North Carolina has been the home of many notable “firsts,” such as the first flight and the first English settlers. In fact, the state boasts many historical sites as well as various artistic attractions. But the most alluring draw the state has to offer is its natural wonders, from its barrier island beaches to the Great Smoky Mountains.
You’ll want to explore the state by car rather than by bus or train, because most of the joy of experiencing North Carolina comes from driving through its unspoiled beauty. Since you’ll be driving through all kinds of different terrain, an SUV will work well, particularly on mountain roads. If you’re driving longer distances through the state, choose a compact car that will save you money on gas.
Must-see attractions in North Carolina
1. Chimney Rock State Park
This stunning rock among the trees with a waterfall coursing down its face is a breathtaking sight to behold. The coppery granite is more than 2,000 feet above the trees below. The park has installed an elevator within the mountain itself so you can get to the top even if you are not an avid hiker or climber. Driving out to this small village to see this natural wonder is well worth the trip.
Address: 431 Main St., Chimney Rock, NC 28720
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2-4 hours
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
If you’re in North Carolina you need to drive along at least part of what has been nicknamed “America’s Favorite Drive”. The 429-mile road that winds from Virginia to North Carolina is one of the most scenic drives in the country, if not the world. You’ll encounter many scenic pull-offs and lookouts, and many have hiking trails leading from them. You’ll pass through dozens of small mountain towns where you can stop for a bite of local cuisine and soak in the culture.
Address: From Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina
3. Wright Brothers National Memorial
The Wright Brothers National Memorial is just 4 miles from the world-famous town of Kitty Hawk, where Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first successful airplane flight. The stone tower sits atop a 90-foot-high stabilized sand dune, the very site of many of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s flight experiments from1900 to 1902. Make sure to stop at the Visitors Center to learn fascinating details about the two brothers and how they invented flight.
Address: 1000 N. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1-3 hours
4. The Outer Banks Beaches
The stretch of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks runs just off the coast of North Carolina for 200 miles. Since these beaches are famously windswept, they are one of the best places in the world for wind surfing and kiteboarding. Also, because the waters are the site of more than 3,000 shipwrecks over more than three centuries, the Outer Banks beaches are known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic. Some 19th century shipwrecks are just offshore, no deeper than 20 feet of water. Other shipwrecks, such as a WWII German U-Boat wreck, is over 100 feet beneath the waves.
Address: Just off the coast of northern North Carolina
5. Roanoke Island Festival Park
Roanoke Island is the where the first English settlers set up a colony in the New World in 1585, before they all are said to have mysteriously disappeared in 1590. The 25-acre Festival Park lets visitors see what life was like for the first settlers. You can see the settlement site, learn from the informative and historically costumed staff, see American Indian Town and the replica of the ship the settlers sailed over on, and visit the Adventure Museum.
Address: Found on Ice Plant Island, accessible via Highway 400 over the Manteo Bridge.
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2-4 hours
6. Cape Hatteras National Seashore
This coastal preservation area protects unique and endangered wildlife, including birds such as piping plovers, black skimmers, gull-billed terns and American oystercatchers. The seashore is also a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles and a safe place that seals come to in the winter. At Cape Hatteras, you can even climb up some historic lighthouses.
Address: 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954
Entry fees: Entry is free but there are fees for different activities
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Sightseeing might take 2-4 hours, or you can camp overnight
7. Grandfather Mountain
On Grandfather Mountain, you can take leisurely hikes or more strenuous climbs that involve ladders. The panoramic views from the top are awe-inspiring and majestic, especially the ones you get when you cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Check out the wildlife habitats, where you can see bears, cougars, otters, elk and bald eagles. And as home to over 200 bird species, Grandfather Mountain is the ideal place for bird watchers.
Address: 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville NC 28646
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 3-5 hours
8. The Biltmore Estate
The jewel in this 8,000-acre estate is the palatial Vanderbilt Mansion, the largest private home in America. In the 250 rooms you will see luxurious décor, world-class artwork, vintage clothing collections, antiques and impressive architecture. The lush, expansive grounds include gardens, fountains, sculptures, a deer park, a forest and hiking trails. The estate also features a winery. There is so much to see, you might want to book a ticket that allows you to stay overnight at the estate.
Address: 1 Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1-2 days
9. Battleship North Carolina
When you step aboard this ship that fought in The Pacific Theatre during World War II, history will feel up close and real as you hear the stories of the courageous crew members that fought for their county. As you explore the ship, you can see photographs and mementos of the crew members and the battles they fought. Boarding the Battleship North Carolina is an experience you won’t forget.
Address: 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington, NC 28401
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2-3 hours
10. Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Carl Sandburg, a poet and a journalist, moved to this house that sits on 245 acres in 1945. He sought solitude for his writing and land for his wife to raise goats. Today, the house has been restored to look like it did when Sandburg lived there and the goat farm has three different breeds. You can take tours of the house, the farm and the rest of the land, which includes hiking trails, two small lakes and an apple orchard.
Address: 1800 Little River Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Entry fees: Access to the house, farm and grounds is free. There is a charge for tours.
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2-3 hours
Best Places to Eat & Drink in North Carolina
Featuring something quintessential about North Carolina, these restaurants are top picks in the Tar Heel State.
Watermen’s Bar and Grill: This restaurant is one of the best places to eat on The Outer Banks. The indoor/outdoor seating with breathtaking waterfront views, the friendly staff and delectable food make this an ideal place to eat in North Carolina. Watermen’s offers a full menu where even the drinks and coffee impress, but the highlight is the seafood.
The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge: Enjoy spectacular mountain views as you eat delicious food in an atmosphere that is both cozy and refined. Some fan favorites on the menu include the mushroom fondue, the lamb shank and the crème brulee. Diners appreciate the friendly and always professional staff.
McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon: North Carolina is known for its barbeque, and this Charlotte restaurant provides some of the best. The brothers and dad that own the restaurant have been perfecting their family’s recipes for years. They strive to make their restaurant the best by making everyone feel at home, like a guest they’ve invited to dinner. The menu at McKoy’s includes just about everything barbeque has to offer, from the savory meats to the delectable sides.
