11 Free or Cheap Things to Do This Summer

When planning a vacation or weekend getaway, sometimes you need to fill your trip with activities and events that are easy on the pockets. Here are some budget-friendly things to do this summer in North Carolina, from attending free festivals to camping at iconic locations.

Bask in Beach Behavior

Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington

Bask in Beach Behavior

North Carolina Coast

North Carolina’s 300 miles of barrier-island beaches provide the backdrop for unforgettable summer memories. Get ready for some fun in the sun.

 

Take in the View from Two Wheels

Blue Ridge Parkway

Take in the View from Two Wheels

Statewide

Our state offers a variety of biking options, from flat, easy rides along scenic beaches to rugged climbs up steep mountain trails. Whatever your mood and level of comfort on a bike, we've got a route to match.

 

Expand Your Mind

Out-of-focus woman walking through art gallery

Expand Your Mind

Statewide

Add culture to your trip at museums offering all kinds of rotating galleries, interactive exhibits, thought-provoking displays and historical attractions.

 

Park Up with Music, Movies & More

Large crowd of people sitting on lawn of park with Winston-Salem skyline in background

Park Up with Music, Movies & More

Statewide

Find tons of entertainment and events such as summer concert series, art in the park, outdoor yoga, film series and so much more across vibrant green spaces.

 

Watch the Sunrise

Beach chairs and umbrellas set up on empty beach as sun rises
Cape Hatteras

Watch the Sunrise

Statewide

Rise and shine, and start your adventure early at one of endless locations across North Carolina perfect for taking in a beautiful sunrise.

 

Have Fun Saturdays and Nights

Tryon International Equestrian Center

Have Fun Saturdays and Nights

Blue Ridge Foothills

Spend at least one Saturday this summer at Tryon International Equestrian Center. This sprawling entertainment complex in the foothills presents the Saturday Night Lights series, a free, family-friendly festival with carnival games, live music, food, shopping and world-class horse shows.

 

Score a Travel Deal

Brevard Court in Uptown Charlotte

Score a Travel Deal

Statewide

Plan your road trip and take advantage of significant savings. Search our travel deals for discounts on hotel and resort stays, golf outings and spa packages.

 

Chase a Waterfall – or 250 of Them

Looking Glass Falls

Chase a Waterfall – or 250 of Them

Western North Carolina

You may have never seen a waterfall in real life, or certainly not this many. Transylvania County is known as the “Land of Waterfalls” because of the more than 250 waterfalls spread throughout this area, about an hour from Asheville.

Please exercise caution and obey all rules and warnings posted near waterfalls.

 

Camping, Hiking, Kayaking, Fishing

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

Camping, Hiking, Kayaking, Fishing

State and National Parks

Break away from your mundane daily routines and explore the great outdoors of this state. Discover great places to set up a campsite for a few days, hike on scenic trails, kayak on a rapid river or fish on a quiet lake.

 

Go Sightseeing

Grandfather Mountain

Go Sightseeing

State and National Parks

Experience the amazing scenes inside our state and national parks. From Cape Hatteras National Seashore to Grandfather Mountain State Park, there's beauty all across North Carolina.

 

Plan a Perfect Picnic

Two friends sitting on mountain taking in long-range views and sunrise
Linville Gorge

Plan a Perfect Picnic

State Parks and Natural Areas

What better way to take in an eye-catching scene than to linger as long as you can? Choose one of our incredible spots to have a picnic, whether it's for the whole family or a romantic afternoon for two.

 

 

Updated May 2, 2023
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