Things to do in North Carolina
From mountains to sea
With three regions—mountain, Piedmont, and coastal plain—North Carolina soars from Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern US, to the crashing Atlantic. The cities and towns mirror that natural diversity, ranging from cultural hot spots like Asheville to beach getaways like Corolla to mountain gems like Boone. With mild temps across the seasons, the Tar Heel State is a year-round destination, though perhaps fall shines brightest with its vivid autumn hues. Of note: Basketball and barbecue are big here.
5-Star activities in North Carolina
Top 15 attractions in North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway
Fourth Ward
Bank of America Stadium
Old Settlers’ Cemetery
Mint Museum of Art
Discovery Place Science
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture
The Green
Biltmore Estate
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
River Arts District
SEA LIFE® – Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Carowinds
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Levine Center for the Arts
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All about North Carolina
When to visit
North Carolina may not be the biggest state on the US map, but with 6,000-plus feet (1,800-plus meters) of elevation, your “when and why to visit” can be just about anytime for any reason. If you’re headed to the mountains, follow the leaf-peeping flocks and visit to overlap with the state’s riotous fall color. If you’re heading toward the Outer Banks and the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll have 60ºF (15°C) days most of the year—avoid crowds coming in winter.
Getting around
As with any US state, North Carolina was built for highways. It does make for a fantastic road trip—you can go for a mountain hike in the morning and still catch an ocean sunset. If you’re in Greensboro or what's known as the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), you can take the bus, but most trips and destinations require a car.
Traveler tips
If you’re looking for a destination-worthy scenic drive, look no further than the Blue Ridge Parkway, bordering both the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks. The Linn Cove Viaduct, one of the parkway's most famous views, is at mile marker 304, about 90 minutes northeast of Asheville by car. As one of the original 13 colonies, North Carolina has history around every corner. You'll also find loads of great barbecue—Lexington is the home of the state’s traditional spice-and-vinegar mop.