NORTH CAROLINA TRAVEL GUIDE
Welcome to the bigroads.com travel guide to North Carolina! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to North Carolina.
Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.
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North Carolina is famous for its beaches, mountains, and waterfalls. No other state on the East Coast can match that combination. BBQ is a national pastime in the state, and North Carolina might just be the best state in the U.S. for eating that type of food. The city of Asheville serves as a great hub for the western North Carolina mountains, and consistently makes "top medium-sized U.S. cities" lists. A portion of the most popular national park in the country also sits in North Carolina (the Great Smoky Mountains). North Carolina also contains the famed Outer Banks, known for its pristine shoreline and sand dunes.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in North Carolina? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in North Carolina, in no particular order:
✮ Tour the magnificent Biltmore Estate in Asheville
✮ Drive some of the spectacular 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Go waterfall hunting in the North Carolina mountains (there are 100s of them)
✮ Hike or drive to the top of the state at Mount Mitchell State Park
✮ Explore the beaches and shorelines of the Outer Banks
✮ Drink and eat your way around Asheville, one of the most likable medium-sized cities in the U.S.
✮ Take a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
✮ Paddle through rapids on a whitewater rafting trip on the French Broad River or Nantahala River
✮ Drive on the beach in Corolla
✮ Tour the huge U.S. Navy Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington
If I could select only one place to visit in North Carolina, I would choose Asheville. Asheville is one of the very best medium-sized cities in the U.S. The arts scene, beer, BBQ, and outdoor activities that are possible there are incredible. Asheville is comparable to places like Bend in Oregon, Bozeman in Montana, and Portland in Maine.
For a list of 10 great attractions in each U.S. state, click here.
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in North Carolina. I believe each of these attractions should be on your North Carolina bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Northwestern North Carolina (including Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Linville)
✮ ATV/ORV-ing in Banner Elk or Boone - a popular ATV/ORV-ing area; Appalachians Outdoor Adventures is one local operator
✮ Biltmore Estate, Asheville - offers excellent guided tours of the largest private home in the U.S.; also has a beautiful garden and a winery
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway - a 469-mile scenic drive from central VA to southwestern NC that offers many beautiful scenic views and diversions
✮ Blowing Rock, The - a tourist attraction with several attractions, the most notable of which is scenic views from a unique rock formation
✮ Doc's Rocks Gem Mine, Blowing Rock - a tourist attraction where kids pan for their own gems and minerals; also has a small fossil museum
✮ Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, Boone - a tourist attraction where kids pan for their own gems and minerals
✮ Grandfather Mountain, Linville - a tourist attraction with a mile-high swinging bridge; this is different from Grandfather Mountain State Park
✮ Grandfather Mountain State Park, Linville - a mountainous park with fantastic hiking trails (including some that scale ladders)
✮ Land of Oz, Beech Mountain - a Wizard of Oz-themed amusement park
✮ Linn Cove Viaduct, Blue Ridge Parkway - a famous section of the Blue Ridge Parkway with an elevated road winding around a corner
✮ Linville Gorge / Linville Falls, Marion - a scenic area with a waterfall, gorge, and excellent hiking trails
✮ Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, Blowing Rock - take a guided tour of a country estate; also features 25 miles of carriage roads/trails
✮ Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, Boone - one of the finest places for intermediate and advanced mountain biking on the East Coast
✮ Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap - known for its 600-foot granite dome, mid-19th century farm, fly-fishing, and hiking trails
✮ Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock - take a 3-mile ride on a train pulled by a historic locomotive; also has a few other tourist attractions
✮ Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, Banner Elk - a fun 3,160-foot long mountain coaster ride with three circular loops
Asheville (see below for the rest of western North Carolina)
✮ Asheville Pinball Museum - a vintage pinball and arcade museum where you can play on more than 75 machines for one set price
✮ BBQ restaurants in Asheville - the city of Asheville has some of the best BBQ in the U.S. (e.g. 12 Bones, Luella's, Moe's, etc.)
