Best Places to Visit in North Carolina

North Carolina boasts more than 300 miles of barrier island beaches, idyllic small towns, and national seashores.

North Carolina is a state that invites exploration at every turn. From the misty peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sun-kissed shores of the Outer Banks, each destination offers its own unique charm and story. Whether you're wandering through Asheville's vibrant arts scene, savoring the collegiate atmosphere of Chapel Hill, or finding tranquility in the Great Smoky Mountains, there's a piece of North Carolina that resonates with every traveler.

In this guide, I've shared personal reflections and highlights from some of my favorite spots across the state. I hope these insights inspire your own journey through the diverse landscapes and communities that make North Carolina so special.

Best Places to Visit in North Carolina:

Asheville, North Carolina: Mountains and Mindfulness

You can get from Austin TX to Asheville on Allegiant Air for $231 (round trip). The flight is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Asheville met me with cool mountain air and the scent of something baking downtown. The town buzzed, but not in a rushed way, more like a soft rhythm you could fall into. Street musicians filled the corners with violin and banjo, and I turned to my husband and said, “This is exactly what we needed.”

We spent the morning at Still Point Wellness, where time felt suspended. I floated in warm saltwater, weightless and quiet, the world gone hush. Afterwards, I moved slower, steadier, like my body finally remembered how to rest.

Later that day, I stood at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and thought, “This view holds every shade of green I’ve ever seen.”

I enjoyed wandering through the River Arts District in the morning. Studios spilled open, painters at their easels, and clay dust hung in the air from pottery wheels. Creativity seemed stitched into every brick and beam.

Where I Ate: We had dinner at Curate, a beloved Spanish restaurant downtown. I ordered tapas: garlicky shrimp that sizzled in olive oil, thin slices of jamón, and a bright tomato bread. Each bite felt simple but layered, the flavors lingering with warmth and spice. The room buzzed with conversation, and the smell of paprika hung in the air.

A downside? Parking downtown was tricky, especially on weekends.

Slow mornings and sweet discoveries in Chapel Hill

The flight from Austin TX to Chapel Hill is about 3 hours ($237).

Chapel Hill is full of history, Southern charm, and a youthful spark. Don't miss strolling along Franklin Street under a canopy of trees, soaking in the warmth of the place and the buzz of students. It's very grounding here.

What I Loved Most: Wandering through the Coker Arboretum (free) at golden hour. The dappled light and hush of campus in early evening made it feel like time had slowed down just for me.

My highlights? A cozy breakfast at Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, a drive-thru gem loved by locals. I had their famous chicken biscuit ($4.99), crispy, peppery chicken tucked into a buttery biscuit, with a side of hash browns. I ate it in the car with the windows down, parked under a tree, and it was perfect.

Chapel Hill Travel Tips:

• Drive Time from Raleigh: about 40 minutes west
• Vibe: Welcoming, collegiate, nostalgic
• Highlights: UNC campus, Ackland Art Museum (free), Coker Arboretum
• Best Time to Visit: Fall for campus energy and crisp air
• Cost: Affordable (free campus sights, budget-friendly eats)
• Hours: Most spots open 9am–5pm, restaurants later

Winston-Salem: Quiet Corners & Bold Sips

Winston-Salem welcomed us with cobblestone streets and the scent of magnolia in the air. There was something unhurried about the city, art studios beside old tobacco warehouses, bakeries tucked between galleries.

Later, we explored Old Salem Museums & Gardens. My son and I we walked past costumed interpreters baking bread in brick ovens and blacksmiths at their anvils. It felt like stepping into the past, but without the distance. It's a great educational opportunity for kids.

In the afternoon, we walked past murals and historic facades to Foothills Brewing, where the lights were low and the conversation easy. We capped the evening with a quiet stroll through Bailey Park, where string lights twinkled overhead and the hum of the city softened into something warm and familiar.

A downside? Some areas of downtown felt quiet after business hours, with stretches of empty streets between lively spots. It made the city feel a little fragmented at night.

Raleigh, North Carolina: Taste, Texture, and Time Well-Spent

Raleigh felt wide open and rooted all at once. The streets were full of movement, students, city workers, couples weaving through the farmers market, and yet something about it made me breathe easier. “Let’s just walk and follow the flavors,” I told my husband. It turned out to be the perfect plan.

We joined a Taste Carolina food tour that afternoon and let someone else guide the pace. We stopped at tucked-away kitchens and family-owned bakeries, listening to chefs tell stories while the scent of rosemary and sweet cream filled the air. Every bite came with a bit of history, and I loved the way it made the city feel personal.

Later, we circled back to Tazza Kitchen. The space buzzed, exposed brick, wood-fired ovens, and plates coming out warm and fast. I ordered the wood-fired shrimp with creamy polenta, blistered tomatoes, and basil. The polenta was buttery and soft, the shrimp seared with just a touch of char. We lingered over our meal, forks quiet against the plates, the day settling around us like a worn-in sweater.

I enjoyed wandering through Pullen Park in the morning. Families gathered near the carousel, joggers looped the trails, and the lake reflected the sky like glass. It was calm, just a short walk from the city’s heart.

A downside? Downtown parking filled quickly during lunch and evening hours.

Mountain magic and misty mornings in Boone

We drove up from Asheville, a little over 2 hours north along winding highways that climbed into the Blue Ridge Mountains. By the time we reached Boone, the air felt cooler, thinner, scented with pine and mountain laurel. The town spread across hillsides, small but lively. Its heartbeat was tied to the university and the outdoors.

