Winston-Salem, N.C.: Beckoning Visitors with Varied Attractions

Winston-Salem, N.C., is in the Piedmont Triad area of the Tar Heel state. It offers an active downtown, a number of institutions of higher education and a strong business community. There are also nearby natural attractions that allow visitors to enjoy beautiful scenery, such as Pilot Mountain, the Yadkin River and Bethabara Park, which features lovely walking trails.

Lake Hartwell: Georgia and South Carolina's Shared Jewel

Beautiful Lake Hartwell, which straddles the South Carolina-Georgia border, is a great place for a relaxing outing on the water. The lake offers boating, fishing and other activities. It's not a far drive from metro Atlanta (about two hours), so it makes for a great day trip. Or if you prefer to make it a weekend, there are plenty of lodging options nearby.

Abingdon, Va.: Beautiful, Relaxing Town

We recently made another visit to Abingdon, Va., for a relaxing extended weekend. The small town in the foothills of the mountains of southwestern Virginia has a quaint downtown, beautiful parks and great scenery as far as the eye can see. Attractions include the Virginia Creeper Trail, a hiking and biking trail that runs for many miles; the historic Barter Theater and nearby Bristol Motor Speedway, a key NASCAR venue.