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway - a 469-mile scenic drive from central VA to southwestern NC that offers beautiful views and many diversions
✮ Breweries in Asheville - there are an impressive 30-plus breweries found in and around Asheville
✮ Guided brewery tours in Asheville - there are several companies that offer guided tours of some of Asheville's best breweries
✮ Guided food tours in Asheville - Asheville is a foodie destination, and several companies offer guided food tours
✮ Guided sightseeing tours in Asheville - several companies offer sightseeing tours in Asheville, including Gray Line Trolley Tours
✮ Folk Art Center / Southern Highland Craft Guild - offers a museum, shop, and live demonstrations related to Appalachian arts and crafts
✮ LaZoom - take one of several comedic tours of Asheville in a purple bus
✮ North Carolina Arboretum - beautiful botanical gardens within Pisgah National Forest
✮ Western North Carolina Nature Center - a medium-sized nature center with 60 species of animals local to the southern Appalachian mountains
Western North Carolina (including the area surrounding Asheville and the southern/central sections of Pisgah National Forest)
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway - a 469-mile scenic drive from central VA to southwestern NC that offers many beautiful scenic views and diversions
✮ Canopy Ridge Farm, Lake Lure - a fun outdoor aerial adventure park with zip-lining
✮ Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock - has hiking and walking trails that climb up interesting geologic formations that offer scenic views
✮ Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, Hendersonville - a tourist attraction where kids pan for their own gems; there's also a goat farm here
✮ French Broad Adventures, Marshall - a popular outdoor adventure company that offers whitewater rafting, zip-lining, and canyoneering
✮ Gorge Zipline Canopy Tour, Saluda - claims to be "America's steepest, fastest zipline canopy tour"
✮ Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, Lake Lure - a historic bridge that has been converted into a flower garden with more than 2,000 species of plants
✮ Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest - a near-roadside 60-foot waterfall close along US-276 (Pisgah Highway); close to Sliding Rock
✮ Looking Glass Rock, Pisgah National Forest - a large, pluton monolith rock formation that you can hike to the top of
✮ Max Patch, Pisgah National Park - take a short hike to earn views from a bald 4,600ft mountain; a top highlight of the Appalachian Trail
✮ Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville - drive or hike up to the highest mountain on the East Coast (6,684')
✮ Navitat Canopy Adventures, Barnardsville - outstanding zip-lining tours; also offers treetop aerial adventures and offroad driving tours
✮ Pearson's Falls, Saluda - a privately-owned nature preserve with more than 300 species of wildflowers and plants plus a 90-foot waterfall
✮ Pisgah National Forest - one of the premier national forests of the East; 500,000-acres of tall peaks, waterfalls, and 100s of miles of trails
✮ Sliding Rock, Pisgah National Forest - one of the best natural waterslides in the U.S.; unbelievably fun!; close to Looking Glass Falls
✮ Whitewater rafting on the French Broad River - one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the East
Southwestern North Carolina (including Bryson City, Cherokee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Nantahala National Forest)
✮ Cherohala Skyway - a scenic and fully paved 43-mile National Scenic Byway that connects Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC
✮ Crystal Mountain Gem Mine, Brevard - a tourist attraction where kids pan for their own gems and minerals
✮ Dry Falls, Nantahala National Forest - an impressive 65-foot waterfall on NC-64 in the Cullasaja Gorge; you can walk behind the falls
✮ DuPont State Recreational Forest - a fantastic state-run nature preserve with several waterfalls and more than 80 miles of multi-use trails
✮ Fields of the Wood, Murphy - a famous religious park and roadside attraction known for its 300-foot wide Ten Commandments
✮ Gorges State Park, Sapphire - holds more than two dozen waterfalls; very popular with hikers, backpackers, horseback riders, and mtn bikers
✮ Great Smoky Mountains National Park - the most visited national park in the U.S. has scenic views, historic sites, waterfalls, and great hiking
✮ Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City - one of the best scenic railroad rides in the U.S.
