• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Asheville, North Carolina ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Asheville, North Carolina
© jonbilous/stock.adobe.com

2. Carolina Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Beaches
Carolina Beach
© Courtesy of alexbuess - Fotolia.com

3. Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock
© Satoshi Kina/stock.adobe.com

4. Burnsville, Yancey County

Burnsville, Yancey County
© Margaret/stock.adobe.com

5. Brevard

Brevard
© WideAwake/stock.adobe.com

6. Bryson City, North Carolina

Bryson City, North Carolina
© Jill Lang/stock.adobe.com

7. Atlantic Beach

Category: Beaches
Atlantic Beach
© Felix Mizioznikov/stock.adobe.com

8. Pisgah National Forest

Category: Activities
Pisgah National Forest
© Craig Zerbe/stock.adobe.com

9. Cherokee, North Carolina

Cherokee, North Carolina
© Jill Lang/stock.adobe.com

10. Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock
© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

11. Corolla

Corolla
© sbgoodwin/stock.adobe.com

12. Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle
© bmwysm/stock.adobe.com

13. Fayetteville

Fayetteville
© Tim Markley/stock.adobe.com

14. Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill
© Jill Lang/stock.adobe.com

15. Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Category: Activities
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
© Ruth P. Peterkin/stock.adobe.com

16. Highlands, North Carolina

Highlands, North Carolina
© jonbilous/stock.adobe.com

17. Kill Devil Hills

Kill Devil Hills
© John/stock.adobe.com

18. Lake Lure

Category: Activities
Lake Lure
© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

19. Mount Mitchell State Park

Category: Activities
Mount Mitchell State Park
© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

20. Nags Head

Nags Head
© scottevers7/stock.adobe.com

21. New Bern

New Bern
© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

22. Ocracoke

Ocracoke
© sbgoodwin/stock.adobe.com

23. Boone

Boone
© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

24. Roanoke Island

Romantic Islands
Roanoke Island
© Courtesy of jiawangkun - Fotolia.com

25. Wrightsville Beach, NC

Category: Beaches
Wrightsville Beach, NC
© Rob/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

From the beaches of the Outer Banks to the tallest mountains of the Blue Ridge range, North Carolina contains endless opportunities for sightseeing and activities. It’s home to some of the oldest towns and settlements of the United States, and its diverse small towns are absolutely worth a trip, whether for an afternoon or a weekend.

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