If you’ve by no means checked out any of the perfect locations to go to in North Carolina earlier than, then put together to be pleasantly stunned. It’s unimaginable that one state can have a lot various surroundings.
I grew up in North Carolina and have a severe love for the state. I’m right here to make your journey planning straightforward with this checklist of the 29 finest locations to go to in North Carolina.
From the mountains in the west to the central Piedmont cities and the Outer Banks seashores in the east, North Carolina fairly actually has all of it.
Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an impartial reader-supported weblog. You can help us by buying by way of the affiliate hyperlinks on this web page, which can earn us commissions. Thank you!
29 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
America’s most visited nationwide park, good for the entire household
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Great Smoky Mountains Hotels on Booking
The Great Smoky Mountains is likely one of the finest locations to go to in North Carolina. Being America’s most visited nationwide park, it’s already a preferred vacation spot, however for good purpose. This subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains is crammed with lush forests, open meadows, and a wide range of native plant and animal life.
Hiking, biking, fishing, and tenting are all common actions right here. There are various trails starting from straightforward strolling trails alongside rivers to more difficult uphill climbs. This makes it an particularly nice park for households, as there’s a little bit one thing for everybody.
Whether you keep for a weekend or per week, ensure to add the Great Smoky Mountains to your itinerary and expertise the peace and tranquility of this magical park!
Outer Banks
Laid again seashores with charming coastal cities
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Outer Banks Hotels on Booking
The Outer Banks are the outermost islands that create a barrier formation on the east coast of North Carolina. In whole, 130 islands make up the Outer Banks, all with enjoyable seashores and coastal cities.
What makes this such an ideal North Carolina trip vacation spot is the wide range of family-friendly sights in the Outer Banks. For some household enjoyable, Carolina Beach has so much to provide. For extra untouched nature and journey, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores are nice decisions. And for a traditional Outer Banks trip with a mixture of each, Nags Head is the right vacation spot.
Don’t cease there although, the Outer Banks have so many different superb islands and cities price trying out—a lot of that are talked about all through this text!
Blue Ridge Parkway
A surprising drive with mountain surroundings so far as the attention can see
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels on Booking
A visit to North Carolina simply isn’t full with out a drive by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nearly 500 miles of meandering mountain roads weave by way of North Carolina and a part of Virginia, offering guests with beautiful mountain surroundings. This makes it the most effective locations to go to in North Carolina.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is residence to an infinite variety of mountain climbing trails, tenting spots, rivers, and waterfalls. Quaint mountain cities are additionally scattered all through this area of North Carolina. If you’re a nature lover or out of doors fanatic, ensure to add this to your itinerary. It’ll be straightforward for you to see why this parkway is named “America’s favorite drive.”
👉 Just visiting North Carolina for a couple of days? Then ensure to learn our carry-on solely packing checklist.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Soar above the clouds on the very best mountain peak east of the Mississippi
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Burnsville Hotels on Booking
At 6,366 ft above sea degree, Mount Mitchell is the very best peak east of the Mississippi. It’s the right day journey from Asheville and surrounding areas, and one among my all time favourite parks in the area.
The park is situated proper off the Blue Ridge Parkway, accessible by automobile and a brief stroll to the viewing platform. At the highest of the platform, you’ll be greeted with 360-degree views of the encircling mountain panorama. If you’re wanting to hike, the park has many scenic trails to hit up.
The park additionally has a present store, museum, and restaurant. With so many issues to do and methods to take pleasure in this park, Mount Mitchell makes for a unbelievable household vacation spot.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
A peaceable seashore escape with ever-changing islands, formed by nature
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Cape Hatteras Hotels on Booking
North of Cape Lookout is Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which is the easternmost level of North Carolina. If you’re searching for pure Outer Banks magnificence and tons of alternatives for journey, that is it. It’s the most effective locations to go to in North Carolina, and it’s nice for the entire household.
Cape Hatteras is definitely one of many largest sections of the Outer Banks, so there’s no scarcity of issues to do. Think kayaking, swimming, and even horseback using by way of the woods and seashore. Witness wildlife on the native wildlife refuge, or see sea turtles lay their eggs on the seashore.