✮ Highlands Aerial Park, Scaly Mountain - excellent zip-lining and an aerial adventure park
✮ Mingo Falls, Cherokee Indian Reservation - a stunning 120-foot waterfall found just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
✮ Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee - a cultural and historical museum called a "top 10 Native American experience" by USA Today
✮ Nantahala National Forest - the largest of North Carolina's national forests has 600 miles of trails, whitewater rafting, scenic drives, and more
✮ Nantahala Outdoor Center ("NOC"), Bryson City - one of the greatest outdoor adventure centers in the U.S. (e.g. rafting, kayaking, zip-lining)
✮ Oconaluftee Indian Village, Cherokee - visit a replica of an 18th-century eastern Cherokee community
✮ Tail of the Dragon - a paved scenic drive with a staggering 318 curves in 11 miles; dubbed "America's #1 motorcycle and sports car road"
✮ Wayah Bald Lookout Tower, Nantahala National Forest - a 3-story stone lookout tower on Wayah Bald (mountain) that offers great views
✮ Wheels Through Time Museum, Maggie Valley - one of the best transportation museums in the U.S.; best known for its vintage motorcycles
✮ Whitewater Falls (Upper Falls), Sapphire - one of the tallest waterfalls on the East Coast; while here, also hop into SC and see the Lower Falls
✮ Whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River - one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the East
Central North Carolina: Greensboro and Winston-Salem area
✮ Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro - a science museum that also includes an aquarium, zoo, and an aerial adventure park
✮ Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury - offers stunning scenic views, 48 miles of hiking trails, 15 miles of biking trails, waterfalls, and more
✮ High Point Chest of Drawers, High Point - a 38-foot tall chest of drawers; one of North Carolina's best roadside attractions
✮ International Civil Rights Center & Museum, Greensboro - an important civil rights museum located at the site of a famous non-violent protest
✮ North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer - offers a collection of aircraft, automobiles, and trains on display; biggest focus is on trains
✮ North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro - supposedly the world's "largest natural habitat zoo"; features more than 1,800 animals
✮ Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Winston Salem - a living history museum with several original buildings and interactive activities
✮ Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle - known for its iconic geologic knob, 14 miles of hiking trails, and other outdoor recreation opportunities
✮ Shell Oil Clamshell Station, Winston-Salem - the last remaining Shell Oil station that is shaped like a clamshell; a great roadside attraction
Central North Carolina: Charlotte area
✮ Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte - NFL stadium; home of the Carolina Panthers
✮ Billy Graham Library, Charlotte - explore the life and legacy of the famous religious leader
✮ Carowinds, Charlotte - a large and outstanding amusement park; one of the best amusement parks in the U.S.; more than 55 rides
✮ Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord - one of the most famous NASCAR racing tracks
✮ Discovery Place Science, Charlotte - a great all-ages science and technology museum
✮ Hendrick Motorsports Complex, Charlotte - a small racing car museum
✮ Lazy 5 Ranch, Mooresville - a small, private zoo with over 750 animals; features wagon rides and petting areas
✮ Metalmorphosis, Charlotte - a large and striking kinetic sculpture of a human head; one of North Carolina's best roadside attractions
✮ Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte - one of the largest art museums in the Southeast
✮ NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte - a "shrine to the history and heritage of NASCAR"
✮ North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer - offers a collection of aircraft, automobiles, and trains on display; biggest focus is on trains
✮ Whitewater Center, Charlotte - calls itself the "world's premier outdoor center"; features an artificial whitewater rafting and paddling park
✮ Zmax Dragway, Concord - the world's first four-lane drag-racing strip
Central North Carolina: Durham and Raleigh area
✮ Duke University, Durham - one of the most beautiful college campuses in the U.S.; the campus includes a good art museum
✮ Duke University Chapel, Durham - a stunning and towering cathedral; the "center piece of Duke University's campus"
✮ Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), Durham - one of the top indoor performing arts theaters in the U.S.
✮ JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh - a small but lovely arboretum and botanical garden
✮ Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh - an exceptional children's museum (one of the best in the U.S.)
✮ Museum of Life & Science, Durham - an excellent indoor and outdoor science museum; has a large butterfly exhibit
✮ North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh - one of the best art museums in the southern U.S.
✮ North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh - the largest natural history museum in the Southeast
✮ Pullen Park, Raleigh - a public park with walking trails, a carousel, children's rides and play areas, pedal boat rentals, and more
✮ Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham - beautiful gardens with miles of walking trails
✮ Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Wilson - a small art park featuring windmills and other "whirligigs"; one of NC's top roadside attractions
Central North Carolina: Fayetteville area
✮ 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, Fort Bragg - indoor and outdoor museum exhibits about the famed 82nd Airborne Division
✮ Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville - features, exhibits, dioramas, and artifacts of elite members of the U.S. military
✮ ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure, Fayetteville - a fun aerial adventure park with zip-lining
Northeastern North Carolina (including Corolla, Duck, Hatteras Island, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head, and Ocracoke)
✮ Boat tours from Duck - watersports, sailing tours, parasailing, fishing charters, etc.
✮ Boat tours from Manteo / Roanoke Island - dolphin tours, sightseeing tours, sailing charters, crabbing/shrimping tours, etc.
