Daytrips Within 3 Hour Drive
When you just want to get away for a day, head for the North Carolina mountains or the coast - they're both so close to Mill Creek, it's easy to fill up on fun during a day trip.
Statewide, North Carolina has four distinct and enjoyable seasons, allowing you to immerse yourselves in the outdoor activities that you and your family love. (Don't worry about getting snowed in at Mill Creek; it snows just enough for novelty and then it melts away...)
But there's snow skiing in the mountains in winter; and in the summer, rhododendron blooms cover the landscape in a truly awesome color display. Fall lures many to the western part of the state for its gorgeous color tour. Waterfall country is in southwestern North Carolina, where you'll find breathtaking cascades.
More sports minded? Duke University in Durham is 21 miles from Mebane; it boasts its Blue Devils. The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill is a mere 18 miles away and has its Tar Heels. They are perennial national powers, but North Carolina State in Raleigh (45 miles from Mebane) has its Wolfpack to root for and Wake Forest in Winston-Salem has its Deacons - only 53.7 miles away. Professional football fans can follow the Carolina Panthers, based in Charlotte, and 112 miles away.
Crazy for NASCAR competition? The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame is in Mooresville, northeast of Charlotte.
North Carolina is also known for unparalleled boating and fishing, sailing or kayaking, which can be enjoyed on nearby lakes. The North Carolina mountains are an exceptional trout fishing haven with more than 3,000 miles of trout streams open to fishing throughout Western North Carolina.
Not in the mood for a day trip or want to relax after a busy out and about? Fish closer to home by kicking back at Lake Michael. Lake Michael Park is located one mile east of Mebane in Orange County. It is a beautiful 59-acre lake offering bass, crappie and bream fishing with two piers. Launch your own boat or rent a paddle boat or john boat for quality family time on the water.
Lake Michael isn't just for fishing. The whole family will enjoy the park's 200 acres with nature trails, picnic areas, restroom facilities, sand volleyball, special areas for tots, three large covered shelters and one small covered shelter.
Since Mill Creek is centrally located in the state, almost every fun destination is within a three-hour drive.
Go to western North Carolina for whitewater rafting, mountain biking and hiking, snow skiing, and scenic mountain drives.
Drive east for sailing on the open seas or sailing and boating on mile-wide rivers that pour into the NC sounds, surfing and windsailing, swimming and walking on the beach.
