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
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.
That evening, we found ourselves at Cúrate Tapas Bar. The place was alive—open kitchen, warm lighting, laughter rising over clinking glasses. I ordered pan con tomate, charred octopus, and a tortilla española that tasted like memory. The tomato was bright, the octopus smoky and tender, and the olive oil had a citrus edge that lingered. We shared everything, passing plates and stories like we had nowhere else to be.
What I Loved Most: Asheville’s balance—restful and vibrant, earthy and elegant, a town that held both stillness and spark.
Plan your Asheville trip:
- Drive Time from Charlotte: ~2 hours west
- Vibe: Mountain arts, wellness, and food-forward energy
- Best For: Couples craving calm mornings and lively nights
- Lodging: Boutique downtown hotels, rustic-modern cabins, or spa retreats
- Dining: Cúrate Tapas Bar, Early Girl Eatery, Tupelo Honey
- Activities: Still Point Wellness, River Arts District, Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring or October for blooms or color-drenched hillsides
Stay at Biltmore House and Gardens.
Slow mornings and sweet discoveries in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill felt like an open book—pages fluttering with history, Southern charm, and a youthful spark. I strolled Franklin Street under a canopy of trees, soaking in the warmth of the place and the buzz of students and old-timers alike. There was something grounding here. I remember thinking, “If comfort had a hometown, this might be it.”
What I Loved Most: Wandering through the Coker Arboretum 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—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.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Raleigh: ~40 minutes west
- Vibe: Welcoming, collegiate, nostalgic
- Highlights: UNC campus, Ackland Art Museum, 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
- Address: Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
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. We started our day at Reynolda House Museum of American Art, where paintings hung in the former home of a tobacco heiress. I wandered through sunlit hallways and thought, “This house feels like someone once dreamed here and never stopped.”
Later, we explored Old Salem Museums & Gardens, walking past costumed interpreters baking bread in brick ovens and blacksmiths at their anvils. It felt like stepping into the past, but without the distance—just close enough to smell the hearth fire.
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.
At a Glance:
- Drive Time from Charlotte: ~1 hour 20 minutes northeast
- Vibe: Artsy, historic, quietly confident
- Highlights: Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Foothills Brewing, Bailey Park, local galleries and murals in the downtown Arts District
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for festivals, garden blooms, and mild temperatures
- Cost: Most attractions under $20; brewery and dining options range from casual to elevated
- Hours: Museums typically open Tues–Sun; brewery open daily; hours may vary by season
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.
What I Loved Most: Raleigh gave me space to taste, to listen, and to just be—without having to search too hard for what mattered.
Plan your Raleigh trip:
- Drive Time from Durham: ~30 minutes southeast
- Vibe: Urban energy with Southern ease
- Best For: Food lovers, curious walkers, couples looking for something grounded but fun
- Lodging: Downtown boutique hotels, historic inns, modern stays near Glenwood South
- Dining: Tazza Kitchen, Brewery Bhavana, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey
- Activities: Taste Carolina Food Tours, Raleigh City Market, museums, art walks
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for festival season and mild evenings
Mountain magic and misty mornings in Boone
Boone felt like stepping into a mountain postcard—foggy ridges, winding roads, and cozy corners. The Appalachian charm was instant. I remember standing on the Blue Ridge Parkway and thinking, “I could stay right here forever and never need a reason.” There’s a gentleness in Boone that wraps around you like a well-worn sweater.
What I Loved Most: Driving along the Parkway just after sunrise. The silence, the views, and the slow bends in the road made it unforgettable.
My highlights? Brunch at Melanie’s Food Fantasy in downtown Boone. I had their avocado toast topped with poached eggs, a dusting of paprika, and crispy rosemary potatoes on the side. Sitting out front with the morning breeze and mountain air, I felt completely at peace.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Asheville: ~2 hours northeast
- Vibe: Scenic, mellow, outdoorsy
- Highlights: Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian State, Grandfather Mountain
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for colors, winter for skiing nearby
- Cost: Budget-friendly; parks free, meals ~$10–20
- Hours: Shops open 10am–6pm; Parkway always open
- Address: Downtown Boone: 667 W King St, Boone, NC 28607
Urban energy and Southern soul in Charlotte
Charlotte had a pulse—fast-moving and full of contrast. Sleek skyscrapers rose above old brick buildings, and shiny restaurants shared blocks with neighborhood barbecue joints. It was the South, yes, but with ambition in its stride. I remember thinking, “This is the kind of city that doesn’t slow down—but it still smiles.”
What I Loved Most: An afternoon at Freedom Park, lounging by the lake and watching locals jog, picnic, or just sit under the trees. It was peaceful in a way only a big city park can be.