Overall, Cape Hatteras is the right place to go for that blend of pure magnificence, out of doors recreation, and traditional seashore enjoyable.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
An undeveloped seashore filled with historical past and wild horses
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Cape Lookout Hotels on Expedia
Just off the North Carolina mainland are the barrier islands that make up Cape Lookout National Seashore. This space has pristine seashores that stretch for 56 miles and the world stays largely undeveloped. To attain Cape Lookout, you’ll want to take a ferry.
The predominant attraction of Cape Lookout is its untouched pure magnificence. Visitors can keep in rustic cabins and even camp on the seashore. Another must-see attraction, although, are the wild horses that may be seen on Cape Lookout’s southernmost edge, Shackleford Bank. Other sights embody Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters, and Portsmouth Village.
Hanging Rock State Park
A nature haven simply north of the Piedmont
Read more: 14 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina in 2022
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Winston-Salem Hotels on Booking
Just north of Winston-Salem in the Piedmont is Hanging Rock State Park. Hanging Rock gives all the pieces you may ask for in a nature park: trails, tenting, picnicking spots, rivers, and waterfalls. This nature park even has a seashore for swimming and locations to canoe.
With practically 8,000 acres of land, Hanging Rock State Park makes for the right nature getaway if the Great Smoky Mountains are too far. One of the most well-liked, must-do hikes is Hanging Rock Trail, which is a semi-challenging 2.6-mile roundtrip path that rewards you with panoramic views.
Asheville
An artsy, eclectic metropolis nestled in the encircling Blue Ridge Mountains
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Asheville Hotels on Booking
Asheville is situated in the guts of Western North Carolina amongst the encircling Blue Ridge Mountains. This artsy metropolis is filled with character and boasts quite a lot of the area’s finest in phrases of meals, artwork, tradition, and beer.
What makes Asheville particularly common although, is its proximity to nature and accessibility to out of doors actions. This contains infinite alternatives for mountain climbing, mountain biking, river kayaking, tenting, mountaineering, and a lot extra. The well-known Biltmore Estate can be situated right here.
At its core, Asheville is a nature lovers paradise whereas nonetheless offering the tradition and comfort of being in the town. As somebody who grew up proper outdoors of Asheville, I can say that it’s the most effective locations to go to in North Carolina. Check out my information to what to do in Asheville to get planning your journey.
Charlotte
A enjoyable metropolis filled with artwork, facilities, and sights
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Charlotte Hotels on Booking
Charlotte is the most important metropolis in the state, and its number of sights and facilities actually make it the most effective locations to go to in North Carolina. In reality, it’s one of many quickest rising cities in America.
Uptown and surrounding neighborhoods like NoDa and Plaza Midwood provide unimaginable eating, purchasing, and leisure. Meanwhile, different North Carolina sights like Carowinds, the U.S. National Whitewater Center, and the Nascar Hall of Fame are all situated right here.
And with Charlotte being situated in the Piedmont, it’s the right vacation spot for taking day journeys to different locations all through North Carolina.
Wilmington
Close to close by seashores and a downtown filled with historical past and allure
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Wilmington Hotels on Booking
Wilmington, North Carolina is a good trip vacation spot for guests of all ages. It combines a few of the Outer Banks’ finest, with its historic, waterfront downtown space and entry to Cape Fear seashores like Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Kure Beach.
Visitors can take pleasure in a plethora of actions in Wilmington, too. The space has tons of historical past and palms on museums, in addition to a WWII-era battleship that may be toured. Wilmington can be residence to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, which is likely one of the finest waterparks in the state.
For slower-paced actions, the downtown has tons of historic sights, native retailers, and loads of tasty eating places, espresso retailers, and breweries.
Chapel Hill
Visit North Carolina’s most well-known school city for quintessential Carolina allure
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Chapel Hill Hotels on Booking
You don’t have to be a scholar or sports activities fanatic to take pleasure in a visit to Chapel Hill. Located adjoining to UNC Chapel Hill’s campus, this small city is steeped with traditional Carolina allure. In reality, UNC’s groups are often known as the Carolina Tar Heels, reflective of North Carolina’s nickname of “the Tar Heel state.”
The heart of downtown Chapel Hill on Franklin Street is the middle of the motion. The avenue buzzes with school college students. You’ll discover tons of native eating places, cafes, pubs, and retailers.
A visit to go to Chapel Hill isn’t full with out a stroll by way of UNC’s campus. You also needs to ensure to go to the Morehead Planetarium. While you’re in the world, take a look at close by Carrboro for its cute retailers and cafes.
