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 Shopping 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. Blue Pelican Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Shop American Made, Shop Handmade, Shop LOCAL. Blue Pelican Gallery and Gifts is a unique little shop with a lot of heART.With hundreds and hundreds of handmade and individually produced items, Blue Pelican is a great place to pick out an affordable, special, often one of a kind gift for a special person...including yourself. We have a huge selection of items under $20. We are constantly changing and adding new art and artists. Three generations of our family own and staff the shop. Remember to shop LOCAL on Hatteras Island!Some of the items you can find are: jewelry, pottery, prints, photography, soap, candles, ornaments, sun catchers, clay wall art, metal art, blown glass art, Outer Banks SeaSalt, pet sitter gifts, art cards, and much, much more.
Reviewed By TyiaP1
I ordered online from Blue Pelican Gallery. At the time of my order, the Gallery was up on stilts, being raised due to flooding. Jennifer contacted me and let me know that she couldn't get in her store (safety) at the time and asked me if I wanted a refund or if I wanted to wait until the Gallery was lowered back down. I told her I would be fine with waiting. It wasn't more than a week, but one of the items I had ordered got lost when they lowered the house and the display fell. Jennifer wrote me a note and sent it along with my order explaining that one item had been lost, she sent several replacements, refunded my shipping, and said that she will ship the lost item when she finds it. This woman is BEYOND NICE!!! She has gone above and beyond in making up for the loss of an item that was beyond her control! She is an example of what not only quality customer service, but a quality human being, should be! Thanks Jennifer! I will definitely be recommending and shopping from your store again!
2. Elizabeth Ellison Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Original paintings, giclee prints and cards by owner/operator. Open studio. Happy to have visitors and to answer questions
Reviewed By Swampgal123 - Sandston, United States
My husband and I were delighted to spend time with Elizabeth and George, as we are huge fans of their iconic work highlighting the magic of the Smokies. We made a visit to the gallery a priority, and we’re greatky rewarded.
3. Watauga County Farmer's Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Lemuel12
Great place for Sat morning trip. Local veggies , flowers , meats etc. Live music and activity area for kids. We had great pastries from one of the vendors. Both sweet and savory . Coffee available and Pizza wagon sells water. No dogs allowed into the market area but the market butts up to the Heritage park and dogs are allowed there. Rest rooms are in the park as well as tables and benches if you need to rest. The Heritage park is a good place to visit on your own or take a cheap interpretive tour by one of the guides.
4. Turnage Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Vicki802 - Beaufort, United States
If you visit Washington, you need to see if there are any events here while you visit. It is an awesome theatre in the heart of downtown. If you are lucky enough to be in town on Thursday or a Saturday, stop by Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 or Saturday morning at 10 to listen to the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association. It's free and it's the Associations time to play in the round. You can also bring an instrument if you play and join them The music is fantastic. You can come in anytime during their jams. They also have art openings here, movies and musical events. They did an incredible job in refurbishing the theatre - it's just beautiful!
5. Broadhurst Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Fine art for collectors and Corporate art placement, featuring original paintings and sculpture created by nationally recognized artists, as well as local N.C arts and crafts. Located in Pinehurst for 30 years Broadhurst Gallery offers a unique experience in art collecting, or if you are just simply looking for that 'special piece' for your home or garden.
6. Artists in Residence at Edgewood Cottage
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
The Blowing Rock Historical Society uses Edgewood Cottage to showcase high country artists. Up to 30 artists are selected each year and given a week to display and sell their art in the restored original home of renowned American artist Elliott Daingerfield. There is art for every interest and budget, and it is a special opportunity to meet the artists, watch them work, and buy their art.
7. SouthPark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Upscale shopping district.
Reviewed By JoelKrugler
This is a fine upscale mall, with many of the stores you'd expect to find only in top malls: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany, etc. Plus the expected solid restaurants: Cheesecake Factory, McCormick & Schmick, Maggiano, and lots more. There's plenty of parking, although it can get crowded and you may have to walk a bit from one of the parking stacks. There's valet parking, of course, for $5. Bottom line: the best mall in the area, clean, well run, high quality, good variety of department stores and specialty shops. What more do you want from a mall?? (Oh yes - convenient location. Obviously that depends upon where you're coming from. For me, coming from the Lake Norman area, this is a bit of a hike... but worth it.)
8. Grovewood Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Grovewood Village is a hidden gem rich with art and history. Located adjacent to the Omni Grove Park Inn, this site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, a force in American craft and textiles that was originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 11-acre property is now home to Grovewood Gallery, working artist studios, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, and the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum. PLEASE NOTE: Our 2 museums are closed during the winter months of January - March. Grovewood Gallery is open year-round. Grovewood Village has no admission fees, and free parking is available on-site.
Reviewed By MargieP562 - Goldsboro, United States
There is so much to see here and truly great shopping. There’s a speciality hand crafted master furniture store with top quality work on the second floor. The first floor sells beautiful work created for jewelry, kitchen ware, clocks, unique gifts and so much more. The free antique car museum is a real treat. All beautiful cars with a lot of history explained. There’s also an old boot legging still in there and an Asheville fire truck beautifully maintained. Outside the shops are lawn ornaments and wind ornaments all for sale. Excellent work on every piece for sale.
9. Blue Spiral 1
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Founded in 1990, Blue Spiral 1 presents work by exceptional artists in an awe-inspiring space. The light-filled 15,000 square-foot gallery spans three floors connected by an open stairway. Blue Spiral 1 presents over twenty annual exhibitions of sculpture, paintings, studio craft, and photography. They are either discipline based or developed around themes. The gallery's upper level features a diverse collection of works by nearly 100 regularly represented artists. The gallery also has had the privilege of representing the estate of Will Henry Stevens (1881-1949) for thirty years. A pioneer in modernism in the American South, Stevens, "should be on everyone's list of the top 10-15 underrated artists in America in the first part of the 20th Century." -David Houston, Director of Curatorial, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (previous)
Reviewed By BouvierSterling
We searched this out after reading some of the TripAdvisor reviews, and were not disappointed. This is a large gallery, showcasing an excellent variety of art mediums and styles, much of it craft-based. Spend 2 hours here, even if you don't have a chance to purchase now. You will be inspired. If one is serious about possible purchase(s) without a specific medium or artist in mind, 3-4 hrs will be needed.
10. Woolworth Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 801 reviews
Reviewed By judyh786 - Richmond, United States
Located conveniently to show, restaurants, and hotels, this place is a very inventive use of an old Woolworth store. There is a sandwich counter and two floors of artists’ booths-a wide variety of media and styles are represented, A great spot for a local leisurely browse and to purchase a reminder of your visit.