My highlights? A late lunch at Midwood Smokehouse—the brisket plate with mac and cheese and Eastern-style slaw. Tender, smoky, tangy…it was barbecue perfection, and the kind of meal that demanded a slow walk afterward.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Raleigh: ~2.5 hours southwest
- Vibe: Sleek, dynamic, surprisingly friendly
- Highlights: NASCAR Hall of Fame, Freedom Park, art museums
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall for festivals and mild weather
- Cost: Moderate to upscale; attractions ~$15–30, meals ~$20+
- Hours: Museums open 10am–5pm; restaurants stay open late
- Address: Uptown Charlotte: 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Riverside calm and coastal charm in Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City felt like a gentle exhale. The kind of place where people wave from porches, the water glimmers at sunset, and time slows down without asking. I wandered along the harbor, boats bobbing nearby, and I remember thinking, “Maybe quiet is exactly what I’ve been missing.” There was something about the blend of Southern ease and maritime spirit that stayed with me.
What I Loved Most: Watching the sun dip over the Pasquotank River from Mariners’ Wharf Park, a soft breeze on my face and nowhere to be but present.
My highlights? A seafood lunch at Quality Seafood Market, a no-frills local favorite. I had the fried shrimp platter—golden, crisp, and served with hush puppies and coleslaw. Sitting by the window looking out at the marina, it was everything I wanted and nothing fancy.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Norfolk, VA: ~1 hour south
- Vibe: Serene, historic, coastal small-town
- Highlights: Harbor views, Museum of the Albemarle, Mariners’ Wharf Park
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring or early fall for fewer crowds and mild weather
- Cost: Budget-friendly; most attractions free
- Hours: Shops and museums open ~10am–5pm; park open sunrise to sunset
- Address: Mariners’ Wharf Park: 106 S Water St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Durham, North Carolina: Brick, Rhythm, and Something Brewing
Durham had an edge softened by history—a city that carried its grit with pride. We parked near the American Tobacco Campus and followed the brick-lined paths past water features, old smokestacks, and cafés spilling light onto the walkways. “This place knows how to reuse what matters,” I said as we passed a guitarist warming up under string lights.
We lingered at the campus longer than expected. There was a rhythm to it—fountains bubbling near old train tracks, the smell of roasting coffee blending with fresh air, people reading or laughing in tucked-away corners. It felt like a city square wrapped in industrial memory.
What I Loved Most: The way Durham moved—no flash, just honest layers. It didn’t try to impress. It just showed up as itself.
My highlights? Lunch at Parker and Otis, just a short walk away. I had a turkey sandwich with brie, green apple, and cranberry mayo on soft multigrain, served with kettle chips that crunched just right. The brie melted into the bread, the apple added a bright crispness, and everything came wrapped in butcher paper like a note from someone who knew exactly what I needed.
Plan your Durham trip:
- Drive Time from Raleigh: ~30 minutes northwest
- Vibe: Creative, rooted, with old bones and new energy
- Best For: Foodies, architecture lovers, weekend wanderers
- Lodging: Boutique downtown hotels, loft-style stays, local guesthouses
- Dining: Parker and Otis, Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, Nana’s
- Activities: American Tobacco Campus, Durham Central Park, DPAC shows, local bookstores
- Best Time to Visit: April to June or September for pleasant walking weather and cultural events
Wilmington, North Carolina: River Light and Boardwalk Breezes
We got to Wilmington just before dusk. The Cape Fear River glowed copper in the light, and the breeze carried that clean, briny scent I always associate with coastlines and second chances. I said to my husband, “Let’s just walk until our feet get tired.”
The Riverwalk stretched ahead of us. It was brick-lined, full of tucked-away patios, murals, and the sound of water lapping softly below. Musicians played on corners, and families strolled with ice cream cones in hand. It felt like the town knew how to relax without slowing down. We wandered through old storefronts turned into bookstores and candle shops, and I made a mental note to come back in the morning, unhurried.
One year we visited in November to attend the Downtown Wilmington Holiday Tree Lighting which was lovely.
What I Loved Most: Wilmington offered the ease of a beach town with the backbone of a historic city—graceful, grounded, and full of light.
My highlights? Dinner at Savorez. I had the mojo pork tacos with pineapple salsa and a side of yucca fries. The meat was tender, citrusy, and rich, and the salsa burst with brightness. Everything came out hot and layered with spice, and the smell—pepper, lime, cilantro—felt like a celebration from the first bite.
Plan your Wilmington trip:
- Drive Time from Raleigh: ~2 hours southeast
- Vibe: Historic charm meets breezy coastal energy
- Best For: Couples, history lovers, riverfront diners
- Lodging: Boutique inns downtown, waterfront rentals, beachside hotels at Wrightsville
- Dining: Savorez, The Basics, Seabird
- Activities: Riverwalk, Bellamy Mansion, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach Boardwalk
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and early fall for mild weather, fewer crowds, and golden light
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.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Asheville, North Carolina: Mountains and Mindfulness
- • Slow mornings and sweet discoveries in Chapel Hill
- • Winston-Salem: Quiet Corners & Bold Sips
- • Raleigh, North Carolina: Taste, Texture, and Time Well-Spent
- • Mountain magic and misty mornings in Boone
- • Urban energy and Southern soul in Charlotte
- • Riverside calm and coastal charm in Elizabeth City
- • Durham, North Carolina: Brick, Rhythm, and Something Brewing
- • Wilmington, North Carolina: River Light and Boardwalk Breezes