Fall Travel Chimney Rock Park is 25 miles southeast of Asheville Nearly 700,000 people visit the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro each year

Here's our list of 20 great getaways  you can enjoy for just a few dollars  and a few gallons of gas Ava Gardner Museum 325 E. Market Street, Smithfield, N.C. 27577 Phone: 919-934-5830 Web: www.avagardner.org  Battleship North Carolina Battleship Drive, Eagles Island, Wilmington, N.C. 28401 Phone: 910-251-5797 Web: www.battleshipnc.com  Bentonville Battlefield 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, N.C. 27524 Phone: 910-594-0789 Web: www.bentonvillebattlefield.nchistoricsites.org  Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, N.C. 28731 Phone: 828-693-4178 Web: www.sandberg.org  Chimney Rock Park U.S. 64/74A, Chimney Rock, N.C. 28720 Phone: 800-277-9611 Web: www.chimneyrockpark.com  Cumberland Knob Blue Ridge Parkway, Sparta at milepost 217.5 Phone: 336-657-3458 Web: www.blueridgeparkway.info  Duke Homestead 2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham, N.C. 27705 Phone: 919-477-5497 Web: www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/duke/duke.htm  Elizabeth II State Historic Site Downtown Waterfront, Manteo, N.C. 27954 Phone: 252-475-1500 Web: www.roanokeisland.com  Fort Dobbs Historic Site 438 Ft. Dobbs Road, Statesville, N.C. 28677 Phone: 704-873-5866 Web: www.visitstatesville.org  Grandfather Mountain U.S. 221 North, Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville, N.C. 28646 Phone: 800-468-7325 Web: www.grandfather.com  Linville Caverns Hwy. 221 North, Marion, N.C. 28752 Phone: 800-419-0540 Web: www.visitmcdowell.org  Moores Creek National Battlefield 200 Moores Creek Road, Currie, N.C. 28435 Phone: 910-283-5591 Web: www.nps.gov/mocr  North Carolina Zoo 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, N.C. 27205 Phone: 800-488-0444 Web: www.nczoo.org  North Carolina Pottery Center 250 East Avenue, Seagrove, N.C. 27341 Phone: 336-873-8430 Web: www.ncpotterycenter.com  N.C. Transportation Museum 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer, N.C. 28159 Phone: 877-628-6386 Web: www.NCTrans.org  Old Salem 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 Phone: 888-258-1205 Web: www.oldsalem.org  Reed Gold Mine 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, N.C. 28107 Phone: 704-721-4653 Web: www.reedmine.com  Somerset Place Historic Site 2572 Lake Shore Road, Creswell, N.C. 27928 Phone: 252-797-4560 Web: www.albemarle-nc.com/somerset  Tobacco Life Farm Museum Hwy. 301 North, Kenly, N.C., 27542 Phone: 919-284-3431 Web: www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org  Wright Brothers National Memorial 800 Colington Road, Hwy 158, MP 7.5, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 27948 Phone: 252-441-7430 Web: www.nps.gov/wrbr

Inexpensive  But Thrilling By Bill F. Hensley It’s the easiest thing in the world to strike up a conversation with visitors to North Carolina. All you have to do is ask one or two questions (“How do you like it here?” “What have you seen?”) and they will talk for as long as you’re willing to listen, usually about our many nationally-known travel attractions. They’ll go on and on about the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville and its Biltmore House and Grove Park Inn, the Outer Banks, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Pinehurst, to name a few. Year after year, the numbers of visitors at these and other hot spots spiral upward and their prestigious reputations continue to be enhanced. As residents of this variety vacationland, we’re truly blessed because we’re within easy driving distance of these marquee attractions — plus we know when to go to best avoid the masses. Moreover, we have knowledge of dozens of other not quite as well-known places that tourists likely wouldn’t have budgeted the time to visit. So the millions of tourists who come her each year don’t know what they’re missing — yet. “Our state is rich with wonderful museums, historic sites and attractions that can be found in literally every county across this state,” says Lynn Minges, executive director of the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. “We are blessed as North Carolinians that we can have diverse and affordable travel experiences within a very short drive.” With North Carolina’s steady rise in tourism — we’re now the nation’s sixth most visited state — and with the greater emphasis on marketing all of our attractions, now may be a good time to spend a weekend at one of these “special places,” as Minges calls them. Even better, many of them require both little time and little money and are perfect for one-day excursions when price may be a factor. No matter where you live, from Murphy to Manteo, there’s something worth seeing that’s no too far away. What follows is a sampling of some places we think are perfect for an early fall getaway. For more information about these and North Carolina’s hundreds of other attractions, call Minges’ office at 800-VisitNC or visit www.visitnc.com and request to have a free copy of the state’s official 184-page travel guide mailed to your home or office.