Raleigh
A metropolis recognized for its larger training, museums, and rising meals scene
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Raleigh Hotels on Booking
The capital metropolis of Raleigh, North Carolina is situated in the central Piedmont of the state, inside the “Research Triangle.” Known because the “the City of Oaks,” Raleigh has grown more and more common in current years and is a good vacation spot for guests of all ages.
Some of the perfect museums in North Carolina are situated right here. This contains the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in addition to the North Carolina Museum of History. There are additionally parks, gardens, and greenways galore, and locations like William B. Umstead State Park and Falls Lake State Recreation Area are close by.
Lastly, Raleigh has change into a booming foodie hotspot, so ensure to check out native eating places and breweries!
Elizabeth City
An inviting small city often known as the Harbor of Hospitality
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Elizabeth City Hotels on Booking
Elizabeth City is a small, charming city situated on the northern inland coast of North Carolina. The tranquil waters of the Pasquotank River snake by way of the city, giving it a calming waterfront ambiance. Elizabeth City is a city filled with historical past and Southern allure, which makes it the right vacation spot for a quiet getaway.
Popular issues to do right here embody exploring the historic downtown, sitting by the waterfront, and visiting the Museum of Albemarle the place you possibly can study all about native historical past. Elizabeth City can be residence to the most important U.S. Coast Guard base in the nation.
Durham
This small, industrious metropolis has historical past and sights price trying out
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Durham Hotels on Booking
Durham (often known as the “Bull City”) is a small, rising metropolis situated close to Raleigh and Chapel Hill, and inside North Carolina’s “Research Triangle.” In current a long time, Durham’s cityscape has undergone main transformations.
Read more: The Top 4 Cities to Visit in North Carolina
This contains the American Tobacco Historic District. What was as soon as an industrial district with warehouses, is now the town’s premier district for purchasing, eating places, taphouses, and leisure.
North Carolina’s prestigious Duke University can be situated in Durham and undoubtedly price trying out. The historic campus options open inexperienced areas and Gothic-style structure. The Duke University Chapel and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens are additionally price a go to. Overall, Durham is a vacation spot turning into more and more common for its artsy vibe and meals scene.
Emerald Isle
Relaxing seashores and tiny cities good for a quaint summer season trip
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Emerald Isle Hotels on Booking
In the middle of the Outer Banks’ barrier islands is Emerald Isle, a calming trip hotspot. What makes this space so particular are the small communities and tiny coastal seashore cities that line the coast. Each has its personal distinctive aptitude, but they nonetheless stay related by the waters of the Crystal Coast.
The seashores of Emerald Isle provide tons of household enjoyable from fishing to watersports. The space purposely lacks excessive rises to forestall overdevelopment, in order to keep the pure magnificence. Lastly, in the event you go to in the late summer season or early fall, you could catch a glimpse of nesting sea turtles. Just keep in mind to take all the pieces you want for a calming seashore trip!
Pisgah National Forest
A tenting and mountain climbing paradise with over 250 waterfalls
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Pisgah Forest Hotels on Booking
Situated between Asheville, Brevard, and Waynesville is Pisgah National Forest. This lovely, family-friendly park has over 500,000 acres of wilderness, waterfalls, and infinite mountain climbing alternatives. In reality, it’s often known as the most effective locations to go to in North Carolina (and even the nation!) for out of doors adventures and recreation.
Popular issues to do in Pisgah National Forest embody driving by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway, mountain climbing, mountain biking, tenting, and picnicking. There are additionally tons of cool sights like Sliding Rock, Cradle of Forestry, Looking Glass Falls, and Looking Glass Rock.
👉 Pro Tip: In the winter, a few of the roads shut on the Blue Ridge Parkway and you may really stroll these closed-off areas!
Lake Lure
Water sports activities and out of doors sights galore, good for households
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Lake Lure Hotels on Booking
In the foothills of North Carolina sits Lake Lure, an idyllic but adventure-filled vacation spot that’s the most effective locations to go to in North Carolina. Most of the lake is surrounded by personal properties, however a piece of the seashore is open to the general public in {the summertime} for a small price. It’s the right place to come on a scorching summer season day, and there’s even a waterpark.
Another must-see attraction close to Lake Lure is Chimney Rock State Park. This park has a pure “Chimney Rock” monolith with unimaginable views of the mountains and lake. On a transparent day, you possibly can see so far as 75 miles. At just below an hour from Asheville, Lake Lure makes for a unbelievable day journey.
