From the towering peaks to the sandy shores of the protected coastline, North Carolina is home to a variety of experiences.
The state is where the Wright Brothers famously made their first flight and where a little soda brand called Pepsi gained international recognition. It’s also where musicians like Earl Scruggs, Nina Simone and John Coltrane were born. Driving from one end to the other is straightforward, and the state has extensive airport and rail networks.
1. Celebrate the Gilded Age in Asheville
Start your Asheville journey at the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in America. Built in the style of a French chateau for the Vanderbilt family, the Gilded Age mansion has on-site restaurants, inns, and even a winery.
Landscape artist Frederick Law Olmsted designed the grounds of the 8,000-acre estate to showcase natural beauty in every season. With six formal and informal gardens, more than 20 miles of nature trails, and a conservatory brimming with lush tropical plants, Olmstead’s vision endures with beauty at every turn.
2. Visit Charlotte’s Popular Landmarks
While most cities have a “downtown,” Charlotte’s hub is known as Uptown. Here you’ll find the majority of the landmarks, including the Mint Museum of Art, which has a second location in the city in a former US Mint, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture. The artist Romare Bearden, who was born in the city, is honored with a public park nearby.
It’s also a sports fan’s paradise, home to the Carolina Panthers football team. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a sprawling, interactive museum devoted to racing history, showcasing drivers’ trophies and car simulators.
The US National Whitewater Center is a 1,300-acre park with ziplines, trails, and artificial rapids used for the Olympic Trials.
3. Learn About Lemurs in Durham
While often lumped in with Raleigh, Durham has an atmosphere all its own. Home to famed Duke University, there’s plenty to see on and off campus. The Duke Lemur Center is a world-class primate center with the most diverse population of lemurs outside of Madagascar, open for tours by appointment.
Roam the galleries of the Nasher Museum of Art, which features pieces from Mesoamerica alongside modern works by Kehinde Wiley, the painter known for President Obama’s portrait. The Sarah P. Duke Gardens first opened in 1934 and highlights native North Carolina species including the Venus flytrap.
4. Get Artistic in Greensboro
Greensboro has a long history of textile manufacturing, where Lee and Wrangler jeans’ parent company has its headquarters. Leftover textiles from these factories were once sold at a downtown store, now revived as the offbeat Elsewhere Museum, where artists create new work based on what’s already inside the building.
The city made history during the Civil Rights Movement when local students held a sit-in at the Woolworth’s lunch counter. The original seats are preserved at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, which includes exhibits on the Middle Passage and voting rights.
5. Dive into History in the North Carolina Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans between Tennessee and North Carolina, but the latter section is quieter. As one of the best national parks in North Carolina, the Smokies provide a unique blend of history, culture, and outdoor adventures. In Bryson City, visitors can ride the rails on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which runs along the Tuckasegee River. The Nantahala Outdoor Center was the original rafting outfitter in town, now expanding to include a restaurant, cabins, and ziplining.
The town of Cherokee honors Native people forcibly removed on the Trail of Tears. The tribe shares its history at the Museum of the Cherokee People and in the seasonal outdoor play, Unto These Hills.
6. Go for a Dive at the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is home to dozens of islands with small towns and fishing villages. This 175-mile stretch is where Europeans first arrived, with the mysterious Roanoke colony disappearing in 1587.
Pirates roamed these waters, including Blackbeard, who met his fate on Ocracoke Island. It’s known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic due to many shipwrecks along the ocean floor, excellent for diving.
A summer vacation in the Outer Banks is filled with history, adventure, and natural wonders. At Kitty Hawk, visitors can see the site of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. For a thrilling experience, try a glider flight at the nearby sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The best views come from the lighthouses along the coast, including Cape Hatteras, Currituck Beach, and Bodie Island lighthouses.
7. Dine Out in Raleigh
The capital city has an energy that attracts lovers of the arts. The North Carolina Museum of Art features the work of local creatives alongside internationally recognized artists. The Pour House brings in touring music acts, having first opened in 1997.
Raleigh is also home to many James Beard-nominated restaurants. Ashley Christensen is notable with an empire that includes multiple restaurants, most notably, Poole’s Diner. St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar offers authentic Louisiana cuisine, including gumbo and barbecued shrimp. You can also find James Beard-nominated chefs like Cheetie Kumar at Ajja and Oscar Diaz at The Cortez in Downtown Raleigh.
8. Experience Mini Hollywood in Wilmington
The city of Wilmington is situated on the Cape River, inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Over the years, it has gained recognition as a mini Hollywood due to its nearby film studio.
Visit the filming locations from Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, and Eastbound & Down, using brochures from the visitor’s center as a guide.
Wilmington was also home to a young athlete named Michael Jordan. The famed basketball player has an exhibit at the Cape Fear Museum of History featuring his jerseys and memorabilia, including a replica skeleton of a giant sloth from the prehistoric era.