Mountain Getaways

Let’s begin our journey in the lush greenery of the mountains, where a half-dozen affordable destinations stand out as “must sees.”

Grandfather Mountain in Linville, the state’s second highest mountain behind Mt. Mitchell, offers a mile-high swinging bridge, majestic views, a unique nature museum, a well-planned animal habitat with bears, deer, eagles, otters and cougars, and a variety of hiking trails over the rugged peaks. Admission costs are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages four to 12.

Throughout the year, there are such crowd-pleasing events as the Highland Games and Singing on the Mountain that draw countless participants and spectators from far and near, many of whom get there via the famed Blue Ride Parkway and the architecturally significant Linn Cove Viaduct.

Also in the area are the Linville Caverns — with an underground stream, stalagmites and stalactites — and the Linville Gorge wilderness area, a 12,000-acre wilderness that includes such unusual rock formations as Hawksbill, Table Rock, Sitting Bear, the Chimneys and Shortoff.

 There is plenty of isolated room for hiking, camping and nature explorations, along with treks to Linville Falls. There are no fees.

A few miles away on the Parkway, at milepost 217 in the Low Gap area of Surry County, is Cumberland Knob, a delightful hiking and picnic spot with enough spectacular views to satisfy any soul.

Take the half-mile trail for a lazy-day walk in this sanctuary of forests, wildflowers and wildlife that towers over quiet valleys below. And it’s all free.

The Parkway, incidentally, which covers 469 miles through the North Carolina mountains — from the Virginia line to near Cherokee — has been proclaimed as the nation’s most scenic drive with stunning vistas around every curve. There are no tolls, but accommodations and roadside services and conveniences are limited.

Southeast of Asheville, overlooking massive Lake Lure, is Chimney Rock Park. This natural scenic attraction is open all year and offers commanding views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Be sure to take the elevator that was built through solid rock to the top of this unusual site. An admission fee of $14 for adults and $6 for children from 4 to 12, is in effect.

At the Carl Sandburg Home — which he called Connemara — in Flat Rock, near Hendersonville, guests pay $3 for a tour of the home of the renowned poet, biographer, folksinger and lecturer. Holders of the Golden Age, Gold Eagle, Golden Access or National Park passes are admitted free.

The house is simple, yet elegant, and reveals the low-key lifestyle of the famous man who championed those who did not have words or power to speak for themselves.

Located on a 262-acre tract, the site consists of five miles of hiking trails, historic buildings and a small goat herd that Sandburg enjoyed tending. Tours of the house are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on Christmas day.

A Midwesterner, Sandburg died in 1967 after having lived in his mountain retreat for 22 years. His legacy and vast literary accomplishments live after him at Connemara.


Puttering Around the Piedmont

In the bustling Piedmont, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is a major attraction that has provided wholesome family enjoyment, entertainment and education for several decades. For a mere $10 for adults, $6 for seniors, college students and children, visitors can explore the wilds of Africa, Australia and North America without leaving Randolph County.

The popular facility is home to more than a thousand animals — from cockatoos to elephants — that are housed in open, natural environments conducive to their welfare. Name an animal and more than likely it can be found in this rolling, secluded site in the middle of the state. In addition, visitors will find more than 1,500 plant species.

The zoo is ideal for school groups as well as family outings, and there are plenty of picnic facilities and rest areas throughout the widespread area, which is one of the nation’s largest walk-through natural habitats.

Also in Asheboro is a free motorcycle museum, an aviation museum and a covered bridge that provide interesting side trips.

Just down the road is the growing village of Seagrove, home to many of the state’s most talented artisans and potters. The North Carolina Pottery Center houses permanent and changing exhibits on the history and traditions of pottery. Pick up a map of the area’s potters and head out to the more than 90 potteries in the area. There is a $3 charge for adults and $1 for students at the Center.

There are free tours of the historic Reed Gold Mine in Midland, south of Concord, but there is a $2 charge for gold panning in this mine that dates to 1799. Legend has it that Conrad Reed, a 12-year-old, found a 17-pound nugget and used it as a doorstop for three years before his father sold it for $3.50. The mine features underground tunnels for exploration, a visitors center with gold and mining exhibits and a film that covers the mine’s history.

The centerpiece of Winston-Salem is Old Salem, a restored Moravian Village that was founded in 1766. It is one of the nation’s most authentic and well-documented colonial sites with more than a hundred restored and reconstructed artisans’ buildings.

The visitors center serves as an orientation area and a gateway to the historic area. Costumed interpreters explain the lifestyle of the Europeans who resided there through 1840. Skilled trades such as, peutering, woodworking, pottery making, shoemaking and tailoring are demonstrated daily.

Be sure to visit the Old Salem gardens while you are there. Tickets may be purchased for one day or two days that allow access to four museums with prices in the $20 range.

