ITINERARY

MG2012 NC Border Tour

This guide is for you to use to create your own MG adventure.  You may choose to follow the route below.  You can make the route open-ended and increase your stay at any one of the beautiful locations North Carolina has to offer.  The route below will take you around the border of the state of North Carolina, travel the whole way on the state’s Blue Ridge Parkway, and go from Murphy (the mountains) to Manteo (the sea).  HAVE FUN!

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS CONTACT:  

 RALEIGH AREA KICKOFF (Rolesville, NC) - Sunday, June 3


Pre Event - Sunday, June 3

PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES: 
  • Rolesville Concert in the Park 5:00-7:00 pm featuring the North Tower Band performing their beach music and catchy tunes. The concert is a part of the Town of Rolesville’s 175th Anniversary Celebration in 2012.   LOCATION: Main Street Park - Parking is at the BACK ENTRANCE of the park off Granite Falls Blvd, at the Sanford Creek Elementary School parking lot at Shelter D (which is also accessible off of Scarboro Street behind Sanford Creek Elementary School). There will be a special parking place for LBC's. This is a free concert.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be for sale.  For more information visit RolesvilleNC.gov.
  • After the concert, travel 1 block to Ron & Pat's home at 220 W Young St for a Noggin & Natter.
LINKS:
HOTEL:  Hampton Inn, Wake Forest, NC





DAY 1 – Monday, June 4 – START from Rolesville to Dobson/Mt Airy, NC
Estimated Distance:  230 miles

ROUTE:
Meet at Main Street Park in downtown Rolesville, NC between 8:00-8:45am.  We will have police assistance when we take off at 9am.  

There are 3 gas stations, 2 auto parts stores, and 5 fast food restaurants within two blocks of 
Rolesville's Main Street Park.  Expect local media to be present as this event will be a part of Rolesville’s 175th Anniversary celebration (http://rolesvillenc.gov/175th/).  LOCATION:  Main Street Park is at 200 S Main Street and is across the street from Rolesville Elementary School.

STARTING DIRECTIONS:  Take Hwy 401 north, then Hwy 96 north to Oxford, take Hwy 158 west to Roxboro, continue on Hwy 158 to Reidsville, travel on Hwy 65 and 704 and 89 to Madison, then Hwy 311 to Walnut Cove, then Hwy 89 to Danbury.  Drive to the Hanging Rock State Park Visitor's Office - take a short walk to waterfalls.  Afterwards go back down the mountain, turn left onto Moore's Spring Rd.  Take Hwy 66 and 268 west to Hwy NC 52 Bypass south toward Pinnacle.  In Pinnacle take the immediate 2nd right onto Old Winston Rd.  As you take the turn, you are looking ahead at Pilot Knob.  Travel Old Winston Rd to Pilot Mountain State Park and follow the signs to the top.  After Pilot Mountain go back to Hwy 52/I-74 north and drive to Mt Airy ---OR---go to the hotel in Dobson/Shelton Vineyards by taking NC 268 to 601 north.  
LUNCH SUGGESTIONS:
  • Danbury Grill - 201 N. Main St. adjacent to Danbury General Store; (336) 593-8797; Monday-Friday 6am - 3pm, Saturday & Sunday 7am - 5pm [Seasonal]; breakfast/lunch plates, sandwiches, fries, ice cream.
  • Dan River Family Restaurant - 1/2 mile south of Danbury on NC 8/89; (336) 593-2110; Monday-Friday 6:45am - 8:00pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am - 8pm; Large variety of family foods. 
  • OR have late lunch in Mt. Airy before seeing the town of “Mayberry” fame.


PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES:
- Also available is a tour of Eclectic Rods and Restorations.  Owner Ken Nicks does restorations and repairs to LBCs etc.  Hi shop is 15 minutes from the Hampton Inn in Jonesville, NC.  Ken has offered to show us around between 6 & 8:00pm.  Meet PJ Lenihan in the hotel parking lot at 5:30 pm to drive to the shop.  Eclectric Rods and Restorations, 134 Bluff St, Jonesville, NC


A – Hanging Rock State Park and Scenic Byway.  Park entrance is at the junction of Hanging Rock Park Road (SR 2015) and Moore’s Spring Road (SR 1001) which is between NC 8/89 east of the park and NC 66 west of the park.  See sheer cliffs, peaks of bare rock, quiet forests, cascading waterfalls (200 ft), views of piedmont plateau for miles.

