Let the seasons guide your vacation in North Carolina. Spring is an appealing time to hike the Appalachian Trail or bike at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park. North Carolina's coast boasts more than 300 miles of barrier island beaches, romantic lighthouses, idyllic small towns, and national seashores. Fall lures travelers to the spectacular colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Cities like Raleigh, Durham, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte are some of the best places to go in North Carolina for city explorers.
Unique Places to Visit in North Carolina:
1. Asheville
Rating: ★★★★★
If this was my first trip to North Carolina, I would start in Asheville. Must-see attractions in Asheville include the Western North Carolina Nature Center, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and the beautiful 434-acre North Carolina Arboretum. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains provide many outdoor adventures for the active traveler. Biltmore House and Gardens, built by George Vanderbilt in 1895 as a retreat after he acquired the land, is another great place to visit. Vanderbilt loved the mountains of North Carolina, and this prompted family friend Frederick Law Olmsted to create a landscaped masterpiece – from naturalist forest to formal gardens.
2. Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, home of UNC-Chapel Hill, is a hip town that is rapidly becoming a top destination for American culinary delights. The town itself is full of sounds, sights, and tastes, and is home to musicians, authors, and artists.
Franklin Street, named after Benjamin Franklin, is the focus of downtown life. Here, visitors will leisurely come upon coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, museums, bars, and music stores. Chapel Hill was originally created to serve the University, for when the UNC Board of Trustees selected the area in 1793 around New Hope Chapel for its first State University, they gave a committee the goal of creating a town adjacent to the site.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country’s most visited National Park and one of the best places to visit in North Carolina. It is renowned the world over for its variety of animal and plant life, its stunning ancient mountains, and visible remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. In Cades Cove, visitors will partake in viewing wildlife , seeing gorgeous mountain scenery, and exploring historic homes and churches. There are wildflowers galore – from early hepaticas in late winter to the asters in late fall.
4. Raleigh
Raleigh is a beautiful city, filled with unique attractions , green parks and a diverse choice of things to see and do. Spend a day at the North Carolina Museum of Art which houses over 40 galleries, an outdoor amphitheater, and a 164-acre park.
Visit the largest natural history museum in the Southeast, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences where you can learn through an amazing array of fun exhibits.
Other must-see attractions include the North Carolina Museum of History, the Joel Lane Museum House and the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University.
Romantic Places to Visit in North Carolina:
5. Boone, NC
Boone's thriving community is surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Named after Daniel Boone, the American pioneer, Boone is true to its roots in adventure. Seek out the past at Tweetsie Railroad, travel to Grandfather Mountain to cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge, or enjoy some 200 miles of unique mountain bike trails through Pisgah National Forest. Boone also offers more than adventures for the outdoor-minded. From restaurants and theatre to shopping and sports at Appalachian State University, visitors will find unforgettable experiences no matter what their preference.
Steeped in the Blue Ridge Mountains area, Boone is the ideal destination for weekend getaways and lengthier vacations.
6. Charlotte
Charlotte is a great city to visit on a romantic getaway or a family vacation. You have a choice of diverse restaurants, cafes, music venues, theaters and fun tours perfect for getting to know this unique city. Charlotte is home to the Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, the Carolinas Aviation Museum, Discovery Place and the Charlotte Museum of History.
The Mint Museum, North Carolina's oldest art museum, houses an impressive art collection and is a must-see for art lovers. Be sure to check out the waterfalls near Charlotte
7. Elizabeth City
Whether visitors seek a weekend getaway or a stop on an extended tour of North Carolina, Elizabeth City is ideal. Its six historic districts bring to mind the time of Blackbeard, when trains were still a prominent form of travel, and the Wright brothers stopped for goods as they were passing through.
Situated on the Pasquotank River, the city was incorporated in 1793. Its current “Harbor of Hospitality” is an inviting waterfront location with everything a tourist could want.
A comprehensive list of galleries, theatre performances, and museums can all be found on the community’s website.
Family-friendly Places to Visit in North Carolina:
8. Blue Ridge Parkway
The uniqueness of the Blue Ridge Parkway is evident, offering a slow-paced drive revealing gorgeous vistas and up-close views of the Appalachian Highlands. This special road is one of the top places to visit in NC and winds for 469 miles, protecting animals and plants, and special attractions.
On the website blueridgeparkway.org, visitors can find basic information about weather, operating hours, road status, reservations, and permits. Learn about the nature you will encounter on the drive and plan to join rangers for tidbits about the history and nature along the Parkway. There are more than 300 miles of trails along the Parkway, plus popular destinations. There are also concerts and music to be enjoyed along the journey.
9. Greenville, NC
If you have just two days in Greenville, here is the perfect itinerary. Begin Day One with a walk or run, and then sit down to a sumptuous breakfast at The Scullery or another eatery.
Immerse yourself in some beautiful artwork at the Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge, Greenville Museum of Art, Art Avenue, ECU’s Wellington B. Gray Gallery, City Art Gallery, or the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center. Browse the Uptown Greenville District’s antique stores and shops, locate the latest fashions at the Lynndale Shoppes and Arlington Village, and satisfy your urge for handmade products at Artisans.
On Day Two, let your appetite lead the way by following the North Carolina Barbecue Trail.
10. Davidson
Davidson is a small college town – home to Davidson College – committed to providing residents with a high quality of life.
The town is pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. Its walking trails and greenways connect neighborhoods, giving residents alternate ways to buzz around town and access nature.
In fact, the town believes heartily in open space, and in the last decade, Davidson has acquired almost 600 acres of preserved land.
There’s a thriving business district, a range of community events, and a historic downtown. In 2013, the town won the "Great Main Street" Award from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association.
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