✮ Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head - a 156-foot tall lighthouse in Cape Hatteras National Seashore
✮ Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton - a famous black-and-white striped lighthouse on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks
✮ Cape Hatteras National Seashore - uncrowded beaches (e.g. Coquina Beach) on a barrier island
✮ Carova Beach, Corolla - 12 miles of undeveloped beaches that extend from the northern border of Corolla to the NC/VA state line
✮ Corolla Adventure Park, Corolla - an excellent aerial adventure park
✮ Corolla beaches - features roughly 20 miles of beaches, some of which you can drive on; this area is referred to as the "northern Outer Banks"
✮ Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla - climb 220 steps up to the top of a historic brick lighthouse
✮ First Flight Adventure Park, Nags Head - a fun aerial adventure park with a zip-line
✮ Jennette's Pier, Nags Head - a popular 1,000-foot long concrete ocean fishing pier
✮ Jockey's Ridge State Park, Nags Head - supposedly the largest natural sand dunes on the East Coast
✮ North Carolina Aquarium, Manteo - one of three great state-run aquariums in North Carolina
✮ OBX Airplanes, Manteo - popular scenic aerial/flying tours of the Outer Banks
✮ Offroad driving tours in Corolla - drive your vehicle on a beach (or take a guided tour); there's a good chance you'll see wild ponies
✮ Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck - an excellent wildlife park with many birds plus gardens and nature trails
✮ Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills - see the site of the first successful powered airplane flight
Southeastern North Carolina (including Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Topsail Beach, Wilmington, and Wrightsville Beach)
✮ Airlie Gardens, Wilmington - walk 67-acres of beautiful garden
✮ Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington - tour a huge World War II-era U.S. Navy battleship
✮ Cape Lookout National Seashore - take a boat ride to explore more than 50 miles of wild beaches on 2 islands; offers beach camping
✮ Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach - a coastal park with great hiking trails, fishing, and boating; a popular spot to see Venus flytraps
✮ Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach - visit an early 1800s coastal fort
✮ Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro - take a ferry to visit an unspoiled beach and three barrier islands; excellent paddling opportunities
✮ Historic District, Wilmington - elegant streets filled with historic buildings; connects with Wilmington's lively riverfront area
✮ Moores Creek National Battlefield, Currie - visit a Revolutionary War battlefield
✮ North Carolina Aquarium, Kure Beach - one of three great state-run aquariums in North Carolina
✮ North Carolina Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores - one of three great state-run aquariums in North Carolina
✮ Oak Island Beach, Oak Island - there are nearly 10 miles of beachfront in the town of Oak Island; great sunrise and sunset viewing spots
✮ Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Wilmington - a historic theatre and performing arts center in downtown Wilmington
✮ Tryon Palace, New Bern - visit the former headquarters of the British governors of North Carolina in the late 1700s
✮ Wrightsville Beach, Wrightsville Beach - a five-mile long beach that is one of the best beaches in NC; popular for surfing and watersports
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in North Carolina? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
For a list of 5-star attractions in neighboring states, click on any of these links:
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VA
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN NORTH CAROLINA
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These towns and cities in North Carolina are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
North Carolina Mountains
✮ Asheville - a medium-sized city famous for its arts scene, breweries, BBQ restaurants, cool/hip culture, and the magnificent Biltmore Estate
✮ Blowing Rock - a small mountain town dubbed the "crown of the Blue Ridge"; close to Grandfather Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad
✮ Boone - a mountain town with great Blue Ridge mountain scenery; known for its Appalachian music heritage and attractive downtown
✮ Bryson City - a small gateway town of Great Smoky Mountains National Park; access to the Appalachian Trail; offers whitewater rafting
✮ Mount Airy - a small city with a historic downtown that has many shops; access to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Central North Carolina
✮ Charlotte - a major city known for its professional sports teams, motorsports, whitewater rafting center, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame
✮ Raleigh - a major city known for its many excellent museums; often called the "Smithsonian of the South"
North Carolina Coast
✮ Beaufort - a small waterfront town known for its maritime history, great seafood restaurants, and excellent boating and fishing opportunities
✮ Nags Head - a small beach town on the Outer Banks that offers many water sports; make sure to visit Jockey's Ridge State Park
✮ Ocracoke - a small town on Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks region; offers excellent beaches, sea shell-hunting, and fishing
✮ Topsail Beach - a small beach town on Topsail Island; known for its beaches, maritime forests, and sea turtles
My favorite city in North Carolina is Asheville - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 4-5 nights there. There are many major attractions in the area, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, and the Biltmore Estate. There are more than 40 breweries in and around the city. Asheville also has some of the best BBQ restaurants in North Carolina, and the city has a great arts scene. All told, Asheville is one of the best mid-sized cities in the U.S.