Boone carried a balance of youth and tradition. Appalachian State students filled coffee shops, while hikers laced boots for the trails just beyond town. The mountains seemed to press close, framing every street with green ridges and rolling fog.

Standing on the overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I thought, “This is where the sky finally learns to breathe.”

I enjoyed an early morning walk through Daniel Boone Native Gardens ($5 Donation). Paths wound between wildflowers, rhododendrons, and shaded groves, each turn quiet and fragrant. It felt like a hidden corner of the mountains, stitched gently into the town.

A downside? Weekend traffic through downtown was slow, with narrow streets packed with cars and students.

Urban energy and Southern soul in Charlotte

The drive from the airport to Charlotte was quick. Glass towers mixed with pockets of tree-lined streets that gave the “Queen City” its balance of bustle and ease.

Charlotte felt modern yet grounded. Uptown buzzed with energy, but just beyond the high-rises, leafy neighborhoods and greenways softened the pace. The scent of barbecue and sweet tea drifted from corner cafés. Svery street seemed to carry a hum of growth and reinvention.

Standing in Romare Bearden Park at sunset, the skyscrapers glowing gold behind fountains and green lawns, I thought, “This city feels both ambitious and welcoming at the same time.”

I enjoyed a morning walk on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Cyclists passed, runners hurried, and the creek bubbled gently beside me. The greenway stitched together the urban and the natural, making the city feel open and alive.

Where to Eat: We had dinner at Haberdish, a lively spot in the NoDa arts district. I ordered their skillet-fried chicken with a side of pickled veggies and crispy tater tots. The chicken was golden and crackling, juicy inside with a hint of spice. The whole meal carried that balance of comfort and creativity that makes Southern cooking unforgettable.

A downside? Uptown traffic during rush hour was heavy, and navigating one-way streets slowed me down.

Riverside calm and coastal charm in Elizabeth City

We drove east from Raleigh, about 3 hours across flat farmland and pine woods. Then the Pasquotank River shimmered into view. Elizabeth City welcomed us with historic waterfront streets, pastel-painted homes, and scenic boats drifting in and out of the harbor.

The town felt gentle and storied. The air carried the mingled scents of river water and fried seafood. It was the kind of place where life moved with the tide, unhurried, rooted in the coast.

Standing by Mariners’ Wharf Park, watching the sun sink over the river, I thought, “This is the edge of the world, and yet it feels like home.”

I enjoyed a morning walk along the harbor, the water slapping softly against pilings, fishermen chatting as they untangled nets. The quiet was broken only by gulls circling overhead and the creak of boats rocking in the slips.

Where to Eat: I stopped at Montero’s Restaurant, a family-owned spot in a converted house. I ordered shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens. The shrimp were plump and garlicky, the grits creamy and rich, while the greens added smoky depth. The smell of butter and spice filled the room, and every bite carried the comfort of coastal Carolina cooking.

A downside? Some of the shops and cafés downtown closed early. I wished the waterfront stayed lively a little longer after dark.

Durham, North Carolina: Brick and Rhythm

We drove just 20 minutes north from Chapel Hill, slipping quickly onto Durham’s city streets. Brick smokestacks rose against the skyline. The converted warehouses of the American Tobacco Campus came into view, glowing with strings of lights that made the place feel alive even from a distance.

Durham felt historic and forward-looking at once. Water trickled down the old mill’s canal through the center of the campus. It was a place where tobacco once shaped an industry, now reshaped into a hub of food, music, and gathering.

As I walked beneath the tall brick stacks, I thought, “This city has turned its past into its heartbeat.”

I enjoyed exploring the American Tobacco Campus courtyard in the morning. Workers carried coffee past fountains, couples strolled hand in hand, and the hum of conversation bounced off brick walls once stained by factory days. It felt communal, a city living in its own history without being weighed down by it.

Where to Eat: I had dinner at Mellow Mushroom inside the American Tobacco Campus. I ordered a specialty pizza with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and mozzarella. The crust came crisp on the outside, chewy within, the toppings smoky and sweet. The smell of fresh dough and garlic filled the air as music drifted from the open courtyard outside.

A downside? Parking near the campus was tight, especially on weekend evenings.

Wilmington, North Carolina: River Light and Boardwalk Breezes

We drove about two hours southeast from Raleigh, the road flattening as it neared the coast. By the time we pulled into Wilmington, the air was thick with salt and the Cape Fear River shimmered alongside the historic downtown streets.

Wilmington felt both coastal and timeless. Brick warehouses lined the riverwalk, converted into cafés and galleries, while moss-draped oaks shaded quiet squares.

Walking along the Riverwalk at dusk, lights glowing on the water, I thought, “This is a city that slows your steps without you noticing.”

I enjoyed exploring Airlie Gardens ($10) in the morning. The paths wound past azaleas and live oaks. Their branches were heavy with Spanish moss. The air was floral and sweet. The stillness made it easy to forget I was just minutes from downtown.

A downside? Summer weekends brought heavy crowds to the Riverwalk.

Embracing the Journey

Traveling through North Carolina is more than just a series of destinations, it's about the moments that stay with you long after you've returned home. It's the warmth of a small-town café, the awe of a mountain sunrise, and the stories etched into historic streets. As you plan your adventure, remember to leave room for spontaneity and discovery. The true essence of North Carolina often lies in the unexpected encounters and hidden gems along the way.

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