Easy day trips from Charlotte

With winter in full force, short, frigid days often make us want to escape during the month of January. The southeastern U.S. is one of the best destinations to escape to. If taking a long weekend jaunt to Charlotte, these are a few day-trip options from the Queen City.

Atlanta: Although one of the longer day trips from Charlotte, Atlanta offers a lot of great attractions that can make for a packed day. If you don’t want to go all the way into Atlanta, Stone Mountain is on the north side, and visitors can easily spend an entire day there. In downtown Atlanta, travelers can park and walk to several attractions, including Atlanta’s renowned aquarium, the adjacent Coca Cola Museum, and the CNN Center.

Asheville: Asheville is a favorite among many travelers to North Carolina. What many consider the crown jewel of North Carolina, Asheville features the best of both worlds, with rolling hills and a vibrant city center. Asheville features some of the best dining and nightlife in the city.

Boone: Boone is similar to Asheville, but much smaller. While Asheville has a lot of the urban attractions, Boone is North Carolina’s best skiing destination. Off the beaten path, Boone offers the cozy, mountainous ambiance you won’t find from the other day trips from Charlotte.

Greenville: A straight line from Charlotte, Greenville has quickly grown as a popular city among some of the smaller destinations. The highlight of Greenville is the new Main Street district, which features diverse restaurants and pubs. With the Blue Ridge Mountains painting the horizon, Greenville makes for a pleasant backdrop.

Columbia: The largest city in South Carolina, Columbia is a short drive down I-77 from Charlotte. The state capital is often a popular gathering spot with travelers, as here you’ll find many of Columbia’s museums and green spaces. The Five Points District is a new up-and-coming dining and nightlife area of Columbia that is popular among locals.