Click here if you'd like to see a complete list of towns and cities that I find interesting across the entire U.S.
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WHAT IS NORTH CAROLINA FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that North Carolina is famous or well-known for:
✮ aviation history
✮ barrier islands
✮ BBQ
✮ beach piers
✮ beaches
✮ breweries (e.g. in Asheville)
✮ college basketball
✮ driving on the beach
✮ furniture
✮ gem mines
✮ mountains
✮ NASCAR
✮ national forests
✮ national seashores
✮ pork / pig farms
✮ scenic drives
✮ tobacco
✮ whitewater rafting
✮ wild horses
✮ wineries
Click here if you'd like to explore what other U.S. states are famous for.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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There is currently one national park in North Carolina. There are also many other federally-managed parks and properties in the state, including:
National Parks
✮ Great Smoky Mountains National Park - the most visited national park in the U.S. has scenic views, historic sites, waterfalls, and great hiking
National Forests
✮ Cherokee National Forest
✮ Croatan National Forest
✮ Nantahala National Forest
✮ Pisgah National Forest
✮ Uwharrie National Forest
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Appalachian Trail National Scenic Trail
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Cape Hatteras National Seashore
✮ Cape Lookout National Seashore
✮ Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
✮ Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
✮ Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
✮ Moores Creek National Battlefield
✮ Overmountain Vicotry National Historic Trail
✮ Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
✮ Wright Brothers National Memorial
For more information on North Carolina's national parks, visit the North Carolina page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all U.S. national parks, click here.
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STATE PARKS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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North Carolina has more than 40 state parks. The state parks of North Carolina cover a variety of terrain, including beaches and mountainous areas. Here is a list of many of the finest state parks in North Carolina:
Northwestern North Carolina (including the Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Linville areas)
✮ Grandfather Mountain State Park, Linville - a mountainous park with fantastic hiking trails (including some that scale ladders)
✮ Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap - known for its 600-foot granite dome, mid-19th century farm, fly-fishing, and hiking trails
Western North Carolina (including the Asheville area and the southern and central sections of Pisgah National Forest)
✮ Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock - has hiking and walking trails that climb up interesting geologic formations that offer scenic views
✮ Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville - drive or hike up to the highest mountain on East Coast (6,684')
Southwestern North Carolina (including Bryson City, Cherokee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Nantahala National Forest)
✮ DuPont State Recreational Forest - a fantastic state-run nature preserve with several waterfalls and more than 80 miles of multi-use trails
✮ Gorges State Park, Sapphire - holds more than two dozen waterfalls; very popular with hikers, backpackers, horseback riders, and mtn bikers
Central North Carolina (including Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem)
✮ Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury - offers stunning scenic views, 48 miles of hiking trails, 15 miles of biking trails, waterfalls, and more
✮ Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle - known for its iconic geologic knob, 14 miles of hiking trails, and other outdoor recreation opportunities
Northeastern North Carolina (including Corolla, Duck, Hatteras Island, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head, and Ocracoke)
✮ Jockey's Ridge State Park, Nags Head - supposedly the largest natural sand dunes on the East Coast
Southeastern North Carolina (including Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Topsail Beach, Wilmington, and Wrightsville Beach)
✮ Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach - a coastal park with great hiking trails, fishing, and boating; a popular spot to see Venus flytraps
✮ Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach - visit an early 1800s coastal fort
✮ Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro - take a ferry to visit an unspoiled beach and three barrier islands; excellent paddling opportunities
To see my list of the top 100 state parks in the country, click here.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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North Carolina has several hundred natural waterfalls, making it one of the very best states in the country for waterfall hunting. Here are some of the best waterfalls in North Carolina:
Northwestern North California
✮ Linville Falls in Linville Gorge Wilderness
Western North Carolina (including the Asheville area)
✮ Hickory Nut Falls in Chimney Rock State Park
✮ High Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest
✮ Triple Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest
Pisgah National Forests (in western and southwestern NC)
✮ Crabtree Falls in Pisgah National Forest
✮ Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest
✮ Moore Cove Falls Pisgah National Forest
✮ Rainbow Falls in Pisgah National Forest
✮ Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest
Nantahala National Forest (in southwestern NC)
✮ Bridal Veil Falls in Nantahala National Forest
✮ Cullasaja Falls in Nantahala National Forest
✮ Dry Falls in Nantahala National Forest
✮ Glen Falls in Nantahala National Forest
✮ Silver Run Falls in Nantahala National Forest
✮ Upper Whitewater Falls in Nantahala National Forest
Southwestern North Carolina
✮ Mingo Falls in Cherokee Indian Reservation
Take note that there is also a famous waterfall called Crabtree Falls in Virginia. The Crabtree Falls in North Carolina is obviously different.
