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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : City
Map Pin
2809 Benevolence Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Raleigh, North Carolina
As we roll out of Raleigh and start our journey south, take a moment to imagine the road ahead. From here, we’ll be traveling more than 300 miles down the spine of the Carolinas, all the way to Savannah, Georgia. Along the way, we’ll pass through small crossroads and bustling cities, farmland and forests, rivers and swamps. Each turn of the highway holds a story — of people, places, and history stretching back centuries.

Raleigh, our starting point, has always been a city that looks both backward and forward. Founded in 1792, it was deliberately chosen as North Carolina’s capital because of its central location. Unlike many older Southern cities, Raleigh wasn’t built on a river or a port. Instead, it was planned — laid out on a grid, with government buildings at its heart. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with a mix of government, research, and culture.

Leaving the city behind, the road carries us into a different rhythm. The busy streets and high-rises give way to wide stretches of countryside — pine forests, fields, and small towns that still hold the flavor of rural North Carolina. This is the beginning of a longer journey, one that blends big events with quiet details, famous names with ordinary lives.

As we settle into the drive, remember that road trips are as much about the journey as the destination. Every few miles, there’s something to notice, some thread that ties us to the history and landscape of the South. So sit back, take in the view, and let’s see what stories unfold between here and Savannah.

Read More

  http://visitraleigh.com
Place #2
Distance: 4.19mi , Attraction : City
Map Pin
Add title here
POI 2 Tour Image
City of Oaks
As we head south, we leave behind the bustle of Raleigh — North Carolina’s “City of Oaks.” That nickname isn’t just poetic. Raleigh has long been known for the oak trees that shade its streets, particularly downtown, where the branches stretch out above sidewalks and frame the skyline. If you ever wander through the heart of the city, Moore Square and Nash Square are filled with tall oaks that give the capital its leafy character.

Raleigh has always been a place of growth and transition. In its early years, it was a modest capital, with lawmakers, merchants, and farmers passing through when the legislature was in session. By the late 19th century, the city was growing steadily, boosted by railroads and manufacturing. Tobacco warehouses and textile mills dotted the landscape, giving Raleigh an industrial edge.

In the 20th century, the city began to change again, this time looking toward education, research, and technology. Anchored by institutions like NC State University and later the development of Research Triangle Park, Raleigh became one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Today, it’s often ranked among the best places to live in the U.S., thanks to its mix of history, green space, and innovation.

But for all of its growth, Raleigh remains connected to its roots. Neighborhoods like Oakwood, with their Victorian homes, show the city’s 19th-century side, while local barbecue joints and music clubs keep alive traditions that go back generations.

As we leave Raleigh behind, we’re not just exiting a city. We’re leaving a place that has always stood at the crossroads of North Carolina’s story — a planned capital that grew into a thriving modern hub, shaded all the while by the oaks that gave it its name.

Read More

  http://raleighnc.gov
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Raleigh, North Carolina
Map Pin Place 2 City of Oaks
Map Pin Place 3 Research Triangle Park
Map Pin Place 4 Interstate 40 Countryside
Map Pin Place 5 Smithfield, North Carolina
Map Pin Place 6 Interstate 95
Map Pin Place 7 Benson and Johnston County
Map Pin Place 8 Averasboro Battlefield and Museum
Map Pin Place 9 Fort Bragg
Map Pin Place 10 Airborne & Special Operations Museum
Map Pin Place 11 Fayetteville, North Carolina
Map Pin Place 12 Cape Fear River
Map Pin Place 13 St. Pauls and North Carolina Sandhills
Map Pin Place 14 Lumber River and Robeson County
Map Pin Place 15 The Lumbee Tribe
Map Pin Place 16 Tobacco and Timber
Map Pin Place 17 South of the Border
Map Pin Place 18 Welcome to South Carolina
Map Pin Place 19 Charlotte, North Carolina
Map Pin Place 20 The Pee Dee Region
Map Pin Place 21 Florence, South Carolina Part 1
Map Pin Place 22 Florence, South Carolina Part 2
Map Pin Place 23 Black River Basin
Map Pin Place 24 Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve
Map Pin Place 25 Columbia, South Carolina
Map Pin Place 26 Lake Marion
Map Pin Place 27 Crossing Lake Marion
Map Pin Place 28 Charleston, South Carolina
Map Pin Place 29 South Carolina Fun Facts
Map Pin Place 30 Walterboro
Map Pin Place 31 South Carolina History
Map Pin Place 32 South Carolina Culture
Map Pin Place 33 Hilton Head Island
Map Pin Place 34 Savannah River
Map Pin Place 35 Savannah, Georgia
Map Pin Place 36 Historic Downtown Savannah
Map Pin Place 37 Explore Downtown Savannah



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 4.5 to 6.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 37 stops, covering top attractions such as Raleigh, North Carolina, City of Oaks, Research Triangle Park, Interstate 40 Countryside, Smithfield, North Carolina.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Raleigh, North Carolina (Address: 2809 Benevolence Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!