Larry and I might be a little biased as we live in North Carolina, but it is absolutely worth visiting. There is so much to do in North Carolina which makes it an ideal location to visit. North Carolina has all four seasons, plenty of outdoor activities, both the mountains and the beach, and a variety of unique things to see and do.
There are so many reasons why North Carolina is worth visiting. I’ll go over them here and detail some of my favorite things to do and places to see.
Reasons why North Carolina is worth Visiting:
Beautiful Places to visit Across NC
North Carolina has so many beautiful places to visit. From the Mountains to the Beaches on the outer banks, there truly isn’t a shortage of places to see. Given all the wonderful places to visit, a trip to North Carolina has many options for many different people.
State Parks to Visit in North Carolina:
- Goose Creek State Park- About 34 miles from Greenville, this park offers a broad range of experiences. From wetlands along the Pamlico River to a cypress swamp to a long boardwalk. There are also remnants of boat piers, railroad beds, and the lumber industry.
- Raven Rock State Park– One of the most popular state parks near Raleigh. It is a popular hiking, horseback riding trail, and popular camping site.
- Cliffs of Neuse State Park– About 15 miles from Goldsboro, this park overlooks the Neuse River. The cliffs have beautiful colors. Additionally, there are plenty of fishing areas.
The Coast
Out on the coast, you can find several state parks and recreation areas. There are miles and miles of public beaches to enjoy. Additionally, North Carolina has the Outer Banks. These are a set of islands that are connected to North Carolina. The outer banks boast beautiful beaches and many wonderful environments. They even have wild horses out by the coast and on the Outer Banks. Here are some popular state parks to check out:
- Hammocks Beach State Park
- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
25+ best beaches in North Carolina here!
The Mountains
Heading out west gets you to the Great Smoky Mountains. There are plenty of hiking trails and waterfalls to experience in the mountains. Come winter time North Carolina has several ski resorts as well. Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi and it is located in North Carolina. Skiing at Beech Mountain is another reason why it’s worth visiting North Carolina. Here are some of the best state parks to check out in the mountains:
- South Mountains State Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Mount Mitchell State Park
North Carolina is worth visiting because it’s perfect for road trips
There is truly so much to do in North Carolina that the state alone is perfect for road trips. From the mountains in the west to the beaches in the east, there are plenty of stops along the way.
Stops from West to East:
From Bryson City to Nags head, this is just one of many different road trips that you can take throughout North Carolina. On this road trip, you get to stop through many interesting towns and see both the mountains and the beach. These stops give you a wide range of experiences in North Carolina from small mountain towns to large cities to coastal villages.
Given how many interesting places there are to visit in North Carolina the above sample trip cannot cover the whole state. Some of our favorite stops include:
- Raleigh
- Durham
- Chapel Hill
- Charlotte
- New Bern
- Pittsboro
- Bryson City
- High Point
- Fontana Lake
- Elizabeth Island
- Boone
- Asheville
- Cherokee
- Wilmington
- Kitty Hawk
One of the many things that makes North Carolina worth visiting is that even though it’s a large state, driving through can be fairly quick with many stops along the way. From Raleigh at the center of the state, you can reach most of the larger towns and cities within 4 hours. So while there is a vastness to North Carolina, most places are a road trip away.
The Food In North Carolina
North Carolinians take their food very seriously! As an agricultural state, the freshest ingredients are key to the best food you’ll try in this wonderful state. Food is meant to bring people together, so what better way to get to know North Carolina than through your belly? Here are the foods that North Carolina is known for:
Ask people in North Carolina about the BBQ and you’ll get a full-blown discussion and argument. There is West Carolina BBQ and East Carolina BBQ and everyone has a favorite. My advice? Try them both out! The difference is in the BBQ sauce and once you get a favorite you won’t look back to any other BBQ.
Fried Green Tomatoes are a staple in every North Carolina BBQ joint. They combine two of the best things North Carolina has to offer, fresh green tomatoes and deep frying stuff. North Carolina likes to add pimento cheese to the equation to make a truly unforgettable experience.
As the state’s official vegetable, Sweet Potatoes reign supreme in North Carolina. There is no way to order them that isn’t absolutely delicious. From grilled sweet potatoes to sweet potato fries, try them in all forms. Then hit up the NC State Farmers market to get the freshest and widest variety of sweet potatoes!
