When the presents are unwrapped and paper discarded, when the family like the turkey has been overly stuffed, when the last carol has been sung and the last holiday movie viewed, its time to escape.

Luckily, there are 27 state historic sites and seven history museums across North Carolina that will be open most of the holiday season offering free or low-cost family fun. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (www.ncculture.com) offers destinations statewide.

In the west, the historic sites are closed December 24, 25 and January 1, and otherwise are open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This includes the Thomas Wolfe Memorial in Asheville, Vance Birthplace in Weaverville, Fort Dobbs in Statesville, Reed Gold Mine in Midland, Horne Creek Historical Farm in Pinnacle, James K. Polk Memorial in Pineville and the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer.

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial and the N.C. Transportation Museum are also open Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. The Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort is closed December 24 to 27 and January 1; its hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it is closed on Sundays.

For additional information call 919-807-7389 or 919-807-7385. The Division of State Historic Sites and the Division of State History Museums are agencies of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities, and the vision to harness the states cultural resources to build North Carolinas social, cultural and economic future. Information is available 24/7 at www.ncculture.com