I’m not sure who had more fun honestly. Here we are at Blue Diamond Gemstone Panning in Apex, NC.

North Carolina is one of the premier destinations in the US for gemstone panning and rockhounding. G

What is rockhounding you ask? It’s the hobby of searching for and collecting rocks, minerals, crystals and fossils from natural environments.

Really fun way to get those grandkids off their screens and into nature.

This is the Greensboro Science Center.

The Greensboro Science Center is a premier family attraction in North Carolina, distinguished as the only facility in the state to house a dually accredited aquarium, museum, and zoo all at one destination.

Wiseman Aquarium: Features a 90,000-gallon shark reef tank, North Carolina’s only permanent African penguin colony, and an interactive stingray touch pool.
Animal Discovery Zoo: Home to rare and endangered animals, including tigers, red pandas, pygmy hippos, and meerkats.
Science Museum: Features hands-on exhibits like the Prehistoric Passages dinosaur gallery, a live weather center, and SciPlay Bay for young learners.
OmniSphere Theater: A state-of-the-art theater with a 40-foot dome screen offering immersive 3D space, nature, and laser music shows.
Adventure Add-ons: Includes SKYWILD (an animal-inspired ropes course above the zoo) and the FLYWAY zipline over Country Park.

Downtown Graham, NC. is a very charming, historic county seat centered around a unique traffic circle and the Alamance County courthouse.

My favorite store is The Broom Closet Metaphysical Shoppe. They have Crystals, Herbs, Incense, Smudges, Candles, Jewelry, Tarot/Oracle cards, Psychic Readings and Healing sessions. Very nice people.

Other places of note:

Graham Soda Shop: Serving classic burgers, old-fashioned milkshakes, and lunch since 1937. (Yummy hot dogs)

In February 2026, James Franco spent two days in downtown Graham scouting potential locations for an upcoming film project.

During his visit, he met locals, signed autographs at the Graham Soda Shop, and caught a movie at the historic Graham Cinema.

Graham Cinema: A historic, family-owned movie theater located in the heart of the downtown district.

I’m in Hillsborough and always looking for good suggestions.