For a listing of all known waterfalls in North Carolina, visit the World Waterfall Database.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN NORTH CAROLINA
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in North Carolina:
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway - an exceptional 469-mile paved route from US-441 in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
✮ Cherohala Skyway
- a 51-mile paved route from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC using both TN-165 an NC-143
✮ Mount Mitchell Scenic Byway - a 52-mile paved route from I-26 (exit 9) that uses US-19, US-19E, NC-80, the Blue Ridge Parkway, & NC-128
✮ Newfound Gap Road/US-441 - a 35-mile paved route from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC through a high pass in the Great Smoky Mtns
✮ Outer Banks Scenic Byway - a 138-mile paved route along the northern coastline of NC; the drive requires two drive-on boat/ferry rides
✮ Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap - a 25-mile paved route from Roan Mountain, TN (highway TN-143) to Bakersville, NC (highway NC-261)
✮ Tail of the Dragon
- an 11-mile paved route on US-129 with 318 curves from Chilhowee Lake in Tallassee, TN to Deals Gap/NC-28 in NC
I have only driven a portion of 76-mile Forest Heritage Scenic Byway in Pisgah National Forest (which includes US-276, US-64, and NC-215). I know there are several great attractions off this road (e.g. Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls), but I'm not sure how scenic the actual road is itself.
I also want to drive the 61-mile Mountain Waters Scenic Byway through Nantahala National Forest at some point to see if it's scenic enough to be included in my list above. I know it provides access to at least a few waterfalls (some of which might be roadside). This route includes the Cullasaja River Gorge area.
For a list of great scenic drives in each U.S. state, click here.
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BEST OCEAN BEACHES IN NORTH CAROLINA
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North Carolina has many fantastic beaches. Here are many of the very best beaches in the state:
Northern coastline (from Ocracoke north to the Virginia border)
✮ Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches
✮ Carova Beach, Corolla
✮ Coquina Beach, Nags Head
✮ Corolla Beach, Corolla
✮ Currituck Beach, Corolla
✮ Frisco Beach, Frisco
✮ Kitty Hawk beaches
✮ Nags Head beaches
✮ Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge beaches
Southern coastline
(from the Georgia border north to Cedar Island / Cape Lookout National Seashore)
✮ Cape Lookout National Seashore beaches
✮ Carolina Beach, Carolina Beach
✮ Emerald Isle Beach, Emerald Isle
✮ Hammocks Beach State Park beaches
✮ Kure Beach, Kure Beach
✮ Masonboro Island Reserve beaches - accessible by boat only
✮ Onslow Beach, Sneads Ferry
✮ Pine Knoll Shores beaches
✮ Radio Island Public Beach, Beaufort
✮ Surf City beaches
✮ Topsail Beach, Topsail Beach
✮ Wrightsville Beach, Wrightsville Beach
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in North Carolina:
Central North Carolina (including Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem)
✮ American Tobacco Trail
✮ Little Sugar Creek Greenway
✮ Neuse River Trail
✮ Thermal Belt Rail Trail
✮ Walnut Creek Trail
Southeastern North Carolina (including Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Topsail Beach, Wilmington, and Wrightsville Beach)
✮ Gary Shell Cross-City Trail
For detailed information on all known rail trails in North Carolina, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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There are few notable amusement parks in North Carolina, including:
Northwestern North Carolina (including the Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Linville areas)
✮ Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock
Southwestern North Carolina (including Bryson City, Cherokee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Nantahala National Forest)
✮ Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo, Cherokee
Central North Carolina (including Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem)
✮ Carolina Harbor, Charlotte
✮ Carowinds, Charlotte
✮ Frankie's of Raleigh, Raleigh
✮ Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe, Greensboro
Northeastern North Carolina (including Corolla, Duck, Hatteras Island, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head, and Ocracoke)
✮ H2OBX Waterpark, Powells Point
Southeastern North Carolina (including Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Topsail Beach, Wilmington, and Wrightsville Beach)
✮ Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, Wilmington
✮ Water Boggan, Emerald Isle
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BEST MUSEUMS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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North Carolina has many great museums. The best museums in North Carolina include:
