Top 10 Things to do in North Carolina
North Carolina is unique in that it consists of three very distinct regions: the mountains, Piedmont, and the coast. Graced by the Blue Ridge and Smokey mountain ranges, North Carolina is a haven for outdoorsy types. From the fast-paced culture in North Carolina’s largest cities to the Appalachian culture in the mountains to the laid back pleasures that the North Carolina coast offers, there is truly something for everyone! Read through these popular North Carolina attractions and start planning your vacation today!
Biltmore Estate—Asheville - Pro Sports—Charlotte
- Chimney Rock State Park—Chimney Rock
- Roanoke Island—Manteo
- Carolina Beach State Park—Carolina Beach
- Historic Ocracoke
- Charlotte
- North Carolina Aquariums—Roanoke Island, Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Appalachian Mountains
Tour America’s largest privately owned home! Covering 8,000 acres, the Biltmore Estate offers a wide range of activities, from carriage rides to river float trips to horseback riding. Don’t miss the breathtaking 250-room Biltmore House with 65 fireplaces and original art from the Old Masters. The Biltmore Estate is one of the most prized North Carolina attractions.
North Carolina is a great destination for sports lovers! Home of the Carolina Panthers, a veritable epicenter for NASCAR activity, and one of the premier destinations on the PGA Tour, Charlotte has a ton of sports games and sporting events to choose from!
Hike, bird-watch, rock-climb……there are loads of fun things to do at Chimney Rock State Park. Don’t miss Chimney Rock—a 535-million-year-old monolith—that can give you a 75-mile panoramic view of the North Carolina wilderness.
If you are looking for things to do in North Carolina, visit Roanoke Island, the legendary site where 117 pioneers vanished in the 16th century. The Lost Colony theater production at Waterside Theater—the first and longest running outdoor historical drama. Visit this mysterious site and interact with one of the world’s craziest unexplained mysteries.
The Carolina Beach State Park is home to the Venus Flytrap—the unique plant that carnivorously consumes its prey. Visit this relaxing North Carolina attraction for boating, fishing, hiking, and more!
One of the barrier islands off of North Carolina’s coast, Ocracoke Island is where the pirate Blackbeard once exerted his reign of terror. Historic Ocracoke—located on the southern side of the island, is a quaint, old-fashioned village where the locals possess a curious accent not heard anywhere else.
If you are looking for fun things to do in North Carolina, make time for a visit to the state’s largest city! Featuring North Carolina’s professional sports teams and stellar stadiums, premier cultural attractions, and the best fine dining restaurants, Charlotte is a must-see North Carolina attraction!
North Carolina’s aquariums promote conservation, education, and preservation of species native to—and foreign to—the North Carolina ecosystem. Featuring exhibits which mimic the species’ natural habitats, the aquariums serve as an educational tool for getting children and adults familiar with their underwater friends. Don’t miss Luna—the rare albino alligator—at her home in the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium! Visiting an aquarium is one of the most fun things to do in North Carolina!
Drive along Blue Ridge Parkway—the country’s first and longest rural parkway. This 469-mile road connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Indulge in fishing, camping, hiking, cycling, or simply enjoy the sights of the old farmsteads and wild rhododendrons and orchids.
Hike the Appalachian Trail or simply travel to Asheville and see the natural, cultural, and historical wonders for yourself! Visit Grandfather Mountain with its famous suspension bridge, or—if you time it right—take part in a music festival, hayride, historical reenactment, and more!