North Carolina boasts fantastic beaches, dazzling mountain scenery, and Old South charm that attracts many tourists.
North Carolina is also known as a home to NASCAR, America’s number one spectator sport.
Some of the activities that tourists can do are hiking, mountain climbing, and skiing.
Furthermore, for those interested in Appalachian culture, a visit to the Blue Ridge and Smokey mountains or various North Carolina cities can be quite an experience.
So as to inform you about all the beautiful places in North Carolina, we offer you this short overview.
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Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park, situated near the town of Asheville, has long hiking trails for nature explorers and the beautiful 400-foot Hickory Nut Falls.
However, the most famous destination for tourists is definitely the 300-foot (90 meters) monolith known as the Chimney Rock, with its gorgeous surroundings.
There are a 26-story elevator or 500 steps leading to this place which visitors can use to reach the top.
Bald Head Island
Bald Head Island is for those people who wish for a slower pace of living without cars.
The great thing is that no cars should head to Bald Head Island as this island is available only by ferry.
You can go to Southport to take a ferry or a private boat.
The island boasts 14 miles (23 km) of beaches which can be discovered by foot, bicycle, or on a golf cart.
Some of its features include marshes, maritime forests, and the Bald Head Island Golf Course.
This island is also known as a turtle nesting ground.
So, in summer, Bald Head Island Conservancy offers Turtle Walks for visitors who want to watch for mothers coming to nest.
Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park is located near the Winston-Salem area in the Sauratown Mountains.
What it has to offer are 18 miles (29 km) of trails for each type of visitor.
Trails range from easy to difficult, but once you are tired of walking, you can take a rest by the lake that is perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming.
The park has pretty waterfalls that you can enjoy.
Hanging Rock State Park even has its accommodation with ten cabins, a tent, and a trailer campground, so visitors can stay in the park.
Some of its attractions are quartzite formations and ridges, such as the Devil’s Chimney and the Hanging Rock.
Old Salem
Old Salem is a living museum, as it represents the life in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina that was led in the 18th and 19th centuries.
By simply walking down the streets of this National Historic Landmark, you get the chance to experience the culture of the Moravian settlers who lived in this area.
Some of the attractions that you can see are shoemakers, gunsmiths, and tailors who perform their services.
Furthermore, there are certain areas of Old Salem where visitors can perform hands-on activities.
Asheville
Ashville is a town that cannot be missed when in North Carolina, as it is situated in the beautiful Blue Ridge Foothills.
Some of its features are boutiques with local creations, bars, and great places to eat.
However, this is not all, as you will notice strolling musicians and street performers which improve Ashville’s charm and vibe.
The awards that this amazing town has won in the past include “America’s Quirkiest Town” from “Travel & Leisure” in September 2014, and “Most Beautiful Places in America” by “Good Morning America”
Ashville’s other attractions are Biltmore Estate which was built between 1889 and 1895.
This is a mansion known as the largest privately-owned house in the United States and it is visited by more than 1 million tourists each year.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is well known as a scenic road in the United States.
According to many visitors, this is definitely the best place to visit in North Carolina.
Its beauty has earned the National Parkway and All-American Road designations.
People like it during the fall months due to the fact that hills around it turn shades of oranges, yellows, and reds, offering stunning scenery.
It has to be said that the park is amazing in the spring months, as well, as this is the period when the Carolina rhododendrons and dogwoods are in bloom.
The Blue Ridge Parkway ranges from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park to Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park.
Charlotte
Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina.
It is especially attractive to people who love motorsports.
People nicknamed it the Queen City, as it boasts various amusement parks, Carowinds which is the largest man-made whitewater park, the US National Whitewater Center, and the family-friendly Discovery Place, a combination of a science museum and an aquarium.
What you can also visit when in Charlotte are the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Wilmington
When in the Wilmington area, you cannot miss some of the most popular beaches such as Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville Beaches.
This is not only a historic port city, but it also has numerous attractions such as NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
This place was named by the “Travel Channel” as one of the best in the United States.
Tourists like walking along Wilmington’s Riverwalk, alongside the Cape Fear River, or seeing mansions and plantations in the area.
There you can see Poplar Grove Plantation, the oldest peanut plantation in the United States, and the antebellum Bellamy Mansion.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located very close to East Coast cities, so it is one of the most visited national parks in the United States.
However, it is not only the accessibility that makes it popular but also its wildlife and beautiful scenery.
The park boasts 1,500 black bears, deer, fox, turkey, and even elk.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 850 miles of trails and waterfalls that make this destination a must-see when in North Carolina.
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a string of barrier islands.
They hug the North Carolina coastline and used to be a favored haunt of pirates.
These days, this is a popular destination for people who want to run away from the summer heat.
If we think about the northern end of the Outer Banks, we cannot but mention the wild horses that wander there.
The popular towns of Nags Head and Kitty Hawk on Bodie Island are located in the middle, and you can see some miniature golf courses, gift shops, and restaurants.
Roanoke Island, located west of Bodie Island, is home to the town of Manteo.