With three regions—mountain, Piedmont, and coastal plain—North Carolina soars from Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern US, to the crashing Atlantic. The cities and towns mirror that natural diversity, ranging from cultural hot spots like Asheville to beach getaways like Corolla to mountain gems like Boone. With mild temps across the seasons, the Tar Heel State is a year-round destination, though perhaps fall shines brightest with its vivid autumn hues. Of note: Basketball and barbecue are big here.
North Carolina may not be the biggest state on the US map, but with 6,000-plus feet (1,800-plus meters) of elevation, your “when and why to visit” can be just about anytime for any reason. If you’re headed to the mountains, follow the leaf-peeping flocks and visit to overlap with the state’s riotous fall color. If you’re heading toward the Outer Banks and the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll have 60ºF (15°C) days most of the year—avoid crowds coming in winter.
As with any US state, North Carolina was built for highways. It does make for a fantastic road trip—you can go for a mountain hike in the morning and still catch an ocean sunset. If you’re in Greensboro or what's known as the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), you can take the bus, but most trips and destinations require a car.
If you’re looking for a destination-worthy scenic drive, look no further than the Blue Ridge Parkway, bordering both the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks. The Linn Cove Viaduct, one of the parkway's most famous views, is at mile marker 304, about 90 minutes northeast of Asheville by car. As one of the original 13 colonies, North Carolina has history around every corner. You'll also find loads of great barbecue—Lexington is the home of the state’s traditional spice-and-vinegar mop.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone EDT (UTC -5) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 31 | Tours 323 | Reviews 15,113 |
Most agree that the number one attraction in North Carolina is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—the most popular US national park, with some 14 million annual visitors. That being said, the Blue Ridge Parkway, called America’s prettiest drive, attracts nearly 16 million visitors a year. Neither disappoints.
...MoreNorth Carolina has many claims to fame. Certainly it’s famous for the Appalachian Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's also well-known for its college basketball rivalries—specifically UNC and Duke. History buffs know it for its pirate (Blackbeard) and aviation (Wright Brothers) history and for Asheville’s Biltmore Estate.
...MoreNorth Carolina has many pretty spots. Beach lovers may find Cape Hatteras National Seashore takes the prettiest title—its seascapes stretches for 70 miles (113 kilometers). Mountaineers enjoy spots such as Grandfather Mountain and Chimney Rock State Park, a mountain about 30 miles from Asheville that's topped with a US flag.
...MoreWhich Carolina is better depends on what you want to do. North Carolina has more mountains (and they're taller), more pro sports teams, and typically bigger crowds at tourist attractions. South Carolina teems with historic spots from the Colonial era, quieter natural areas like marshes, and small towns like Greenville.
...MoreYes, Charlotte, a city of nearly 1 million in North Carolina, is worth visiting. It weaves together history—at spots like the Levine Museum of the New South—with modern attractions, everything from the NASCAR Hall of Fame to eclectic restaurants serving everything from down-home barbecue to modern takes on Southern cuisine.
...MoreCharlotte is famous for many reasons—including its pro sports teams, US National Whitewater Center, NASCAR Hall of Fame, and UNC-Charlotte. It's also the country's second-largest banking hub. There are loads of hip neighborhoods like NoDa (North Davidson), which come chock-full of restaurants, museums, and things to do.
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