The Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Hubert, North Carolina

The road trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Hubert, North Carolina is a delightful adventure, offering stunning landscapes and unique tourist attractions. With a distance of around 176 miles, this trip can be completed in approximately four hours, with a scenic halfway point in Newton Grove, NC.

Explore the North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo, located in Asheboro, NC, is one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the world, with over 1,500 animals from 225 different species. The zoo offers various nature trails to stroll through, with animals roaming in their habitats. Visitors have an opportunity to observe rare animals such as ocelots, Baird’s tapirs, and sand cats.

> Fun Fact: The North Carolina Zoo is also the first in the world to exhibit captive red wolves.

Visit the Birthplace of Pepsi

The city of New Bern, NC, is home to the Birthplace of Pepsi, where visitors can taste the original formula of this popular soft drink and learn about its 100-year-old history. The site also features historical exhibits on Caleb Davis Bradham, the man behind Pepsi-Cola.

> Fun Fact: The Pepsi “Cola” name comes from one of its primary ingredients, pepsin.

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic drive through the Appalachian Mountains, from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. This 469-mile-long road trip route offers beautiful mountain views, as well as opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping.

> Fun Fact: The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited destination within the National Park System.

Visit the USS North Carolina Battleship

The USS North Carolina Battleship, located in Wilmington, NC, was commissioned in 1941 and served the United States during World War II. Today, visitors can tour the battleship and learn about the life of sailors in wartime. The battleship also features artifacts and exhibits that showcase North Carolina’s role in WWII.

> Fun Fact: The USS North Carolina Battleship served in every major naval offensive in the Pacific during WWII.

Explore Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle is a beautiful coastal town located on the southern Outer Banks, with pristine beaches and mesmerizing views of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can spend the day soaking up the sun, fishing, or kayaking. Emerald Isle is also home to various water parks and mini-golf courses.

> Fun Fact: Emerald Isle was once named "Pumpkin Island" due to the abundance of pumpkins that washed up on its shores in the 1700s.

The route from Chapel Hill to Hubert offers a perfect mix of scenic beauty, history, and adventure for any traveler. The trip is approximately four hours, with a midway break in Newton Grove, NC. Visitors can make a stop at each of these highlighted destinations to enjoy their unique attractions and cultural significance.