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Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Best time to visit: April-June, Sept-early Nov
- Biltmore Estate is a historic house museum located in Asheville, known as America's Largest Home, featuring a 250-room chateau designed in the Châteauesque style
- The estate covers approximately 8,000 acres and includes extensive landscaped gardens
- The estate was built by George Vanderbilt, a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, and was completed in 1895
- Visitors can tour the mansion, explore the extensive gardens, and enjoy various activities on the estate, including wine tasting at the nation's most-visited winery
North Carolina Arboretum, Pisgah National Forest
- The North Carolina Arboretum is a public garden located within the Pisgah National Forest, specifically in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, just south of Asheville
- It features a variety of cultivated gardens and miles of trails, allowing visitors to explore the Southern Appalachian Mountains
- The Arboretum includes 65 acres of gardens and approximately 10 miles of forested trails that cater to hiking and biking
Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach
- Fort Macon State Park is a state park located in Carteret County, centered around a meticulously restored 19th-century Civil War fort, which offers visitors a glimpse into historical military architecture and life during that era
- The park encompasses a diverse barrier island ecosystem, providing visitors with 5 miles of trails and beach areas
- The park also includes daily tours of the fort, along with cannon and musket demonstrations
#62 in Best Beaches in the USA
Blue Ridge Parkway
- The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic highway, renowned for its viewpoints and natural beauty, that stretches through the southern and central Appalachian Mountains
- The parkway spans approximately 469 miles, connecting the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina
- The parkway is famous for its long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes
- Construction began in 1935 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, aimed at providing jobs during the Great Depression
NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive museum and entertainment venue located in Uptown Charlotte
- Opened in 2010, it serves as a shrine to the history and heritage of NASCAR, featuring a variety of exhibits and attractions designed to educate and entertain visitors
- The Hall includes over 50 interactive experiences that allow visitors to engage with the sport's history
- It showcases significant artifacts from NASCAR's past, including memorabilia from legendary drivers and teams
Chimney Rock, Chimney Rock State Park
- Chimney Rock State Park is a scenic area located in approximately 25 miles southeast of Asheville
- The park is renowned for its dramatic mountain scenery and features the iconic Chimney Rock, a 315-foot granite monolith that serves as a prominent landmark
- The park offers a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing
Kuwohi, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Best time to visit: June-Oct
- The Kuwohi Observation Tower Trail, formerly known as Clingmans Dome, is a hiking trail located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- The trail features a steep, paved path that leads to an observation tower
- Kuwohi is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains at 6,643 feet, making it the highest point in Tennessee
- The summit's observation tower offers 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and on clear days, visibility can extend over 100 miles
Dry Falls, Nantahala National Forest
- Dry Falls is a waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest
- The waterfall drops approximately 75 feet and features a unique aspect where visitors can walk behind the falls without getting wet, which is how it got its name
Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills
- The Wright Brothers National Memorial, located in Kill Devil Hills, is a site that commemorates the achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright, who are credited with the first successful, sustained powered flights in a heavier-than-air aircraft
- The site marks the location of the Wright brothers' experiments with flight, including their first powered flight on December 17, 1903, which lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet
- At the memorial, there is a prominent 60-foot-tall granite monument dedicated in 1932, situated atop Big Kill Devil Hill
- The memorial features a visitor center that offers interactive exhibits related to aviation, history, and science
- Visitors can see a replica of the Wright brothers' plane and participate in various activities about the history of flight
#48 in Best Attractions in the USA
#16 in Best Landmarks in the USA
Grandfather Mountain, Linville
- Grandfather Mountain is a mountain that is renowned for its biodiversity and scenic beauty
- One of its most famous features is the Mile High Swinging Bridge, which is the highest suspension footbridge in the United States, offering views of the surrounding landscape
- Grandfather Mountain is home to various wildlife habitats, including bears, cougars, and otters, and provides numerous recreational activities such as hiking
Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Jockey's Ridge State Park is located in the Outer Banks region, and is renowned for having the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast, with dunes reaching heights of 80 to 100 feet
- This park features a variety of ecosystems, including wetlands, grassy dunes, and maritime thickets
- Visitors to Jockey's Ridge can enjoy a range of activities such as kite flying and hang gliding
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Oct
- The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is located in Raleigh
- The exhibits showcase various aspects of natural history, including live animals, dinosaur skeletons, and interactive displays
Raven Rock Loop Trail, Raven Rock State Park
Walk difficulty: easy
- The Raven Rock Loop Trail is a hiking trail located in Raven Rock State Park, near Mamers
- Hikers can enjoy expansive views, including a 150-foot-high rock outcropping, as well as natural elements like streams and wildflowers
#24 in Best Easy Hikes in the USA
Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The USS North Carolina was the first newly constructed battleship to see service during World War II
- It was commissioned into the United States Navy and played a significant role during World War II, participating in nearly every major naval offensive in the Pacific Theater
- Today, the Battleship North Carolina is a museum and memorial open to the public
- Visitors can explore various parts of the ship, including crew quarters and gun turrets, and participate in guided tours
Wrightsville Beach
- Wrightsville Beach is a beach and town located in New Hanover County, just east of Wilmington
- It is renowned for its stunning crystal blue waters, expansive sandy shores, and beach culture
- The beach is a popular destination for various water sports, including surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and fishing
- The area features a fitness trail known as "The Loop," which is popular for jogging and walking
#31 in Best Beaches in the USA