Historical B & B in the Heart of North Carolina

Once the home of early 19th-century US Representative Hannibal Godwin, the house that now holds Simply Divine Bed & Breakfast is still fit for a statesman. Run by friendly innkeepers Carmen and Rob Forrester, the B & B welcomes visitors to Dunn, North Carolina, in grand style, with white-pillared side porches located on a well-tended lawn. Inside, you’ll walk through rich oak paneling, 12-foot-ceilings, antique furniture, and stately fireplaces. To top it off, guests can relax among the library’s floor-to-ceiling shelves, where they can sit with a coffee and let the day unwind.

In the morning, a breakfast spread that includes croissants and fresh fruit awaits in the wood-paneled dining room. At night, you'll have dinner by candlelight, choosing from pork chops, shrimp cocktail, and other classic dishes. Guests stay in one of five individually decorated rooms, each with their own distinct personality and features. In the extremely spacious Topaz room, you can warm up by an in-room fireplace, and there are several large windows overlooking the porches and street. In the Jade room, oriental furniture and pastel-green walls create the perfect romantic atmosphere, and the Coral room exudes a slightly tropical ambiance through light-pink walls and cheerful white furnishings.

If you opt for the romance package, you’ll find flowers, champagne, and chocolates set out for your arrival. There's also a large pool in the back yard if you fancy a dip, as well as southern-style front porches. Feel free to nab a book from the library, take a seat on the porch, and relax away a carefree afternoon.

Dunn, North Carolina: Civil War History and Antique Stores near Cape Fear River

Located about 40 miles south of Raleigh in the middle of North Carolina, Dunn is a small, quaint town with several historical buildings and Civil War sites. If you’re here for antiquing, the first stop is just a block away from the inn—the 15,000-square-foot Sunrise Antiques mall. Discovering the area’s rich history is another popular activity, starting with the Civil War–era artifacts at the Averasboro Battlefield & Museum. The museum chronicles the war’s Battle of Averasboro, the second-to-last battle fought in North Carolina, and visitors can visit the historic battlefield.

The area around Dunn is rife with activities for outdoor enthusiasts—25 miles away, Raven Rock State Park has more than 4,500 acres of hiking paths and old-growth forests along the Cape Fear River. You can rent canoes or kayaks by the hour or day and paddle past Revolutionary and Civil War sites as you admire North Carolina’s dense, leafy flora.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.