Spring Break was around the corner and Conner and I wanted to plan the perfect adventure! After some research, we decided to make the beautiful state of North Carolina our spring break destination!

Stop 1: Before NC, we swung down to Gulf Shores, Alabama to begin our road trip. Gulf Shores is an adorable little beach town full of fun surf shops, delicious food, and a famously fun spot called The Hangout! Also, a must-try is Brick and Spoon for a yummy breakfast/brunch – it was absolutely delish! We got the beignets to start, hot coffees, an omelet and french toast. Here’s Conner enjoying his coffee!

While we were there, the majority of our time was spent on the beach… some much needed R&R after midterms week! Conner is from California so this wasn’t his first rodeo but for me as a native Texan, the beach is NOT my usual backyard. Conner jumped in the freezing cold water like it was nothing and was body surfing like a pro. I gave the surf my best shot but wasn’t as brave haha! There’s nothing like the feeling of warm sand on your toes, the smell of the ocean, and the sound of the waves. Here’s a few pictures!

Our last night there we went over to The Hangout and let me tell ya folks… that place is a HOOT! We were there on a Saturday night for dinner and they had a DJ, an Elvis impersonator, birthday celebrations, tabletop dance parties and even a live band! Not to mention… the food was delish.

Stop 2: After Gulf Shores it was time to head to Asheville, North Carolina! Once we got into NC I was so in awe of just how beautiful it was. Lush green landscapes, mountains and river rapids. Oh my, I was completely wanderlust.

We’re always on the look out for cute coffee shops as we are true caffeine connoisseurs. On our first morning in Asheville we grabbed our backpacks and headed to The Summit Coffee Co. to study. The Summit was so cozy and homey, you couldn’t help but nestle in. It was located right around the Asheville arts district so there were tons of funky wall murals for photo ops!

After the coffee kicked in we went EXPLORING! We drove to the Chimney Rock State Park for a picnic and hiked all the way up to Chimney Rock’s breathtaking overlook. The hike was beautiful and the trails were well-worn and very safe. On the way up to the top we got to see the waterfall at Chimney Rock and a bat cave (Conner really enjoyed that part haha). Many steps and water breaks later we made it to the top. It was SO rewarding. The view was absolutely amazing – we sat there for a while just to take it all in and enjoy each other’s company with the beautiful landscape stretched out before us. Here’s a few pics from the top of the rock!

The next morning we woke up and decided to try Liberty House Coffee and Café for breakfast. This precious little coffee shop was uniquely located right in the middle of a residential street. We both ordered iced Vietnamese coffee and of course, some avocado toast. After breakfast, we went to a few record shops downtown then hit the road again!

Stop 3: After Asheville, we headed down to Wilmington, NC! Our first morning in Wilmington consisted of a visit to Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods! This was our favorite coffee shop of the trip by far – it had amazing decorations, a delicious macchiato, and a laid-back relaxing vibe. We felt right at home and stayed a few hours to study. Yes, more studying… Conner is working on that engineering degree – can I get an Amen?! After we got our caffeine we headed straight to the beach for more sun and fun! Our favorite part of the Wilmington beach was looking at all the shells on the shore! What a lovely day it was!

The next day, bright and early, we went to Drift Coffee & Kitchen for a scrumptious brekky! The food was so fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor! We grabbed a coffee to-go and got in the car for the Wilmington Aquarium at Fort Fisher. This was a must-see as we are both huge fans of sea creatures. #jaws #nemo #byemrnarwhal

After the aquarium visit we came back to grab some dinner and check out THE bridge from One Tree Hill! Cue the theme song! I was a huge fan of this show in high school so it was only natural to go see it. I gotta say, all the memories came flooding back and I have been re-watching the series ever since. If you’re a fan like me the address for the bridge is: 694 N 6th St, Wilmington, NC.

That’s a wrap! The road trip back to Bama was full of good jams, The Porch podcasts, and great convos. This trip was hands down AMAZING. I would road trip with Conner anywhere!

I know we will both cherish the memories we made for a lifetime.

I hope this post gave you some ideas for your next trip to North Carolina! Have a blessed day!

ciao,

claire