B – Pilot Mountain State Park and Pilot Knob.  1792 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043
Pilot Mountain/Knob rises more than 1,400 feet above the rolling countryside of the upper Piedmont plateau.  Pilot Mountain is a remnant of the ancient Sauratown Mountains. A quartzite monadnock, this rugged mountain rock has survived for millions of years while the elements have eroded surrounding peaks to a rolling plain.

C – Mt Airy.  See the Andy Griffith Mayberry attractions.  There is an Andy Griffith Museum, Squad Car Tours, Floyd’s Barbershop, and much more.


HOTEL: Hampton Inn, Dobson, NC

WINERY:  Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane, Dobson, NC 27017 Tel: 336-366-4724  http://www.sheltonvineyards.com/

DINNER SUGGESTIONS:
  • Mt Airy downtown – There are more than 20 restaurants to choose from. 
  • Shelton Vineyards - The Harvest Grill at Shelton Vineyards Tel: (336) 366-3590
HAVE AN EMERGENCY?
  • Need a tow?  Call Independence Towing - Frank & Britney Shelton, 508 Independence Blvd, Mt Airy, NC
    Telephone:  Day 336-786-6630     Night 336-789-3734




DAY 2 – Tuesday, June 5 – Dobson/Mt Airy to Asheville
Estimated Distance:  220 miles

ROUTE:
Leave the Hampton Inn heading via Zephyr Rd to I-77 N.  Travel I-77 N to Exit #100/NC Hwy 89 (W Pine St), then via NC Hwy 18 W to the Blue Ridge Parkway (approx. BRP mile marker 220).  IF, IF the BRP is still closed due to construction, follow the detour signs along NC Hwy 18 and return to the BRP at Laurel Springs.  Lunch will be in Blowing Rock (exit the BRP approx. BRP mile marker 292).  After lunch travel the BRP south to south of Asheville (approx BRP mile marker 395) to the Biltmore Square Mall.  Stop at any/all scenic overlooks and Visitors Centers and other attractions and towns along the way.

PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES:
  • LUNCH –
    Foggy Rock Eatery& Pub     (828) 295-7262
    8180 Valley Blvd, Blowing Rock, NC  28605
           - Lunch anytime between 11:30 and 1:30    
             - DIRECTIONS FROM BRP:  Exit the BRP at US Hwy 221/321 S to the Town of Blowing Rock.  When you come to the Y-split for Hwy 221 and Hwy 321, stay on Hwy 321 which is also Valley Blvd, continue to the restaurant.
              - DIRECTIONS BACK TO BRP after lunch:  Travel Hwy 321 back to the BRP where we exited for lunch. 
Sights along the Blue Ridge Parkway website:  http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

HOTEL:  Hampton Inn, Asheville, NC

WINERY:  The Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in the USA:  http://www.biltmore.com/our_wine/default.asp

DINNER SUGGESTIONS: 

Asheville – Dinner Options
Several members of the British Car Club of Western North Carolina will be joining us at our hotel (Hampton Inn – Biltmore Square) for a beer and will then be joining us for dinner at Pack’s Tavern & Century Room in downtown Asheville.  Several members are MG enthusiasts and will be coming to MG2012, but the club is made up of an eclectic blend of all kinds of British car enthusiasts.  It should be a fun evening at a great restaurant.

MG EMERGENCY:
               If you have an MG emergency somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway, please give a call to Bob and Judy Futrell of Little Switzerland.  He has a car trailer, a well equipped garage with lift and some MG spare parts.  They are happy to assist and hope to be a part of the tour.  Call 828-385-3100.



DAY 3 – Wednesday, June 6 – Asheville to Murphy to Dillard, GA
Estimated Distance:  220 miles

ROUTE:
From the hotel at Biltmore Square Mall travel to the Blue Ridge Parkway on Hwy 191 (approx BRP mile marker 395).  Take the BRP all the way to the end (approx 75 miles) at Cherokee, NC.  From Cherokee take Hwy 19 and US 74 to Murphy - (see Planned Activity).  From Murphy travel to Dillard, Georgia on Hwy 19 and 64 towards Franklin then south on 23/441 direct into Dillard, Georgia.

LUNCH SUGGESTIONS:
  • ·         Lunch at Murphy - Doyle's Cedar Hill Restaurant, 925 Andrews Rd (US Hwy 19 Business) , Murphy, NC 28906   Tel:  828-837-3400

PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES:  
  • Picture of car at Murphy city limit sign.  This is an individual activity or small group activity.  This picture is your proof of the start of your trip from Murphy (the mountains) to the end at Manteo (the sea).