👉 Did You Know? The 1987 film Dirty Dancing was really filmed at Lake Lure!
Carolina Beach
The good, family-friendly seashore getaway for solar, enjoyable, and sights galore
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Carolina Beach Hotels on Booking
Looking for household enjoyable? Carolina Beach is your vacation spot. Located simply outdoors of Wilmington, this seashore city has sufficient sights and seashore actions to preserve your loved ones entertained for the complete length of your keep.
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk is taken into account one among America’s finest and has amusement rides, an arcade, biking, and water sports activities because it’s proper on the water. For adults, Carolina Beach has tiki bars and beer gardens for some nightlife enjoyable.
Lastly, this city has some unfiltered nature to discover, at Carolina Beach State Park or alongside the Cape Fear River inlet.
Kitty Hawk
A seashore city with cool historical past and tons of laid-back out of doors actions
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Kitty Hawk Hotels on Booking
If something about North Carolina, you most likely know that it’s dubbed because the birthplace of aviation (don’t remind Ohioans of this—it’s a sensitive topic). This is as a result of the Wright Brothers achieved their first profitable flight in North Carolina—proper close to Kitty Hawk at Kill Devil Hills.
Today, Kitty Hawk gives a bit greater than being the birthplace of this historic accomplishment. The city boasts lovely seashores and coastal actions like kayaking and browsing. The space can be residence to full-time Outer Banks residents, giving the city a low-key and residential really feel, good for a laid-back seashore trip.
To study extra concerning the Wright Brothers’ historic flight, ensure to go to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Bald Head Island
Enjoy a slow-paced trip on this car-free island
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Bald Head Island Hotels on Booking
Bald Head Island is the right place for anybody to go for a trip reset—households, buddies, and {couples} alike. Located on Cape Fear simply south of Wilmington, it’s the southernmost island of the Outer Banks. The car-free island will be reached by taking a ferry from Southport.
Once on the island, guests can benefit from the island’s untouched pure magnificence in a wide range of methods. The lengthy stretches of pristine shoreline make it an ideal place to paddleboard and even surf. Besides the seashore, the island additionally has lovely marsh and forest areas, splendid for extra out of doors exploration.
Old Salem
Step again in time and expertise essential tales and cultural historical past
Read more: 14 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina in 2022
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Winston-Salem Hotels on Booking
Technically part of the town of Winston Salem, Old Salem is a historic district price trying out in the event you occur to be in Winston-Salem or close by. Here, you’ll give you the option to step again in time and get a style of dwelling historical past. The museum and gardens inform the tales of Black, Moravian, and Indigenous folks of the American South.
A wonderful assortment of artifacts and humanities from life in early the South are featured right here. This contains furnishings, art work, metalwork, and extra. Overall, it is a unbelievable cultural and academic landmark.
Grandfather Mountain
An iconic nature park with a mile excessive swinging bridge and tons of outside exploration
Read more: 15 Best Places To Visit In North Carolina ( Unique Vacation Spots)
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Banner Elk Hotels on Booking
Grandfather Mountain is a nature park situated an hour and a half northeast of Asheville and simply south of Boone. This park is usually photographed for its iconic mile-high swinging bridge which is the very best suspension footbridge in America. At 5,946 ft above sea degree, you’ll tower over the encircling mountains for spectacular views.
The park additionally has strolling trails and loads of academic reveals and applications on the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum, making it a fantastic household vacation spot. If you propose on having lunch right here, they’ve tons of areas for picnicking, or you possibly can eat at Mildred’s Grill.
Lake Toxaway
The good luxurious mountain retreat
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Lake Toxaway Hotels on Booking
Lake Toxaway is a quaint, but luxurious, mountain city nestled in the southwestern nook of North Carolina, not removed from the South Carolina border. This mountain retreat has the most important personal lake in the state and is likely one of the extra hidden locations to go to in North Carolina.
Visitors can keep on the Greystone Inn or hire trip cottages alongside or close to the lake. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating are common methods to benefit from the lake, and lots of waterfall trails dot the world. Downtown Lake Toxaway has charming retailers and eating places as effectively. This is a perfect vacation spot for these searching for a extra personal, luxurious mountain expertise.