As a coastal state, seafood is incredibly important. In comes Calabash Seafood! This typically features lightly breaded shrimp, fish, hush puppies, and even crab cakes. To be cooked the Calabash way means that the fish is lightly cooked allowed the breading to brown and that is it.
Of course, you can’t eat without saving room for dessert! As the founding state for both Pepsi and Krispy Kreme, there is plenty of desserts to be had. North Carolina also has many ice cream parlors that are worth checking out. Finally, when the strawberries and peaches are in season they are the best in the whole country.
Popular Attractions
North Carolina has many different kinds of attractions for every type of traveler. From people who are interested in history to the ones who crave outdoor adventures. Few places offer as much variety as North Carolina which is why it’s worth visiting.
Educational Attractions
As the home to many prestigious universities and plenty of important history, North Carolina offers its visitors many educational attractions and experiences. People can visit and tour the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), North Carolina State (NC State), and Duke University. All these educational institutions are found in the middle of the state in the area dubbed “The Triangle”.
If you’re traveling with kids then you’ll want to check out many museums and activities North Carolina offers. The Marbles Kids Museum, the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Discovery Place, and the Museum of Natural Sciences are excellent rainy or cold-day activities for all families. If the museums are not your speed check out Durham’s indoor aerial activity adventure park!
In the Charlotte area, you’ll find the Billy Graham Library. This important religious figure was from North Carolina. You’ll see many streets and venues named after him. The library is impressive and worth learning more about.
Outdoor Attractions
There are so many fun outdoor attractions, not just hikes. Hit up Sliding Rock which is a large natural water slide. It is such a fun way to enjoy the water on a warm summer day. Additionally, there is a waterfall horseback riding out on the mountains that is so fun. Finally, near Charlotte, there is the US Olympics Whitewater Rafting Park which has so many outdoor activities. They feature whitewater rafting, still water paddle boarding & kayaking, biking trails, and even some rope courses.
Another fun outdoor activity is to check out the many zoos and animal rescues in North Carolina. The most unique is the North Carolina Tiger Rescue. This big cat rescue has a lot of cool tigers and some other wild cats. It is a must-visit in Pittsboro. Larry loved seeing the white tigers.
Of course, outdoor activities are not complete without some parks with fun activities. Pullen Park, Whirligig Park, Eno Park, and Dorothea Dix Park are all fun to visit. Pullen Park has some great rides for kids. Whirligig Park is probably the coolest park as it has a ton of different whirligigs. You can also find many whirligigs at the NC Museum of Art. Dorothea Dix Park has some beautiful sunflowers every spring. Finally, Eno Park features a river and a swimming hole perfect to cool off on a warm summer day.
Coastal Attractions
The beaches on the Outer Banks are an attraction all on their own. There are many wonderful boardwalks and even some wild horses. You cannot touch the wild horses, but there are some fun tours to go see the wild horses. As well as the miles of beaches there is the USS North Carolina Battleship available to visit. We love seeing Battleships.
Other Fun Attractions
In addition to all the other attractions above there are many fun sports, amusement parks, and even the famous Biltmore Estate to explore in North Carolina. Can’t forget the NC State Fair. It is incredibly popular (but we did not enjoy it that much, far too many people).
NASCAR is a big deal in North Carolina. The Charlotte Motor Speedway is large NASCAR speedway that not only hosts races but also has a fun Christmas lights exhibit. Along with the motor speedway, there’s also the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Other fun sports activities are the Charlotte Hornets and the Carolina Hurricanes. Lately, the Hurricanes have been particularly great lately which makes going to the games even more fun.
Near Charlotte, you will find Carowinds Amusement Park. This is one of many. Emerald Isle in Greensboro is a fun water park to cool off in the summer. Frankie’s Raleigh is another amusement park, but for the most part, you’ll find many more water parks than amusement parks. Finally, the Biltmore Estates are the most popular attraction in the Asheville area. It is the country’s largest private residence that you can tour!
Many Outdoor Activities
As previously discussed there are so many outdoor activities to do in North Carolina! Here I’ll list some of our favorite activities from the only Alpine slide in North Carolina to scaling ice waterfalls. There are some incredible hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Umstead State Park, Grandfather Mountain, and Pisgah National Forest.
