Getting out of town for the day; Leland, NC

Flickr user Seuss - on the road and off the grid for a bit

Just a short distance from our glorious Grand Strand lies one of North Carolina's hidden gems, rich with history, nature, and experiences right for almost anyone interested in a day trip.  "In the middle of bliss" is how Leland classifies itself and they're certain you'll feel the same after spending time in this small town with so much to offer.

Located about 70 miles north from the heart of Myrtle Beach, the drive is a short hike up Highway 17.  There you'll find a town that is among the fastest growing in North Carolina.  Despite major development, it has managed to preserve the beautiful surrounding natural areas.

Brunswick Nature Park and Brunswick River Park both feature the banks of the Brunswick River and its tribuaries, which are perfect for kayaking, as well as watching water fowl and reptiles.

The Green Swamp Preserve, situated on 17,424 acres in the Supply, NC area, is one of the few places in the world that has natural venus fly traps and other carnivorous plants. The preserve offers hiking, birding, rare botanical experiences, and hunting to its visitors. 

The UNCW Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve offers two self-guided two-hour tours.  Each of them features interpretative signage, helping hikers identify plants and connect with the environment around them.  

For the golfers, Cape Fear National is a public course and Magnolia Greens has been the site for four previous PGA Tour qualifying events.  For the history or military buffs, the USS North Carolina offers tours and events and is just a short drive to Wilmington.  And if you're interested in science and space, visitors can visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium in Ocean Isle.

Leland has something for everyone, and is close to everything.  Information to help plan your day trip is available at VisitLelandNC.com. There you can find details about accomodations, golf, nature, attractions, and events.