From pristine beaches to rugged peaks, North Carolina has landscapes that ground you and experiences that reset you. Discover the wonders of one of America’s original colonies.Winter calendars mean lower crowds at aquariums and museums, and low-key community events in coastal towns. In the mountains, a re-enactment of a wooly mammoth discovery and the history of the Roanoke colony are highlights.
Small Towns
From coastal gems packed with history to mountain communities tucked among blue-hazed peaks, North Carolina’s small towns offer a big helping of Southern charm. With their laid-back pace and abundance of natural beauty, these charming destinations promise ecological adventures for all, from family vacations to solo getaways.From hiking trails to breweries, these fun small towns in North Carolina are the perfect spot for an outdoor adventure, a hearty meal, or shopping for local finds. Discover what makes each of these charming spots so special, and plan your next trip to explore the best of the state’s beautiful smaller towns.A popular Appalachian Trail stop, Franklin is a mountain town with a hearty local food scene. Its close proximity to Nantahala National Forest allows hikers to experience incredible mountain vistas and waterfalls. Those who prefer to stay closer to town can enjoy shopping at quaint stores like Artists Way Creations and JE Priddy’s General Store.Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this Western North Carolina town is a hikers’ paradise, with access to amazing mountain trails and the mile high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain. It also sits near skiing at Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort. Its small town feel and proximity to nature make it the perfect place for a winter escape.
Outdoor Adventures
From rocky mountain trails and winding rivers to wild coastal shores, North Carolina offers endless adventure on land, water and in the sky. Ride rapids that make your heart race, hike to a mountain peak that rewards every stride or dive hidden shipwrecks in the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Whatever your definition of adventure, you’ll find it here.The pristine landscapes of western North Carolina offer a variety of outdoor experiences that ground you and reset you. Hike mountains with views that take your breath away or explore the wetlands and marshes of the Roanoke River Superhighway—the most important wildlife corridor in the nation’s Eastern Seaboard.This original PBS series was produced by UNC-TV and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and is available on DVD. Each episode is a mini-adventure into North Carolina’s plants, animals, geology and history. 105: Colors of the Earth—examine the precious gems hidden beneath Piedmont clay and the sandy soils of the coast. 202: Man and Mammoth—discover the best-known theories on why wooly mammoths disappeared from the Southeast.
Food & Drink
A trip to North Carolina would not be complete without sampling our state’s food and drink. Many dishes – including fried green tomatoes, barbecue, bourbon and fruit cobblers – are known nationwide, but the state also boasts a number of unique culinary treasures that can only be found here.For example, sonkers, or moravian sugar cookies, are a traditional food that owes its existence to European settlers who came to the area in the Colonial era. The sweet treats are still made at a local bakery in Mount Airy each fall.From coastal sea breezes to mountain terroir, North Carolina’s cuisine is rich and varied. The state is also home to a handful of breweries and distilleries. Located near Ashville, Dueling Grounds Distillery crafts small-batch whiskey and gin using local grains and spring water. Tours and tastings allow guests to experience the state’s bourbon and gin culture firsthand.In Charlotte, Bojangles’ iconic chicken sandwiches – famously served with a side of slaw and mustard and dressed “the Carolina way” – have found a wide following beyond the Tar Heel State. And there’s no shortage of places to try Carolina-style smoked barbecue. Whether you prefer eastern or western style smoked meats, you’re sure to find the best in the state at establishments like 12 Bones Smokehouse and Buxton Hall Barbecue.
Shopping
Millions of bargain shoppers have made Carolina Premium Outlets and JRs their go-to destinations for finding national brand products at 65% off or more. But North Carolina offers much more than discount retailers. Downtown areas are dotted with specialty stores such as DeWayne’s, home to Pandora, Brighton and Vera Bradley; and Cecy’s on Foster Street, a collective of NC artists that carries handmade gifts and pieces of art. Parker & Otis at the American Tobacco Campus is another favorite gift shop.
From breathtaking mountains to pristine beaches, North Carolina offers landscapes that ground you and experiences that reset you. Discover a sense of wonder with outdoor adventures, delicious cuisine and charming small towns.Tour scenic locations you’ve seen on the big screen at places like Lake Lure and DuPont State Recreational Forest, as well as the storied trail of Roanoke Island.
