Popular Attractions in North Carolina

Take the Asheville exit off the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the Biltmore Estate. Also known as the biggest home in America, the former home of George Vanderbilt is world-famous for its glamor and beauty. The grounds also are home to a historic farm, gardens, and a winery – there’s something here for everyone.

When you are in the mountains make sure to visit Boone. This eclectic college town has superb mountain scenery and tons to see and do. Look for treasures at Foggy Mountain Gem Mine or sample the suds at Appalachian Mountain Brewery. The Hickory Ridge Living History Museum offers a glimpse into what mountain living was like ages ago, while a stroll through the Daniel Boone Native Gardens lets you get an up-close look at the mountain’s spectacular flora.

Nearby Blowing Rock is famous for its cool summer days as well as the hiking and horse trails at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Ready to treat the kids? Buy a ticket to ride the Tweetsie Railroad – it’s been a family favorite for generations. While you are in town you can also stroll through art galleries, visit Flat Top Manor, or hunt for valuable stones at Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine.

In the foothills of the Appalachians, Hickory offers a number of attractions. The Hickory Aviation Museum sports free entry and restored military aircraft – you can see planes spanning several decades of military action. The Harper House has exhibits and memorabilia explaining the region’s history and the downtown farmers market is bursting with fresh organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables.

Oenophiles will love North Carolina’s wine country. The Yadkin Valley is a former tobacco-growing region now home to more than 70 wineries and is the state’s first designated American Viticultural Area. Grab a map and plot out an afternoon of touring and sampling – top spots include Raffaldini, Baker Buffalo Creek, Childress Vineyards, RagApple Lassie, and Uwharrie Vineyards. Look for native varietals like muscadine and scuppernong or go traditional with European varieties like merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

You can’t talk about attractions in North Carolina without talking about food, and here talking about food really means talking about barbecue. North Carolina ‘cue is an important part of the state’s heritage, but what kind you get depends on where you are. “Western” North Carolina style uses pulled pork bathed in a ketchup-based sauce, while “Eastern” North Carolina style douses its pulled pork in a vinegar-based sauce. No matter what side of the state you are on, that ‘cue is being washed down with Cheerwine, a local cherry-flavored cola, or sweet tea. Lexington is the de facto capital of North Carolina barbecue – the cuisine’s icons include Lexington Barbecue, Speedy Lohr’s BBQ, Cook’s Barbecue, and Smokey Joe’s BBQ.

Fayetteville is perhaps best known as the location of Fort Bragg, which is the largest military installation in the world, but no matter what brings you here there’s a lot to see. The region’s top attraction is the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, which chronicles the history of airborne and special operations soldiers from 1940 to the present. The 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial explains the heritage of this storied military division and offers an outstanding perspective of past conflicts. Those in search of nature will find peace along the Cape Fear River Trail and at Gillis Hill Farms, where you can pick strawberries, buy fresh produce, tour the farm, and take wagon rides.

Close to the coast, Elizabeth City has plenty of diversions. Gaze at the stars at the Elizabeth City State University Planetarium or take in a race at the Dixieland Speedway, and don’t miss the Museum of the Albermarle, which has regional cultural collections and a great explanation of this part of the coastal plain.

Plan to spend a day in Wilmington, a graceful coastal town with a well-preserved historic downtown. Take a tour of the historic sites and enjoy a picnic at Airlie Gardens. Learn about the region’s ecology at Sea Turtle Camp, which has adventure programs and marine biology exhibits.

Pretty Jacksonville has sultry coastal breezes and the excellent Veterans Memorial. Visit Lynwood Park Zoo to see the monkeys then sample the moonshine and whiskey at Walton’s Distillery.

Beaufort is one of the most beautiful towns along the coast. Sign up for a tour of the historic district or rent a bike to pedal to the sites yourself. The North Carolina Maritime Museum has a large collection of boats, models, and decoys, while the Rachel Carson Reserve is accessible only by boat and is home to wild horses and a marine lab.

Pack your bags and your taste for adventure – no matter your passion or interest, there are scores of great attractions in North Carolina waiting to be discovered.