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

1. Asheville, North Carolina ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

© jonbilous/stock.adobe.com

2. Carolina Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Courtesy of alexbuess - Fotolia.com

3. Blowing Rock

© Satoshi Kina/stock.adobe.com

4. Burnsville, Yancey County

© Margaret/stock.adobe.com

5. Brevard

© WideAwake/stock.adobe.com

6. Bryson City, North Carolina

© Jill Lang/stock.adobe.com

7. Atlantic Beach

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Felix Mizioznikov/stock.adobe.com

8. Pisgah National Forest

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Craig Zerbe/stock.adobe.com

9. Cherokee, North Carolina

© Jill Lang/stock.adobe.com

10. Chimney Rock

© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

11. Corolla

© sbgoodwin/stock.adobe.com

12. Emerald Isle

© bmwysm/stock.adobe.com

13. Fayetteville

© Tim Markley/stock.adobe.com

14. Chapel Hill

© Jill Lang/stock.adobe.com

15. Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Ruth P. Peterkin/stock.adobe.com

16. Highlands, North Carolina

© jonbilous/stock.adobe.com

17. Kill Devil Hills

© John/stock.adobe.com

18. Lake Lure

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

19. Mount Mitchell State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

20. Nags Head

© scottevers7/stock.adobe.com

21. New Bern

© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

22. Ocracoke

© sbgoodwin/stock.adobe.com

23. Boone

© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

24. Roanoke Island

Romantic Islands
© Courtesy of jiawangkun - Fotolia.com

25. Wrightsville Beach, NC

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© 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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