The Outer Banks
A 200-mile stretch of windswept beach, pristine salt marshes and tranquil woodlands form the Outer Banks. This unique coastal ecoystem attracts seaside lovers from all over the world for a relaxing experience of sandy beaches, historic lighthouses and outdoor activities such as surfing, kayaking, fishing, birdwatching and more. Visitors also marvel at the spectacular beauty of sunsets and wildlife along our sandy shores.These sandy barrier islands, whose rocky outcrops and tidal creeks connect to the mainland by a series of sounds and inlets, boast the most northerly shoreline in the state. Stretching from Corolla to Ocracoke, the Outer Banks are home to a variety of charming beach communities that have all the modern bells and whistles such as lively shops, fine restaurants and kid-friendly attractions. But there’s a more rustic and untamed side to the Outer Banks that is just as alluring. Wild horses, secluded coves and pristine maritime forests all contribute to the Outer Banks’ enduring charm.The Outer Banks are also home to a number of well-known colleges and universities such as Barton College, Belmont Abbey College (the only Catholic college in the Carolinas), Duke University, Elon University, Guilford College, Meredith College, Methodist University, Mount Olive College, Salem College and Wingate University. A wide range of golf courses can also be found in this region including the Ocean Isle and Emerald Isle golf courses.
The Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains, a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Highlands mountain range, cover much of western North Carolina and offer hikers miles of scenic trails, spectacular waterfalls and charming, small-town mountain towns. The region owes its distinctive hue to the mountain forests that line its rugged peaks, which emit hydrocarbons into the atmosphere and create a chemical reaction that gives the mountains their blue color.While North Carolina is blessed with a number of remarkable Appalachian peaks, one mountain in particular is renowned, even compared to the other great southeastern peaks like New Hampshire’s Mount Washington and New York’s Mount Marcy: At 6,684 feet, the iconic Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in both North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains as a whole, making .The high altitudes and pristine qualities of these Blue Ridge Mountain regions made them a natural choice for the first European settlers arriving in North Carolina from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Within a relatively short time, the English Roanoke colonists would meet and interact with native people living throughout the mountainous regions of western North Carolina, including the Cherokee, Catawba, Creek and Siouan. As these European settlers moved through the mountainous areas, they introduced secular activities and shaped the landscape, contributing to the rich history that North Carolina’s mountainous regions still hold today.
The Coast
North Carolina’s coastline stretches for over 300 miles and is an important part of its natural and cultural heritage. Sea grasses, marshes and sand dunes are home to a large variety of wildlife species. The Atlantic coastline includes barrier islands and three national seashores. It’s also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, for the many ships that have sunk in its waters.The state’s coastal areas are complex ecological systems that feature sounds, estuaries, blackwater river systems and non-riverine swamps and floodplains. These natural features help retain water and reduce flooding and storm surges. However, tourism and some harmful practices in the commercial fishing industry have increased pressure on these critical ecosystems.In 2024, the Coastal Region was visited by almost 40 million overnight travelers from across the country and the world. Ninety percent of Coastal Region visitors were traveling for leisure purposes, with the remainder visiting for business or other reasons.North Carolina is rich in natural and cultural resources that offer countless opportunities for adventure and discovery. You can explore the pristine beaches of the Outer Banks, discover the rugged mountain ranges in the west and experience the southern charm of charming small towns throughout the state. And as you travel, be sure to enjoy the local expressions such as “pig pickin’,” “yonder” and “sweet tea.” They are an integral part of the state’s culture that reflects its long history of Southern heritage and tradition.
Western North Carolina
North Carolina’s mountains—the western part of the state, known as “WNC” by locals—are blessed with towering verdant peaks, lovely gentle valleys and flower-filled coves, virgin stands of untouched forest, crystal . The region’s beauty and natural wonder are why countless families have visited the area for generations.The peaks of the Western Mountain Region—the Black, Great Smoky, Balsam, Nantahala and Pisgah mountain ranges—feature some of the highest summits in mainland eastern North America. Yancey County’s Mount Mitchell, for instance, is the highest point east of the Mississippi River.Like other parts of the state, WNC is home to many incredible national and state parks. These include the popular and beautiful Grandfather Mountain State Park, DuPont State Park, Gorges State Park, and Chimney Rock State Park, among others.These park sites are great places to hike, see waterfalls and take in the amazing scenery that the North Carolina mountains have to offer. But they’re also wonderful locations for learning more about the history of North Carolina and its people.Whether they’re exploring on foot or from the comfort of their cars, many college students enjoy spending time in Western North Carolina during their breaks. They might go backpacking for a day on parts of the Appalachian Trail—like across Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—or they might drive a few hours to camp or ski in some of the area’s pristine national forests.