9. Head to a Living Museum in Winston-Salem
The city known as Winston-Salem was settled by the Moravian people seeking religious freedom. Their original homes and buildings have been restored and now operate as Old Salem, a living history museum.
The area skyrocketed its prominence through the tobacco industry, which continues to have a presence today. RJ Reynolds established his company here and lived at a grand home near Wake Forest University, now an art museum called Reynolda, featuring sprawling grounds. His former Art Deco office is now the stylish Kimpton Cardinal Hotel.
10. Sip Local Wine in Yadkin Valley
Situated between the western mountain vistas and the rolling landscapes of the Piedmont, Yadkin Valley is home to North Carolina’s wine country. Designated as an American Viticultural Area, this region echoes some of the finest wine-growing regions of Europe. With more than 40 wineries to visit, each offers a unique taste and experience.
From Hamptonville to Mount Airy, there are sprawling vineyards offering tastings, tours, live music, and events. Shelton Vineyards is one of the largest vineyards on the East Coast, offering daily tours and tastings with a farm-to-table restaurant on-site. Raffaldini Vineyards adds Tuscan charm to the Carolinas, producing dry Italian-style wines in a stunning setting.
11. View the Wild Horses at Shackleford Banks
Along the North Carolina coast, wild horses roam the pristine shores of Shackleford Banks. Protected as part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, these wild herds graze and frolic across the barrier island, accessible only by private boat or ferry. The National Park Service offers guided tours to learn more about these majestic horses.
Shackleford Banks is also one of the best places in North Carolina to view the starry night sky. In 2021, it received an International Dark Sky Park designation. Seasonal cabins and year-round primitive camping are available for overnight stays, offering visitors spectacular stargazing opportunities along the Atlantic coast.
12. Stroll the Boardwalk at Carolina Beach
Just south of Wilmington, Carolina Beach features a vintage-style boardwalk bursting with nostalgic family fun. The renowned boardwalk hosts carnival games, an old-school arcade, amusement rides, with free live music and fireworks weekly throughout the summer. There’s no shortage of dining options, from pizza and ice cream to fresh seafood and cocktails. For a classic treat, stop by the 1950s-themed Pop’s Diner or Britt’s Donut Shop, established in 1939.
Head inland to Carolina Beach State Park, where you can explore 9 miles of nature trails, including the half-mile Flytrap Loop featuring native carnivorous plants like the Venus flytrap.
13. Take a Scenic Drive down Blue Ridge Parkway
The Civilian Conservation Corps-built Blue Ridge Parkway traverses nearly 500 miles of undisturbed vistas between North Carolina and Virginia. Winding its way along the state’s western mountains, it passes some of North Carolina’s most beautiful locales, including historic Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and the Biltmore Estate.
This scenic highway offers one of the best road trips in North Carolina, showcasing the natural beauty of the state throughout the year. However, the stunning display of fall foliage in October provides an unparalleled experience as the mountains ignite with reds, oranges, and yellows. Leaf-peeping season is often considered the best time to visit North Carolina.
From Black Balsam Knob to Looking Glass Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway leads to some of the best hikes in North Carolina. Detour to Pisgah National Forest to explore the area’s most popular hiking trail, a natural water slide, and Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River.
North Carolina Traveling Tips
What is the prettiest place in North Carolina?
North Carolina is full of natural wonders and scenic vistas. From the Outer Banks to the Smokies, there are numerous beautiful destinations to explore. Favorites include Shackleford Banks, Chimney Rock, and the Biltmore Estate. Driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway in October is one of the most stunning sights in North Carolina.
What are the must-visit cities in North Carolina?
Raleigh, Asheville, Winston-Salem, Wilmington, and Charlotte each offer a unique perspective on the vibrant and diverse state of North Carolina. From its bustling metropolises to its historical towns and mountainous regions, North Carolina has a lot to offer.
What are the top outdoor attractions in North Carolina?
Top outdoor attractions also happen to be some of the best experiences in North Carolina: hiking and beaches. The lighthouses, wild horses, and starry night skies are top attractions in the Outer Banks. Clingmans Dome, Sliding Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Chimney Rock, and Mount Mitchell are popular outdoor destinations in North Carolina’s state and national parks.
What city in North Carolina is the most fun?
Raleigh has it all: top-notch restaurants, vibrant art, fascinating museums, live music, sports venues, and outdoor adventures. This lively city ranks as one of the most fun places in the state, with Asheville and Wilmington following closely.
What is the best time of the year to visit North Carolina?
From blissful beach days to snowy adventures, North Carolina is an excellent year-round destination. The best time to visit depends on your planned activities. For hiking, cycling, and outdoor adventures, spring and fall offer natural beauty and comfortable temperatures. October is ideal for viewing the changing fall foliage. For beachgoers, peak season runs from June through August along the coast.
This article has been revised to enhance your understanding of the fascinating attractions and experiences that North Carolina has to offer, as presented by iBestTravel.