HOTEL:  MG2012 Hotels in Dillard, GA

DINNER SUGGESTIONS:  Dillard, Georgia



DAYS 4, 5, 6, 7 – Wednesday-Sunday, June 6-10 – MG2012 Dillard, Georgia
NAMGBR MG 2012 ACTIVITIES

SPECIAL NOTES:
  • MG 2012 in Dillard, Georgia  
  • Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) was born on 21 April, 1926 at 17 Bruton Street, London. Her birthday is officially celebrated in Britain on the second Saturday of June each year. The day is referred to as “the Trooping of the Colour”, the official name is “the Queen’s Birthday Parade”.
  • 2012 is the 50th anniversary of the MGB.



DAY 7 – Sunday, June 10 – Dillard, GA to Chimney Rock/Lake Lure, NC
Estimated Distance:  100 miles

ROUTE:
Take GA Hwy 246/NC Hwy 106 to Highlands, NC.  Then take NC Hwy 64 east Brevard, then to Flat Rock and on to Chimney Rock/Lake Lure.

LUNCH SUGGESTIONS:
Lunch Stop – Brevard
We’re stopping for lunch in the small town of Brevard located right in the middle of North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest and Gorges State Park, home to many of the state’s numerous waterfalls.   Our lunch destination is Dugan’s Pub located in historic Brevard which features gift shops, art galleries, antique stores, and much more.  From the 150-year-old barn wood and the Notre Dame memorabilia to the authentic Irish dishes and libations, you’ll find the rustic atmosphere at Dugan’s true to a classic Irish pub.  We’ll have plenty of time to look around at the genuine Irish treasures collected over time from their many visits to Ireland, antique stores and gifts from patrons.

    PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES: 
    •  Take group pictures before leaving Dillard MG 2012 car show.

    SIGHTSEEING OPTIONS:
    • If you did not do this while at Dillard, take side trips off Hwy 64 along the Waterfall Byway with about 200 waterfalls in the area.  Beginning north of Rosman, North Carolina, the byway route passes through lands full of scenic wonder and historical significance. Bridal Veil Falls is a spectacular, 120 foot drop into the Cullasaja River below and nearby Dry Falls derives its name from the fact that visitors can walk behind the falls without getting wet.
    • Whitewater Way - see some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Eastern United States - at the intersection of U.S. 64 and N.C. 281 in the village of Sapphire and south for 20 miles.
    • Side trip to Flat Rock – Carl Sandburg’s Home - Carl Sandburg’s (poet and author) home (US National Park site) located three miles south of Hendersonville, NC on Little River Road off of the Greenville Highway/Rt. 225 in Flat Rock, NC
    • Bat Cave - Western North Carolina is legendary for its spectacular scenery.  The Hickory Nut Gorge is nestled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mountain ranges. The Gorge was formed by the Rocky Broad River that begins in the higher elevations as a stream and winds its way down through craggy cliffs to the sparkling waters of Lake Lure.  This fourteen-mile long canyon encompasses the four picturesque townships of Gerton, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock Village, and Lake Lure.  All along the way are quaint places to shop and scenic places stop to explore in “the Jewel of the Carolinas,” along with a 404 ft waterfall.
    • Chimney Rock State Park - park facilities include a tunnel and elevator to the rock summit.  (Part of “Dirty Dancing” movie filmed here.  The rock was part of “The Last of the Mohicans” movie.)

    HOTEL:  Chimney Rock, NC

    DINNER SUGGESTIONS:  Local restaurants in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure





    DAY 8 – Monday, June 11– Chimney Rock/Lake Lure to Pinehurst/Southern Pines, Aberdeen
    Estimated Distance:  200 miles

    ROUTE:
    From the hotel in Chimney Rock/Lake Lure we suggest traveling an alternate route for today’s journey that includes a longer section of interstate roads so that we have additional time for lunch at the NASCAR speedway in Charlotte and a visit to the Hendrick Motorsports complex.   Otherwise, you may travel the back roads through small towns – your choice of routes below.

    Directions to speedway for lunch and visit Hendrick Motorsports:  From the hotel, take Hwy 64/Alt Hwy 74/NC Hwy 9 east to Hwy 74. Continue on US Hwy 74 all the way to I-85 North near Gastonia/Kings Mountain.  Continue north On I-85 to exit 49 Bruton Smith Blvd/Speedway Blvd and head south to Charlotte Motor Speedway. Our goal would be to arrive between 11:30 and noon for lunch overlooking the Speedway at the famous Speedway Club.  We will then head to Hendrick Motorsports complex for a tour at 1:30-3:00 pm.

