I grew up going to Emerald Isle and it is one of my favorite places on the NC coast. It's not over crowded like some vacations spots. The beaches are clean. And there are most of the amenities you need right there on the island. There are a lot of homes you can rent on the beach or sound side. It's a great place for a quite family vacation.

The NC Museum of History is a good place to visit if you want to learn about all of the amazing things that happened in NC. This museum is best for older kids as there is a lot of reading and exhibits that require you to have a brief understanding of US history. Some of the most interested exhibits include the first in flight and women of NC.

I stayed at the Westin a few years ago and it greatly exceeded my expectations. It's in a fabulous location so close to downtown Charlotte so you can walk a lot of places. The rooms are great with comfy beds and all the things you need right at your finger tips.

When it's a rainy day in Raleigh we generally head out to the Triangle Town Center Mall. They have a wonderful play area inside the mall where kids can play until their hearts are content. We eat lunch at Chick-fil-a and browse all the great stores. I really like walking around the outdoor dining and shopping area on a nice day.

The Mordecai Historic Park and Trolley Tours offers great history not only of Raleigh and North Carolina but our country. The Mordecai mansion has great tours which guide you through the history of the area and home. You can also take a trolley tour of Raleigh afterward. Throughout the year there are fun events held on the Mordecai park grounds.