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

North Carolina

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.

Best Time to Visit

Best Things to Do

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Historic Stagville Plantation

The Triangle

Exceptional in prioritizing the 1000 or so ‘enslaved persons’ who worked here above the families that claimed their ownership, Stagville Plantation ranks…
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…
North Carolina Museum of Art

The Triangle

Expanded in 2010 with the completion of the stunning, glass-and-steel West Building, this superb museum stands 6 miles west of downtown. Ranging far and…
Duke Lemur Center

The Triangle

The secret is out – Durham’s coolest attraction has to be this research and conservation center, home to the largest collection of lemurs outside their…
Museum of the Cherokee Indian

North Carolina Mountains

This remarkable modern museum traces Cherokee history from their Paleo-Indian roots onwards. Its villain is the perfidious Andrew Jackson, who made his…
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%…
Sullenberger Aviation Museum

Charlotte

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum, honoring Captain Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger III, is located at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

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Top picks from our travel experts

Top 12 things to do in North Carolina: from mountain escapes to the Outer Banks and grand castles

Curated by DeAnna Taylor

The Workshop

Coastal North Carolina

For a cup o' Joe with bite, head to this small independent java house in Wrightsville Beach. The owners have combined their love of scuba diving, shark…
Tsali Recreation Area

North Carolina Mountains

The Tsali Recreation Area has been famed among mountain bikers for so long that local riders rather take it for granted. For out-of-state visitors, though…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Free Things to Do

Exploring the gorgeous state of North Carolina doesn't have to break the bank. Here are out favorite free activities, from the mountains to the coast.

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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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