigh to Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is one of North Carolina’s smaller metropolises, with a population of just over 60,000. This town is home to one of the main campuses of the University of North Carolina. It also has a range of art exhibits and natural attractions you can enjoy on a day trip from Raleigh.
The North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill features 2,500 plant species native to North Carolina. These 1,000-acre gardens are free to visit and provide a scenic destination for your day trip.
If you’re an art enthusiast, you may enjoy the Ackland Art Museum in this city. This museum is also free to visit and features a range of artistic styles from European and American artists.
While Chapel Hill is pretty much a straight shot from Raleigh along I-40, you can turn this trip into a scenic motorcycle ride by following these directions:
- Head west on Farrington Rd for 18 miles.
- Continue onto Mt Carmel Church Rd for 11 miles.
- Turn right onto US-15 N.
- Turn left into downtown Chapel Hill.
This scenic ride will take you just under an hour, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the Chapel Hill attractions for an afternoon. Better yet, it passes through several small towns and includes plenty of open road to make for a pleasant motorcycle ride.
Raleigh to Durham
Durham is a major North Carolina city with a population of 276,000. This city is home to Duke University, numerous museums, gardens, and educational opportunities. It’s a part of the Research Triangle Region, showcasing its involvement in worldwide research efforts.
Durham offers plenty of attractions for to enjoy. You can:
- Learn something new at the Museum of Life and Science.
- Go for a hike at the Eno River State Park.
- Visit the Duke University campus.
- Walk around the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
- Browse the Nasher Museum of Art.
You can take Pleasant Drive for much of the route from Raleigh to Durham. This beautiful country road offers views of North Carolina countryside and passes through a few small towns.
We hope you enjoy these motorcycle day trips from Raleigh NC next time you’re in the area.
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