8 days in North Carolina Itinerary

Highlands is an incorporated town in Macon County in the U.S. On the 27th (Fri), look for gifts at Porters Coffee House, contemplate the long history of Sky Valley Overlook, then take in the dramatic scenery at Dry Falls, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Whiteside Mountain.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Highlands online road trip planner .

Los Angeles to Highlands is an approximately 9.5-hour combination of flight and car. You can also do a combination of flight, bus, and car; or drive. You'll lose 3 hours traveling from Los Angeles to Highlands due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Los Angeles in December, things will get slightly colder in Highlands: highs are around 54°F and lows about 32°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Bryson City.

The location of an old Cherokee village, Bryson City embraces a quiet side of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Visiting Newfound Gap Road and Alum Cave Trail will get you outdoors. Explore hidden gems such as Mount LeConte and Museum of the Cherokee Indian. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Bryson City: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Rockefeller Memorial, Chimney Tops Trail, & more).

For ratings, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read Bryson City vacation builder website .

Drive from Highlands to Bryson City in 1.5 hours. In December in Bryson City, expect temperatures between 54°F during the day and 32°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Mon) so you can go by car to Asheville.

Asheville nestles between two major mountain ranges in the scenic western section of North Carolina.

Kick off your visit on the 31st (Tue): contemplate the long history of Grovewood Village, see the interesting displays at Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica of Saint Lawrence. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the exciting artwork at Lexington Glassworks, take in the exciting artwork at New Morning Gallery, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, then examine the collection at Asheville Pinball Museum, and finally view the masterpieces at Woolworth Walk.

To find ratings, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Asheville road trip planning site .

You can drive from Bryson City to Asheville in 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 54°F in December, and nighttime lows around 35°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Raleigh.

For those not from the South, Raleigh might be one of the region's better-kept travel secrets.

On the 2nd (Thu), see the interesting displays at North Carolina Museum of History, then get curious at Marbles Kids Museum, and then explore the world behind art at North Carolina Museum of Art.

Make your Raleigh itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by car from Asheville to Raleigh takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 50°F in January, and nighttime lows around 31°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) so you can travel back home.