North Carolina
Pepsi, Krispy Kreme, World Famous BBQ, Great Craft Breweries, Outdoor Adventure, Natural Beauty, World-Class Golf, Sustainable Oyster Farming
Popular POIs
View AllThe most popular places to visit across North Carolina right now
Panthers Stadium Tour
Charlotte
Sugar Creek Brewing
Charlotte
Midwood Smokehouse
Charlotte
Airborne & Special Operations Museum
North Carolina
Mile High Swinging Bridge
North Carolina
Carolina Theater
North Carolina
Buxton Hall Barbecue
North Carolina
Kill Devil Hills
North Carolina
Sliding Rock
North Carolina
Videri Chocolate Factory
North Carolina
Birthplace of Pepsi
North Carolina
Linville Falls
North Carolina
Top Reasons to Visit North Carolina
1. Stunning Mountains and Outdoor Adventures:
North Carolina is home to the majestic Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, offering breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as exploring national parks like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest.
2. Beautiful Coastal Towns:
The North Carolina coastline features some of the most beautiful towns on the East Coast. The Outer Banks, a string of barrier islands, is famous for its beaches, historic lighthouses, and shipwreck diving sites. Coastal towns like Wilmington and Beaufort offer charming waterfronts, rich maritime history, and a range of water sports and activities.
3. Delicious Southern Barbecue:
North Carolina is renowned for its barbecue, with regional variations like Eastern-style and Lexington-style barbecue drawing food enthusiasts from far and wide. The state's culinary scene also includes fresh seafood, farm-to-table dining, and traditional Southern dishes. Food festivals, such as the Lexington Barbecue Festival and the North Carolina Seafood Festival, offer visitors a chance to indulge in local flavors.
4. Vibrant Arts Scene:
Cities like Asheville and Raleigh are known for their vibrant arts scenes, with galleries, live music venues, and cultural events that attract artists and performers from around the world.
5. Charming Small Towns:
North Carolina's small towns offer a glimpse into the state's history, culture, and hospitality. Boone, Blowing Rock, and Highlands in the mountains provide picturesque settings and unique local experiences. Coastal towns like Edenton and New Bern charm visitors with their historic districts, waterfront views, and welcoming communities. These towns embody the quintessential Southern charm and offer a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
6. Historic Sites and Cultural Attractions:
North Carolina is rich in history and culture, with numerous sites and attractions that showcase its heritage. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, the largest privately-owned home in the United States, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, where the first powered flight took place. The state also boasts vibrant arts scenes in cities like Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
Explore Regional North Carolina
North Carolina is a southern state with a northern name that is located halfway between New York and Florida, with Tennessee to its west and South Carolina to the…well…south!
The state is known for its ‘ultimate awe’ and ‘firsts that last’ – it’s the birthplace of aviation, the mother town of Cherokee, and the only place where you’ll find the Venus Flytrap. With 12 national parks and almost 50 state parks plus an incredibly diverse landscape, North Carolina stretches from the undeveloped outer banks along the coast to the highest mountains in the eastern United States. This abundance of nature brings with its incredible views, trails, and activities. Best explored by car, you can drive along the state’s national seashores (here, national park meets the shore!), where you’ll see some of the tallest lighthouses in the USA. Drive through the central region of Piedmont, and stop at one of the many breweries, wineries, natural attractions, golf courses, and more.
Grandfather Mountain and its state park surrounds are breathtaking. The park is situated along the Blue Ridge Parkway – ‘America’s Favourite Scenic Drive’, which is built on the crest of the mountains. With 200 overlooks and 26 tunnels as it winds down to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this drive is truly breathtaking. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits across the borders of North Carolina and Tennessee and is America’s most visited national park. It’s renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life and the beauty of its historic mountains. The state is home to hundreds of waterfalls: enjoy Instagram-worthy spots accessible from the road, or take a hike to swim in cool natural pools tucked among lush national forests.
For foodie lovers, sample long-time North Carolina favorites like Lexington barbecue and Calabash seafood. Save some room for locally sourced, newer notables from distilleries, James Beard Award-nominated chefs, and local farms. North Carolina’s coastline also means fresh seafood is a year-round delight. Try homegrown oysters fresh from the state's oyster farms, offering a taste of the sea in every bite. Per capita, Asheville boasts more breweries than any other U.S. city. Plus, New Bern is the birthplace of Pepsi, while Winston-Salem proudly serves up the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts!
Sports is a big deal in North Carolina. UNC-Duke men’s basketball might be a tough ticket, but museums dedicated to both programs welcome fans year-round. You can also spot the Panthers and Hornets (NFL) in Charlotte, Hurricanes (NHL) in Raleigh, and minor-league baseball teams state-wide. Not to mention – NASCAR racing in Charlotte. Plus, North Carolina boasts a wealth of world-class golf opportunities, from the iconic Pinehurst Resort to stunning coastal courses, making it a golfer’s paradise.
