North Carolina

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Linn Cove Viaduct Blue Ridge Parkway in autumn

Cars travel on the Linn Cove Viaduct highway road on the Grandfather Mountain along the Blue Ridge Parkway in autumn North Carolina USA

Overview

From the mighty mountains in the west to the ethereal islands lining the Atlantic coast, North Carolina has limitless opportunities for outdoor adventures, matched with the dynamic cities of Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham and Asheville.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Biltmore Estate
Asheville
Charmed by Asheville's natural beauty, shipping and railroad heir George Washington Vanderbilt II decided to build a summer home modeled after three…
Old Salem
North Carolina
The beautifully preserved core of the Moravian settlement of Salem extends across several blocks south of downtown. You’re not obliged to pay for…
Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Charlotte
The Sullenberger Aviation Museum, honoring Captain Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger III, is located at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Asheville Art Museum
Asheville
The glass-fronted West Wing is a showstopping introduction to this downtown museum, which is looking sleek after a $24 million renovation that added 70%…
Billy Graham Library
Charlotte
This multimedia 'library' celebrates superstar evangelist and 'pastor to the presidents' Billy Graham, who was born in Charlotte in 1918 and died just…
International Civil Rights Center & Museum
North Carolina
The FW Woolworth store where four black students from North Carolina A&T State University sparked the ‘sit-in’ campaign by ordering coffee on February 1,…
Levine Museum of the New South
Charlotte
Tracing the story of the ‘New South’ that emerged from the ashes of the Civil War, this committed museum explores the years of Reconstruction, Jim Crow…
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Charlotte
The race-car simulator ($5) at this rip-roaring Uptown museum hurtles you onto the track and into a 15-car race that feels surprisingly real. Elsewhere,…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

If you’re looking for fun and unique things to do in Fayetteville, North Carolina, start with these 11 places.

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Best Places to Visit

North Carolina attracts history buffs, outdoor lovers, foodies, families, and couples in search of a romantic getaway.

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Best Time to Visit

Whether you want to hit the beach, catch the autumn foliage or enjoy a spectrum of outdoorsy activities, here are the best times to visit North Carolina.

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Best Road Trips

While it’s possible to explore by bus or train, there’s nothing quite like navigating the Tar Heel State's curving roads from behind the wheel of a car.

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Articles

Latest stories from North Carolina

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Sunrise at Mills Overlook at Smoky Mountain National Park.
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National Parks

See the best of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and more on this road trip

Apr 16, 2025 • 11 min read

Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding region with this itinerary from the North Carolina side of the range to Tennessee.