In winter Beech Mountain is well known for its skiing. The Tail of the Dragon takes you through the Tennessee/North Carolina border for a beautiful drive. Towards the other side of the state, you have beautiful lighthouses over on Cape Hatteras, many miles of beaches, and the wild horses of the Outer Banks.
Unique Cities
One of the coolest parts of North Carolina is all the unique cities and towns. They truly make North Carolina worth visiting. Towns like New Bern that look like a little Switzerland in North Carolina or cities like Charlotte with a lively downtown and lots of activities. Asheville is another popular city nestled in the mountains near Boone which is another mountain town. Both have many local shops and even a chocolate factory!
The larger cities to visit in North Carolina are Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, Charlotte, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte. They all have unique vibes. Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham make up “the Triangle” with each city being completely different in vibes and city culture. Wilmington is on the coast which is a city with a beach. Winston-Salem is well known for its Moravian Bread.
There are many lovely coastal towns to explore as well. From Maggie Valley to Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Island to Elizabeth City. If the beach isn’t your cup of tea there’s Fontana Lake, Lake Jordan, and Lake Norman for some swimming. They each have their own towns that enjoy lake views and fresh fish.
The Beer Scene
Craft Beer in North Carolina is a popular scene. You’ll find breweries all over the state with their own secret recipes for beer. It is such a popular scene that you can find local beers sold in local grocery stores. In order to find your new favorite brewery check out the map here. Some popular breweries include The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten, Wooden Robot Brewery, and Neuse River Brewing.
Wonderful Year Round Weather
North Carolina boasts all four seasons with not a lot of extreme weather. Yes, there is snow in North Carolina and summers can be quite warm. Spring lasts a nice long time with some of the most beautiful flowers you’ll ever see. Along with the beautiful flowers comes a storm of pollen (which is something I’ve never seen until moving here). Because of the lovely year-round weather you can ski and go to the beach in winter. In summer the whole state is alive with many outdoor activities.
Kind and Generous People
Southern Hospitality is alive and thriving in North Carolina. One of the best things about living here is how everyone waves and says hi to you. You get to know your neighbors and if you look the slightest bit lost someone will offer to help. There is a reason why the South is known for its kindness and generosity. Especially in a small town with fewer tourists, you’ll truly experience Southern hospitality.
North Carolina is Steeped in History
From the Wright Brothers to being the first colony to declare Independence, North Carolina is steeped in history. This is history you can experience in many different places. There is the North Carolina Museum of History and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The Black Wall Street is also found in Durham. The Cape Fear Museum is the oldest history museum in North Carolina. There truly is history in every corner of the state.
FAQs: Is North Carolina Worth Visiting?
What are 3 things North Carolina is famous for?
- The Biltmore Estates
- The Wright Brothers (Wrightsville)
- Sweet Potatoes
When is the best time to visit North Carolina?
I’d say either fall or early summer is the best time to visit North Carolina. You get to experience the most things to do while not dealing with the extreme heat. Early summer gives you the most beautiful bloomed flowers. Fall makes all the trees look like they’re on fire. It makes our street look incredible.
What is the prettiest place in North Carolina?
North Carolina is one of the most naturally beautiful states in the country. With the mountains, many lakes, forests, and beaches there truly are far too many places to pick as “prettiest”. I personally love the majesty of the Smoky Mountains in the early morning when the clouds are low and the sun is peeking over the peaks. It’s truly the prettiest. You can really experience it in Asheville or Boone.
What is the coolest place in North Carolina?
There are many cool places in North Carolina like the Emerald Mines, dog water park, and the Whirligig Parks. The most unique place in North Carolina is the Land of Oz. This unique amusement park is set up to take you into Dorothy’s Land of Oz. Complete with a yellow brick road and Emerald City it does easily become the coolest place in North Carolina.
Why North Carolina is a good place to vacation?
North Carolina is a great place to vacation because it truly offers something for everyone. You can road trip through the state and experience a little of everything NC has to offer from mountains to lakes to forests finally making it to the beach. North Carolina also has large cities and unique towns which welcome all visitors. Each of these is a reason why North Carolina is worth visiting.
Final Thoughts on Why North Carolina is Worth Visiting
North Carolina has been my favorite state. I love the mountains and we have made many trips there. I also greatly enjoy being by the water either lakes or the beach. North Carolina is uniquely situated to give us the best of both worlds with a quick drive. Finally, North Carolina is full of people who will welcome you with open arms and a bright smile. Come visit us!