    Directions for back roads and lunch at Charlotte Motor Speedway:  Go east on Hwy 64 to Rutherfordton.  Then take Hwy 74 east to Shelby, Hwy 150 then Hwy and 27 north and east to Lincolnton, then Hwy 27 east to Huntersville.  Continue on Hwy toward Concord, taking a right turn onto Poplar Tent Road south and then another right only onto Cox Mill Road continuing on to Speedway Blvd turning south past the largest enclosed outlet mall east of the Mississippi and North Carolinas’ biggest tourist attraction, Concord Mills.  Finally we’ll stop at the end of Speedway Blvd. at Charlotte Motor Speedway and lunch overlooking the Speedway at the famous Speedway Club.  Our goal would be to arrive between 11:30 and noon for lunch overlooking the Speedway at the famous Speedway Club.  We will then head to Hendrick Motorsports complex for a tour at 1:30-3:00 pm.

    Directions for back roads:  Go east on Hwy 64 to Rutherfordton. Then take Hwy 74 east to Shelby. Continue on Hwy 150 and 27 east to Lincolnton. Continue east on Hwy 27 and 73 and 21 to Cornelius (see sightseeing A). From Cornelius take Hwy 21 and 73 to Concord and Albermarle. Then take Hwy 27/24 through Uwharrie National Forest (see sightseeing B) to Troy. From Troy take 220 and 211 to Pinehurst.

    Directions to continue on to the hotel in Pinehurst:  From the Hendrick complex head south on Morehead Street back past the Speedway into Harrisburg where we’ll pick up Hwy 49 continuing about 15 miles to Mount Pleasant where we’d pick back up on Hwy 73 to Albemarle.  There we’ll merge with Hwy 24/27 and go about 12 miles over Lake Tillery and the Pee Dee River and then continue on Hwy 73 as it breaks away heading to Mount Gilead and then Ellerbe and then West End connecting to Hwy 211 into Pinehurst and the Homewood Suites Hotel.


    LUNCH SUGGESTIONS: 
    • Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway  - .  Our goal would be to arrive between 11:30 and noon for lunch overlooking the Speedway at the famous Speedway Club.  Address:  Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6551 Bruton Smith Blvd, Concord, NC
    • We will then head to Hendrick Motorsports complex (about 1 mile from the Speedway) for a tour at 1:30-3:00 pm.  Address: Hendrick Motorsports, 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, Charlotte, NC



    PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES: 
    • Hendrick Motorsports tour 
    • From 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Tour hotel, Hilton Homewood Suites – Pinehurst.
    • Manager’s Reception in the evening at Homewood Suites in Pinehurst with a presentation by noted golf writer and Pinehurst resident, Jim Dobson, who has offered to provide some insight into the history of Pinehurst and golf. Complimentary Manager Reception: with free wine, beer and soft drinks as well as snacks. 
    • Dinner suggestions include Duggan’s Pub, The Rider Cup Room at the Carolina Hotel or the Pine Crest Inn all located in the nearby village of Pinehurst.
    SIDE TRIPS TO:
    • NC Zoo south of Asheboro
    • Follow Pottery Road beginning north of Pinehurst on NC 705 from Eagle Springs to Seagrove

    HOTEL:  Homewood Suites, Pinehurst, NC

    DINNER SUGGESTIONS:    Dugan’s Pub or the Pine Crest Inn, both just a mile from the hotel in historic Pinehurst Village.
    • Dugan’s Pub, 2 Market Square – Pinehurst, NC
    • The Pine Crest Inn, 50 Dogwood Road, Pinehurst, NC

    DAY 9 – Tuesday, June 12 – Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen to Wilmington and New Bern
    Estimated Distance:  234 miles

    ROUTE:
    From Pinehurst take Hwy 5 and 1 and 15/501 south to Laurinburg.  Then take Hwy 74 and 701 to Whiteville.  Then it is Hwy 74 and 76 to Wilmington for a lunch stop.  From Wilmington take Hwy 17 to New Bern.

