When Family Visits: 5 Best Bucket-List Road Trips in North Carolina -

Disclosure: This shop about best bucket-list road trips in North Carolina has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CambialoConQS #CollectiveBias

A few weeks ago, my mom came to visit me in North Carolina! We have always met somewhere else so I was ecstatic to finally be able to show her “my world.” Mi viejita was only staying for two weeks so I wanted to make sure she would get a nice glimpse of the place I call home. I know my mom appreciates punctuality so you bet I was on time at the airport to pick her up! I even had time to go for a walk in the airport gardens with my son and pick up a flower to give it to her.

My mom’s first comment about The Tar Heel State was: “There are lots of trees here!” That was the same thing I said when I visited North Carolina for the first time. I think the fact that we come from one of the greenest places on Earth, a green place like North Carolina makes you feel like home. Maybe this is why I love living in this state so much!

As I planned the spots that I wanted mom to see in town, I also made sure my car was in good shape so we visited Walmart Auto Center, the go-to destination for auto care necessities for its convenience, accessibility and affordability. The technician that we met was friendly and suggested me to do the $19.88 Pit Crew Oil Change service for my car with Quaker State® conventional motor oil (5W-20, 5W-30 or 10W-30)

I thought it was a great coincidence that my mom and I were together again in an auto center for an oil change before going on a road trip. It was only last June when we did the same thing before our road trip to the Andes. And, in Ecuador, we also chose Quaker State Oil. It’s a traditional brand and a product that gives you peace of mind of having my car well maintained by providing quality oil products my family can trust! In fact, Quaker State is a top-selling brand in Latin America and with Latinos in the USA.

If you prefer doing DIY oil changes yourself at home, visit your closed Walmart Auto Center where you can get your Quake State products, everyday low price. It’s only $20.24 for a bottle of 5qt of Quaker State® Ultimate Durability™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil.

5 Places To Visit in North Carolina

North Carolina is a must-see state for its enchanting towns, exquisite nature and beautiful sights that are worthy a visit. This state is known to have the most diverse landscapes in the country. If you are planning a visit to North Carolina, here are the 5 best places to enjoy the natural beauty, history and varied culture of our state.

North Carolina Beaches

There is a beautiful James Taylor song about North Carolina that says: “Can’t you see the sunshine? Can’t you just feel the moonshine?” Those lyrics always come to my mind whenever I am visiting North Carolina beaches. They are the perfect place to relax and spent time with loved ones. My favorite beach is “Topsail Island” for its sandy beaches and wide variety of marine life. But we also have other great options to explore in a short distance such as The Outer Banks, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and many more!

Great Smoky Mountains

Did you know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country’s most visited National Park? Yes, this place is renowned the world over for its mountain scenery, diverse wildlife, and remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. It’s an amazing experience to visit it during the fall when the different colors of the leaves gives you a breathtaking view. We went for a horse ride for part of the trail in the mountains and my family had a great time!

Downtown Raleigh

If you are in North Carolina, you need to visit Raleigh which it’s the capital of the state. There are so many things to do and see in the Downtown area such as Pullen Park, Neuse River Trail, JC Ralston Arboretum, etc. From museums to historical sites and restaurants, this beautiful town would leave you energized and I bet you will savor the Southern hospitality at its finest!

My mom is a “History Buff” so she really enjoyed visiting the North Carolina History Museum and landmarks like Mordecai’s History Park, the site of the largest plantation in Wake County.

Durham

I am very proud of Durham. There is a strong sense of community here. Durham is filled with unique attractions and things to do and see. Bring your comfy shoes because there is so many beautiful spots to enjoy like the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, American Tobacco Historic District, Eno River State Park, Brightleaf Square and many others.

Boone

I don’t know why when I think about Boone, I think about flowers. Maybe because this beautiful city has the most gorgeous gardens! Boone is surrounded by the majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers unforgettable experiences to the adventurous soul. Make sure to visit the Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad and Pisgah National Forest.