Top Things to do in North Carolina
Top Hotels in North Carolina
- 1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown, an IHG Hotel
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area
- 3. Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Village
- 5. Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks / Corolla
- 7. Tru by Hilton Fayetteville I 95
- 8. Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Arrowood
- 9. Bridgepointe Hotel and Marina
- 10. The Dunhill Hotel
10 Nature & Parks in North Carolina That You Shouldn't Miss
North Carolina has something for everyone, with the highest mountains in the eastern U.S., 300 miles of pristine coastline, quaint towns and vibrant cities. From the mountains to the sea, explore the natural, scenic beauty, discover outdoor adventure or try one of 500 golf courses, including the legendary Pinehurst No. 2. Discover a favorite among 100 wineries and 60 craft breweries, tour historic and cultural treasures, sample farm to table delicacies and get the thrill of motorsports in the "home" of NASCAR.
Restaurants in North Carolina
1. Coquina Beach
2. Dry Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,566 reviews
Following paved walkways from the parking area, you can walk directly underneath the tumbling 75-foot waterfall.
Reviewed By dontchange - Tampa, United States
This is one of the best falls in the area and the walk to get to the falls is a short one that requires very little effort. This is a 65 ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest that flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry. You will get a nice mist from the falls when you stand behind them and the rocks do get wet so it can be slippery. They do have an overlook just steps away from the parking lot if you’re unable to manage steps that offers a pretty great view of the falls. The parking is limited and fills up pretty quickly. If the lot is full go to the Bridal Veil Falls up the road about a mile or so. The parking was $2 or $3 if I recall and they do have an outhouse type bathroom.
3. Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,156 reviews
Reviewed By loguev - Durham, United States
Duke Gardens is a must see for all who visit or live in the Triangle. Allow hours to fully enjoy these extensive gardens with their varied areas that include terraced flower beds, a Koi Pond, a lake with a bridge, paths, ducks, and herons. You can enjoy a special Asian designed area and even exotic chickens. This is a place for all ages.
4. Fontana Lake
5. Jockey's Ridge State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,240 reviews
Two of the highest sand dunes on the East Coast are located here, providing excellent take-off points for hang gliders.
Reviewed By donnajsatterlee - Princess Anne, United States
An absolutely magical place where there are really tall sand dunes There are trail markings for an easy round trip of 1 1/2 miles to the Roanoke Sound so that it is easy to find the route with shifting sands. The windswept sands make amazing patterns. There is a place that is wheelchair compatible, but only as far as a vista. The rest would be hard to negotiate without wide, sand friendly wheels. There are also some asphalt trails through some native to the area live oaks.
6. Currituck Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Location of the only lighthouse in the state of North Carolina that is still located where it was erected.
Reviewed By hwhi0218 - Buffalo, United States
This beach is gorgeous. Morning and evening seem to be the best time to see the wild horses. You MUST have a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive on this beach, we saw multiple people attempt it with 2 wheel drive and got stuck. You don’t need a pass to drive on the beach but for $50 you can buy a 10 day pass that allows you to park on the beach and hang out. It was so convenient to be able to throw coolers, beach gear, etc into the back of the truck, drive onto the beach and have everything available right there to use all day.
7. The North Carolina Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,603 reviews
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.
Reviewed By SeniorTravelTales - Oldsmar, United States
We have visited the Arboretum previously initially just ourselves, seniors, touring this magnificent arboretum and gardens and another time with our grandchildren to thrill at Winter Lights. Having our grandchildren visit again and since they love “LEGO’s” we were excited to visit the Lego Exhibit at the Arboretum. Specifically this is a very popular traveling exhibit that has 500,000 Legos. The exhibit is called Nature Connects: Art with LEGO bricks by Sean Kenney. Our grandchildren were so excited to stroll the gardens locating the 16 larger-than-life-size sculptures. Amazing how each sculpture is carefully placed in an appropriate location. This created excitement to find each sculpture and get a picture with each one. These Lego sculptures are just magnificent with design, color, depth and imagination. Additionally, the scale train was exciting for them to watch. They loved the “eyes” on each engine searching the tracks. A fun afternoon. There is much more to do at the Arboretum with hikes, creeks, and more. We plan to check into on our next visit
8. Pearson's Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
When visiting Pearson's Falls Glen, nature lovers and hikers are attracted to the scenic waterfall that plunges 90 feet and the many scenic trails bordered by native plants.
Reviewed By FlirtGarden - Suwanee, United States
Pearson’s Falls & Glen is a botanical preserve consisting of 268 acres, which has been owned and maintained by the Tyron Garden Club since 1931. The falls and glen are designated a Blue Ridge National Heritage Site, and they are also included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens. Over 200 species of trees, plants, wildflowers, fungi and ferns thrive in this unique, nearly year-round, freeze-free thermal-belt, providing a long growing season in the narrow glen. A short hike along Colt Creek leads up to this spectacular 90-foot waterfall. There are benches and picnic tables tucked along the trail, for those wanting to pause and wonder.
9. Bird Island
10. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Impressive 3800-acre wilderness that was once the unchartered hunting ground of the Cherokee Indians.
Reviewed By lianatron
This was a beautiful, moderate hike. Lots of greenery, some cute wildlife, and a fun trail! Because of high waters, one end of the trail is the closed so you can only enter from the right side. You can do most of the loop, but then you have to turn around and go back the other way, making it about 4 miles rather than two miles :)