    LUNCH SUGGESTIONS and PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES:  

    Lunch – Wrightsville Beach
    Our hosts for lunch will be members of the British Motor Club of the Cape Fear and the restaurant is the Bluewater Waterfront Grill (4 Marina Street).  The Bluewater offers spectacular panoramic views of Wrightsville Beach's Intracoastal Waterway. Watch boats cruise past your table and relax to the sound of sail masts lightly tapping at the nearby marina, all while enjoying the casual American menu. Menu mainstays include baby back ribs, char-grilled steaks, fresh fish, and delicious homemade desserts.
    Wrightsville Beach Museum
    (with refreshment stop and MG disgnostics)
    The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, housed in the turn of the century Myers Cottage, exists to preserve and to share the history of Wrightsville Beach. Visitors to the cottage will find a scale model of Wrightsville Beach circa 1910, exhibits featuring the early days of the beach including Lumina Pavilion, our hurricane history and information about the interaction between the people and our natural environment which have shaped the 100-year history of Wrightsville Beach. The Museum is designed to reflect how life was lived in a typical home on the Beach and throughout the community.  Special Note: Carl Wilson from AutoWorks will be on hand to provide onsite MGB diagnostics and inspection of our cars before the last leg of our tour and the drive back to our homes.


    HOTEL:  Hilton, New Bern, NC

    SIGHTSEEING OPTIONS
    • Tryon Palace – The governor’s palace and first permanent capitol of North Carolina
    • Pepsi Museum – Birthplace of Pepsi

    DINNER SUGGESTIONS:
    Morgan’s Tavern and Grill ??

    DAY 10 – Wednesday, June 13 – New Bern to Manteo/Kill Devil Hills/Kitty Hawk
    Estimated Distance:  165 miles

    ROUTE:
    From New Bern take Hwy 17 to Washington.  Then take Hwy 17 and 264 to Manteo (see Planned Activity).  From Manteo take Hwy 64 and 158 to Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk and the Atlantic Ocean.

    LUNCH SUGGESTIONS:
    • Lunch in Manteo
    • Lunch on the Atlantic Ocean

    PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES:
    • Picture of car at Manteo city limit sign.  This is an individual activity or small group activity.  This picture is your proof of the completion of your trip from Murphy (the mountains) to the end at the sea (Manteo).
      NOTE:  There is a SAFE place to pull over and park your car(s) under a Manteo sign.  It is JUST BEFORE the visitor info center AND JUST BEFORE you cross the bridge into Manteo. 
    • Group pictures before we depart for home.  We can use the hotel's central outdoor courtyard around the fountain or get a picture on the beach.

    SIGHTSEEING OPTIONS
    • Outer Banks Brewing Station, 600 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills (America's First Wind Powered Brewery) 252-449-2739
    HOTEL:  Hilton Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk, NC


    DINNER SUGGESTIONS: 
    • Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant     Phone: (252) 261-3171
      3848 Virginia Dare Trail North (NC Hwy 12), Kitty Hawk, NC
    • Dinner in Manteo or on the Atlantic Ocean







    DAY 11 – Thursday, June 14 – Kitty Hawk to Raleigh/Rolesville/HOME
    Estimated Distance:  230 miles

    ROUTE:
    From Kitty Hawk take Hwy 158 toward Elizabeth City.  We will bypass Elizabeth City by going north on NC Hwy 343 to South Mills (see sightseeingA).  Here is where the cars may split up to head home.  
    • Take Hwy 17 to head home to Virginia beaches.
    • Continue south on Hwy 17 to join up with Hwy 158 going west again toward Murfreesboro.  Continue on Hwy 158 to Roanoke Rapids.  Heading home on I-95?  It is here at Roanoke Rapids. 
    • Further west on Hwy 158 is Hwy 401, Hwy 1, and I-85.  Maybe one of these is what you will take to get home.
    • I-95 and I-85 both connect with I-40 if that is your way home.
    • Hwy 401 goes south to Rolesville (and further south to Raleigh).

    LUNCH SUGGESTIONS:
    • Depending on when you leave Kitty Hawk, you could have a late breakfast or an early lunch at Digger's Diner in Poplar Branch, NC.  It is a shiny diner, located along Hwy 158 just about one hr WNW of the hotel.  You will recognize it by the monster trucks on the property.
    • Could have lunch in Roanoke Rapids.

    PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES:  Group pictures before we depart for home.  We can use the hotel's central outdoor courtyard around the fountain or get a picture on the beach.  We may take the group picture the night before.

    SIGHTSEEING OPTIONS:
    A – Dismal Swamp State Park, 2294 US 17 North, South Mills, NC 27976 - walk along the 2000-foot boardwalk into this geological wonder. Experience first hand the lush swamp forest and get up-close and personal with the wide variety of wildlife.  Learn why George Washington called the Dismal Swamp “a glorious paradise”, how the swamp was important in the Underground Railroad and the ecological importance of wetlands

    HOTEL:  Hampton Inn, Wake Forest, NC


    DINNER SUGGESTIONS:

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