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
A delegated space that celebrates southern Appalachian tradition and custom
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Asheville Hotels on Booking
The Appalachian Mountains have a wealthy historical past—one among arts, crafts, tradition, and music custom, in addition to pure magnificence that’s price defending. If you’re searching for native tradition and an actual style of southern Appalachia, this federally designated space in North Carolina is the place to be.
Throughout the 25 most western counties in North Carolina, you’ll discover all the pieces that makes this area distinctive. Think farmers markets and gem mines, Appalachian artwork and folklore, and distinctive mountain cities. And in fact, you possibly can’t neglect concerning the apparent pure magnificence and out of doors sights that make this area so particular.
Linville Gorge and Falls
Visit “the Grand Canyon of the East” inside Pisgah National Forest
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Morganton Hotels on Booking
As one of the well-known and photographed areas in Western North Carolina, it’s protected to say that Linville Gorge and Falls is charming. The gorge itself is 12 miles lengthy and Linville Falls has a 90-foot drop.
If you’re a extra skilled hiker, this space is particularly unbelievable. Tons of difficult mountain climbing trails provide rewarding views and there are many locations for tenting and backpacking. If you’re searching for simpler hikes, 5 viewing areas will be reached by two trails close to the Visitors Center. Be positive to learn my North Carolina packing checklist to ensure you come ready!
Merchant’s Millpond State Park
An enchanting park filled with trails, swamps, and Spanish moss
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Elizabeth City Hotels on Booking
Looking for one thing a little bit totally different? Take a visit to this enchanting state park filled with strolling trails surrounded by hardwood forest and swamps with Spanish moss. Merchant’s Millpond has remained seemingly unchanged all through time, and nonetheless maintains its distinctive atmosphere of plants and wildlife.
Popular actions embody canoeing by way of the swamp, picnicking on the grounds, and even fishing. Because this state park is situated solely 45 minutes west of Elizabeth City, it’s a fantastic day journey to make from the North Carolina coast and Outer Banks.
Little Switzerland
A small, native gem nestled excessive in the mountains, good for {couples}
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Little Switzerland Hotels on Expedia
Located a bit off the overwhelmed path of the Blue Ridge Parkway is Little Switzerland. This tiny neighborhood is quaint, cute, and meant to be a calming getaway. It’s particularly splendid for {couples} wanting to escape into the enjoyable mountain ambiance.
Only a couple of inns and retailers make up Little Switzerland, making nature the actual star of the present. Still, guests can take pleasure in a pleasant meal with mountain views at Switzerland Inn, or go informal with a barbecue at Switzerland Cafe & General Store. The city additionally has a fantastic little espresso store and bookstore referred to as Books and Beans. And in fact, there are tons of trails and out of doors actions close by.
Nags Head
A slice of Outer Banks heaven recognized for its gigantic dwelling sand dunes
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Nags Head Hotels on Booking
Nags Head is an iconic Outer Banks city you’re positive to fall in love with. Located in the northern part of the Outer Banks islands, it has lovely, sunny seashores with windblown dunes and grasses, and actions for the entire household to take pleasure in. It’s the form of place the place you possibly can settle in for an prolonged trip and let the hours move by with out a care.
One of the highest sights on Nags Head is Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which has the tallest dwelling sand dunes on the east coast. Whether you propose on participating in water sports activities and actions or simply having fun with slow-paced coastal life, Nags Head is the right Carolina seashore city.
Boone
A mountain city with countless alternatives to journey and discover
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Boone Hotels on Booking
Located in North Carolina’s excessive nation, Boone is an journey lover’s dream. This school mountain city is nestled in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has tons of outside sights and actions. And though its proximity to Appalachian State University provides it a bit of a faculty vibe, the world remains to be family-friendly.
Just like different mountain cities in North Carolina, Boone gives a plethora of mountain climbing trails and unimaginable mountain surroundings. Attractions like Grandfather Mountain (as talked about in this text) and Blowing Rock are close by, providing alternatives for out of doors journey.
Tweetsie Railroad is right here, too, which is a enjoyable theme park for teenagers. Boone can be residence to a ton of ski resorts, making it a fantastic winter sports activities vacation spot.
***
That’s a wrap on the 29 finest locations to go to in North Carolina! I hope this information has helped you slim down your decisions on the place to go in the Tar Heel state. For extra info on North Carolina, take a look at our final North Carolina Guide.
Have enjoyable discovering the perfect North Carolina locations!
Find more Places to travel in north carolina – Indochina Airlines
Source: 🔗