• January 1, 2025 - Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

2. Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of adinamnt - Fotolia.com

3. Sliding Rock

© Courtesy of Frank C Jones - Fotolia.com

4. Discovery Place

© Discovery Place

5. Battleship North Carolina

© Courtesy of ThinkTank Solutions - Fotolia.com

6. Elijah Mountain Gem Mine

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Elijah Mountain Gem Mine

7. Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© Courtesy of Moelyn Photos - Fotolia.com

8. Biltmore Estate and Biltmore Gardens

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Angelique - Fotolia.com

9. Lexington Glassworks

© Lexington Glassworks

10. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of scherbinator - Fotolia.com

11. Museum of Life and Science

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Museum of Life and Science

12. Good Karma Ranch, North Carolina

© Good Karma Ranch

13. Airborne and Special Operations Museum

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Airborne and Special Operations MuseumNorth Carolina Museum of Art

14. Eating Asheville Tours

Tours in the Area
© Eating Asheville Tours

15. Marbles Kids Museum

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Marbles Kids Museum

16. Wheels Through Time Museum, North Carolina

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Wheels Through Time Museum

17. Banner Elk Winery and Villa

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© Banner Elk Winery and Villa

18. Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center

19. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, North Carolina

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

20. CPCC Art Galleries - Student Art in Charlotte

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© guruXOX/stock.adobe.com

21. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Chansak Joe A./stock.adobe.com

22. Carolina Meat and Fish Co

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© koss13/stock.adobe.com

23. Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery

24. North Carolina Maritime Museum

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© North Carolina Maritime Museum

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

North Carolina is a great place to unwind and explore no matter where your interests lie. The geography of the state ranges from busy, bustling cities to towering mountains to the beaches, lakes, waterfalls and Outer Banks islands. Visitors can immerse themselves in some of the best museums in the country, admire the beauty of nature from the top of Grandfather Mountain or take a trip to the past by visiting some of the many Civil War sites.

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.