Glowing Petunias and Pirate Lore: A Day Trip to Newport, NC

Sometimes the best adventures are just a short drive away. On a sunny weekend, we packed up the car—Marty included, of course—and made our way to Newport, NC, for a little plant-filled magic at Carolina Home & Garden.

Located just past the charming town of Swansboro (where, by total coincidence, a pirate festival was in full swing), this spot turned out to be exactly the kind of fun, unexpected discovery that makes a day trip feel like a mini-vacation.

Carolina Home & Garden isn’t your average nursery. Sure, there are rows of lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and all the gorgeous plant babies you could hope for—but there’s also a food truck (the whimsically named Garden of Eaten), a cocktail bar and beer garden tucked beneath the trees, and an overall vibe that invites you to slow down, sip something cold, and just enjoy.

And yes, it’s dog friendly! Which was a huge win for Marty, who happily sniffed every corner of the garden while Brandon and I wandered around, falling in love with plants we didn’t know we needed.

One of the highlights? The Firefly Petunia. This isn’t just a pretty flower—it’s a bioluminescent wonder, created by cross-breeding petunias with a naturally glowing fungus. I know it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s very real and very cool. When the sun sets, this little beauty softly glows in the dark. We couldn’t resist bringing one home. (You can read more about the science behind it here and watch the short video below—it’s fascinating.)

After we secured our glowing plant, we grabbed some street corn nachos loaded with BBQ chicken from the food truck (10/10, would eat again) and found a shady table to just be. Good food, a happy dog, a lavender limeade, and nothing to do but soak it all in.

It’s easy to rush through life, even on weekends. But places like Carolina Home & Garden remind me how important it is to chase little joys, take detours, and let curiosity lead the way. Bonus points if there’s pirate history involved—Swansboro, after all, sits near the waters where Blackbeard ran the Queen Anne’s Revenge aground in the 1700s. The whole area hums with salty air and old stories.

We left with sun-warmed skin, dirt under our nails, and a glowing petunia riding shotgun. Not bad for a Saturday.

Here’s to finding magic in unexpected places.

P.S. Want to know more about Blackbeard and Queen Anne's Revenge? Check out this project from the State of North Carolina's Natural and Cultural Resources Department: Queen Anne's Revenge Conservation Lab 🏴‍☠️