10 vacation ideas within driving distance of Charlotte for under $200/night
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With the prime time of summer winding down, the vacation deals are heating up. There is a bevy of worthy vacation spots all within a few hours of Charlotte that you can score for affordable prices right now if you know where to look.
August is the time to plan for travel if you want to enjoy the warm weather but don’t want to pay the increased middle-of-summer rates. If you can hold off until August, you will reap the benefits and save —sometimes as much as half — on your nightly rates. Also, if you are able to plan for a vacation during the weekdays, you won’t believe the discount you can score. Here are some incredible places that I highly recommend for a two- or three-night getaway that aren’t too far from the Queen City and won’t break the bank.
Savannah, GA
River Street Inn
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Rate: Starting at $169/night (Check HotelTonight from your mobile phone for lower room rates)
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours, 50 minutes
What’s to love: This historic inn is located right on the famous (or infamous depending on your experience with the open container laws they have) River Street. The exposed brick and antique furniture creates a dreamy atmosphere and the views are unbeatable.
Savannah Bed and Breakfast Inn
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Rate: Starting at $139/night
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours, 50 minutes
What’s to love: This picturesque B&B is only a block away from Forsyth Park. Start your day with the hearty southern breakfast they offer and don’t miss out on the afternoon tea or the bedtime milk and cookies!
Planters Inn on Reynolds Square
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Rate: Starting at $169/night (Check HotelTonight from your mobile phone for lower room rates)
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours, 50 minutes
What’s to love: Planters Inn is located in the historic district, walking distance from River Street and all that is has to offer in the way of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. They also offer a wine and cheese social hour Monday through Saturday which is, basically, the best thing a hotel can have.
Tennessee
Creekwalk Cabins (Cosby)
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Rate: $199/two-night stay (via Groupon)
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours
What’s to love: This cozy cabin is everything you need for a mountain retreat. It has a Jacuzzi tub inside that sits right next to the fireplace, and a sunk-in hot-tub on the deck where you can view the stunning sunset. The best part is, it’s only a twenty minute ride from Gatlinburg.
Mountain Harbor Inn (Dandridge)
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Rate: Starting at $329/night (Rates as low as $139 can be found frequently on Groupon)
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours, 30 minutes
What’s to love: Adults Only. This gorgeous property is located right on Douglass Lake and only 27 miles from Gatlinburg. There are trails and waterfalls nearby, plus right there at the bed and breakfast there are water activities like boating, jet-skiing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking.
Charleston, SC
The Inn at Middleton Place
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Rate: $136/night (Check HotelTonight from your mobile phone for lower room rates)
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours
What’s to love: Located on a former rice plantation, this ivy-and-brick inn gives you access to the grounds where you are free to explore. The rooms are the perfect mix of classic and modern, with sleek furniture and crisp linens. See also: Free. Happy. Hour.
Andrew Pinckney Inn
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Rate: $199/night (Check HotelTonight from your mobile phone for lower room rates)
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours, 13 minutes
What’s to love: This airy inn boasts a West Indies feel and is close to King Street which means food, shopping, and fun on the waterfront. Check out the three-story atrium on the property before heading out to sightsee.
Asheville, NC
The Omni Grove Park Inn
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Rate: $149/night (via Groupon)
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hours, 15 minutes
What’s to love: Maybe the 50 million dollar spa that this resort has, completely underground. The spa was named one of Top 20 resort spas in the US by Conde’ Nast Traveler. You can explore the Biltmore and also all of the amazing breweries that Asheville is famous for. If you feel like staying on the property, you can have a blast in the dueling piano bar.
Lake Lure, NC
Grandpa’s Cabin
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Rate: $81/night
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hours
What’s to love: This rustic cabin is a great place to get away for some R & R. It is secluded and has a large creek that runs right through the property. Close to the lake, you can enjoy activities like watersports and ziplining.
Virginia
The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs
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Rate: Starting at $159/night (via Groupon)
Distance from Charlotte: 4 hours, 30 minutes
What’s to love: Everything. Located high in the mountains in the historic town of Hot Springs, this 18th Century resort was a regular playground for Presidents Jefferson, FDR, Madison, Nixon, Regan, Wilson, and more. The traditional Virginian style rooms are incredible, with traditional wallpaper and décor. You can spend your entire vacation just exploring the halls of the homestead—a labyrinth of grand rooms—all decorated to perfection. Year round you can take a dip in the hot sulfur springs, which are said to have healing properties. In the winter you can head up the mountain to the resort’s ski lifts for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowmobiling; and in the summer months you can relax at the resort pools and waterpark. Other activates: Golf, horseback riding, tennis, fishing, ice-skating, mini-golf, skeet-shooting, archery, paintball, falconry, carriage rides.