Northwestern North Carolina (including the Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Linville areas)
✮ Biltmore Estate, Asheville
✮ Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, Bryson City
Southwestern North Carolina (including Bryson City, Cherokee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Nantahala National Forest)
✮ House of Flags Museum, Columbus
✮ Mountain Farm Museum, Cherokee
✮ Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee
✮ Oconaluftee Indian Village, Cherokee
✮ Scottish Tartans Museum, Franklin
✮ Wheels Through Time Museum, Maggie Valley
Central North Carolina (including Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem)
✮ Andy Griffith Museum, Mount Airy
✮ Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville
✮ Discovery Place Science, Charlotte
✮ Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro
✮ Hendrick Motorsports Museum, Concord
✮ International Civil Rights Center & Museum, Greensboro
✮ Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh
✮ Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte
✮ Museum of Life & Science, Durham
✮ NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte
✮ North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
✮ North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh
✮ North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
✮ North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer
✮ Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Winston Salem
✮ Richard Petty Museum, Randleman
Northeastern North Carolina (including Corolla, Duck, Hatteras Island, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head, and Ocracoke)
✮ Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills
Southeastern North Carolina (including Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Topsail Beach, Wilmington, and Wrightsville Beach)
✮ Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington
✮ Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach
✮ North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort
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BEST DAY HIKES IN NORTH CAROLINA
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North Carolina is absolutely packed with fantastic hiking trails. Here are some of the best day hikes in North Carolina:
Northwestern North Carolina (including the Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Linville areas)
✮ Calloway Peak via the Profile Trail, Grandfather Mountain State Park
✮ Grandfather Trail,
Grandfather Mountain State Park
✮ Hawksbill Mountain, Linville Gorge Wilderness
✮ Shortoff Mountain, Linville Gorge Wilderness
✮ Table Rock Mountain, Linville Gorge Wilderness
✮ Tanawha Trail to Rough Ridge, Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Moses H. Cone Memorial Park trails (e.g. Flat Top Mountain)
Western North Carolina (including the Asheville area)
✮ Black Balsam Knob, Shining Rock Wilderness Area
✮ Chimney Rock State Park trails
✮ Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Craggy Pinnacle Trail,
Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ High Falls & Triple Falls, DuPont State Recreational Forest
✮ Mount Mitchell, Mount Mitchell State Park & Pisgah National Forest
✮ Rainbow Falls, Gorges State Park
Pisgah National Forest (in western and southwestern NC)
✮ Art Loeb Trail-Shining Rock
✮ Grassy Ridge Bald
✮ John Rock Trail Loop
✮ Looking Glass Rock
✮ Max Patch
✮ Moore Cove Falls
✮ Mount Mitchell, Mount Mitchell State Park & Pisgah National Forest
✮ Mount Pisgah
✮ Roan Mountain
✮ Sam Knob Trail
When visiting Pisgah National Forest, make sure to also visit Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock. Both require only short walks from their designated parking areas. Both of these places are very busy and the parking areas may be full, especially on weekends.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (in southwestern NC)
✮ Alum Cave
✮ Brushy Mountain
✮ Charlies Bunion
✮ Clingmans Dome
✮ Gregory Bald
✮ Hemphill Bald
✮ Mount Cammerer
✮ Mount LeConte
✮ Ramsey Cascades
Nantahala National Forest (in southwestern NC)
✮ Dry Falls
✮ Glen Falls
✮ Huckleberry Knob
✮ Wesser Bald Fire Tower
✮ Whiteside Mountain
Northcentral North Carolina
✮ Hanging Rock Trail, Hanging Rock State Park
✮ Lower Cascade Falls Trail, Hanging Rock State Park
✮ Moores Knob Trail, Hanging Rock State Park
✮ Stone Mountain State Park trails (e.g. Stone Mountain Loop Trail)
Southcentral North Carolina (including the Charlotte area)
✮ Crowders Mountain State Park trails (e.g. The Pinnacle)
Southeastern North Carolina
✮ Carolina Beach State Park trails
The highpoint of North Carolina is Mount Mitchell (6,684'). You can drive-up and then take a short walk to the top (in season), or you can day hike or backpack to the top (very difficult).
