A weekend | Salt and Summit

Coast, day 1

Cross the bridge and walk the strand near your access. Watch the evening light, which is the whole point of a place called Sunset Beach and is just as good on the other three islands. If you're on Sunset Beach and the weather is fair, the Bird Island walk to the Kindred Spirit mailbox is the better use of the afternoon than trying to see a second town. It's about 2.8 miles round trip from the 40th Street access.

Coast, day 2

One landmark is enough. On Ocean Isle or Holden, that's the pier, if it's open. On Oak Island, it's the lighthouse grounds in neighboring Caswell Beach, and Southport's riverfront if you still want a town that isn't a beach. Eat on the mainland. This guide doesn't have a verified restaurant list, so a missing name is a gap, not a recommendation.

Mountains, day 1

Use the Blue Ridge Parkway between Blowing Rock and Moses Cone. Walk a carriage trail or the shore of Price Lake. Stop in Blowing Rock or Boone for supplies. If your lodging is in Banner Elk or on Beech, do the Emerald Outback or Wildcat Lake instead of spending the day in the car.

Mountains, day 2

One bigger outing: Linville Falls, a Grandfather Mountain State Park trail, or the Mile High Swinging Bridge if you're willing to pay the attraction's admission. In winter, replace the hikes with a ski day at the resort that matches your town, and don't depend on the Parkway being open.