North Carolinians have always taken great pride in their transportation, be it by horseback, wagon, automobile or train. That fact is clearly exhibited at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, a suburb of Salisbury. Admission to this interesting facility is free, but there is a charge if you wish to take a train ride.

A railroad hub, Spencer was home to what once was Southern Railway’s largest steam locomotive repair facility. The history of transportation comes alive here with a vast assortment of trains, antique cars and other transportation methods in a 57-acre, 13 building site that includes a restored roundhouse and exhibits on early transportation. You can learn much Tar Heel history in the Wagons, Wheels and Wings display that is sure to satisfy diehard railroad buffs.

The Fort Dobbs Historic Site in Statesville is where a strategic fort was located during the French and Indian War. An archaeological site, there are displays of the many artifacts that were found here. The fort was built in 1760 and was named for a Royal Governor, Arthur Dobbs. Admission is free but donations are accepted.

The city of Durham offers the Duke Homestead historic site and tobacco museum free of charge. This is an opportunity to see the Duke family’s mid-1800s home, tobacco barns and original factory. There are also living history demonstrations on farm life during the era.

Duke University’s beautiful campus nearby is an attraction unto itself and draws hundreds of visitors throughout the year.

Farther east, check out two historic battlefields at Moores Creek at Currie, northwest of Wilmington, and Bentonville at Four Oaks, near Smithfield.

Moores Creek is the site of one of the first Revolutionary War battles in the South, and marked the fist patriot victory. There is a museum that features an audio presentation, self-guided nature trails and a picnic area. Admission is free.

Bentonville was the site of the largest Civil War land battle to take place in the state. More than 80,000 Union and Confederate soldiers clashed there in a fierce battle. The wounded from both sides were treated at the nearby Harper House, and many battle artifacts are housed in the on-site museum.

When you’re in Four Oaks, you’re not far from Smithfield, which is home to a museum honoring renowned movie actress Ava Gardner. For a $5 fee (less for seniors and children), guests may see the various memorabilia — including film clips, costumes and scrapbooks — of one of the nation’s most glamorous stars who rocked the industry during the 1950s with marriages to musician Artie Shaw, singer Frank Sinatra and movie star Mickey Rooney. Her gravesite is nearby.

Also in Johnston County, in Kenly, is the enjoyable Tobacco Farm Life Museum. A 6,000-square foot exhibit hall showcases farm life, along with a special hands-on display for children. Household goods, musical instruments, farm tools and clothing are plentiful in a nostalgic visit to the past. There is also a restored farm house with a detached kitchen and smokehouse depicting life in the turbulent Great Depression era.


Cruising Along the Coast

Enroute to the famed Outer Banks, a national treasure, you should stop off in Creswell at Somerset Place for a free look at an authentic antebellum plantation that was built in 1785 and was in its heyday until the Civil War in 1865. Somerset is one of North Carolina’s most significant African-American heritage sites. It once encompassed more than a hundred thousand acres and was a prosperous rice, corn and wheat plantation. At one time the owners — the Collins family — had more than 300 slaves, 80 of whom were brought over from their West African homeland because of their vast knowledge of rice cultivation. There are guided tours of the mansion and a reconstructed slave cabin.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial is one of many reasons to visit the Outer Banks and the National Seashore that is a focal point of the barrier islands.

Located in Kill Devils Hills at the spot of man’s first successful air flight on Dec.17, 1903, visitors relive the exploits of the Ohio brothers through museum exhibits and a video presentation. There are reproductions of a 1902 glider as well as the first plane on a controlled power flight. There is a $3 per person park entrance fee, but national park passes are accepted.

On the waterfront in downtown Manteo, travelers may brush up on 1585 history at the Elizabeth II Historic Site. See a 69-foot sailing boat, representative of those that first brought settlers to the new world, and experience shipboard life of the 16th century. Fees run from $5 to $8.

There are enough attractions on the Outer Banks to occupy even the most adventurous traveler. Climb the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, tour the Elizabethan Gardens and the Lost Colony Theater, visit the aquarium on Roanoke Island and bird watch all along the nationally-known land between the ocean and the Pamlico Sound.

North Carolinians were especially proud of their great battleship — the USS North Carolina — and its fabulous war record. The ship was retired and moved to Wilmington and has been a popular attraction for nearly five decades. Nine decks are open to explore on this legendary ship that brought home 15 battle stars. Admission prices range from $5 to $9.

Though this is a representative sampling of what’s available around the state that is free or has a low entry fee, it hardly scratches the surface of the many interesting things to see and do in the Tar Heel State.

There are scenic drives throughout the state, along with numerous state and national parks, forests and recreational areas. In addition, there is fishing and boating, golf and hiking, cycling and camping, dozens of lighthouses, waterfalls and mountains, and enough museums to cover the vibrant past of a state whose history and heritage are colorful and dynamic.