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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North Carolina offers many great backpacking opportunities, including some of the best trips on the East Coast. Some of the premier backpacking routes/areas in North Carolina include:
✮ Appalachian Trail
✮ Art Loeb Trail
✮ Black Mountain Crest Trail
✮ Grandfather Mountain
✮ Great Smoky Mountains National Park
✮ Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness
✮ Linville Gorge
✮ Mountains-to-Sea Trail
✮ Mount Mitchell
✮ Shining Rock Wilderness
✮ Uwharrie National Forest
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN NORTH CAROLINA
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North Carolina offers a huge amount of outdoor adventures, including these classics:
✮ Backpacking the Appalachian Trail
✮ Backpacking the Art Loeb Trail
✮ Backpacking Grandfather Mountain
✮ Backpacking Great Smoky Mountains National Park
✮ Backpacking Linville Gorge
✮ Bouldering in/near Boone
✮ Bouldering at Hanging Rock State Park
✮ Bouldering at Rumbling Bald
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the French Broad River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the Haw River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the New River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the Outer Banks
✮ Cycling the American Tobacco Trail
✮ Cycling the Neuse River Trail
✮ Fly-fishing in Stone Mountain State Park
✮ Helicopter tours in Manteo and Oak Island
✮ Horseback riding in Marshall
✮ Hot air ballooning in Candler (near Asheville)
✮ Kayaking in Cedar Point
✮ Kayaking in Kill Devil Hills
✮ Kite-boarding in Rodanthe
✮ Mountain biking in Bent Creek Experimental Forest
✮ Mountain biking in Bent Creek Experimental Forest
✮ Mountain biking Dupont State Forest
✮ Mountain biking the Fire Mountain Trails in Cherokee
✮ Mountain biking the Jackrabbit Mountain trails
✮ Mountain biking at Sugar Mountain Resort
✮ Mountain biking in Tsali Recreation Area (part of the Nantahala National Forest)
✮ Parasailing in Beaufort, Corolla, Duck, Hatteras, or Ocracoke
✮ Rock climbing at Crowder's Mountain State Park
✮ Rock climbing at Hanging Rock State Park
✮ Rock climbing at Linville Gorge
✮ Rock climbing at Looking Glass in Pisgah National Forest
✮ Rock climbing at Pilot Mountain State Park
✮ Rock climbing at Rumbling Bald near Chimney Rock
✮ Skydiving in Chester, Maiden, Manteo, Raeford, Salisbury, or Southport
✮ Surfing in Ocean Isle Beach
✮ Surfing in Wrightsville Beach
✮ Tubing on the French Broad River
✮ Tubing on the New River
✮ Whitewater rafting the Cheoah River
✮ Whitewater rafting the French Broad River
✮ Whitewater rafting the Natahala River
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BEST SKI RESORTS IN NORTH CAROLINA
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There are a few ski areas in North Carolina, but they are all on the smaller side from a national perspective. The largest ski area is Sugar Mountain, which has 20 trails and a vertical drop of 1,200ft.
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NORTH CAROLINA TRAVEL TIPS
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN NORTH CAROLINA
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in North Carolina:
✮ boiled peanuts
✮ BBQ-Lexington style
✮ cheerwine soda
✮ cheese straws
✮ cole slaw
✮ hushpuppies
✮ livermush
✮ Moravian style cookies
✮ pimento cheese
✮ pulled pork sandwich
✮ sweet tea
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in North Carolina (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each of the 50 U.S. states, click here.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in North Carolina (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY NORTH CAROLINA INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about North Carolina:
State Capital:
Raleigh
Major Airports:
Charlotte and Raleigh
Largest Cities:
Charlotte (903,211), Raleigh (480,419), Greensboro (304,909), Durham (294,542), Winston-Salem (253,531)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-26, I-40, I-73, I-74, I-77, I-85, I-95
State Highpoint:
Mount Mitchell (6,684'); you can drive-up and then take a short walk to the top (in season), or you can hike or backpack to the top (very difficult)
Professional Sports Teams:
NBA: Charlotte Hornets
NFL: Carolina Panthers
NHL: Carolina Hurricanes
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Bat Cave, Climax, Horneytown, Lizard Lick, Loafers Glory, Rabbit Shuffle, Shoofly, Stiffknee Knob, and Stumpy Point
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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Slide Rock, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
views from Max Patch in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina
Biltmore Estate Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina
baseball water tower in Zebulon, North Carolina
Chimney Rock State Park, North Carolina
views from Max Patch in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina
Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any book cover to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com.
 
 
 
 
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MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or those that come highly recommended by trusted peers.
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