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
The 10 Best Museums in North Carolina, United States
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. Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,397 reviews
Reviewed By wvsjr - Bessemer, United States
My wife and I love the show what’s in the barn so we decided to visit this museum of old motorcycles it is very interesting and a lot of history and old bikes to see it was awesome
2. Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,075 reviews
The doors opened on 16 August 2000, the 60th anniversary of the original Test Platoon’s first parachute jump. The museum offers free admission, a main exhibit gallery, temporary gallery, four-story tall theater, a gift shop, and a motion simulator ride that features two experiences. Admission is free, and we do accept donations in the gift shop and in donation boxes in the lobby. The main gallery is designed as a self-guided tour, in chronological order, through the history of airborne and special operations soldiers from 1940 to the present. The temporary gallery changes periodically and displays a myriad of exhibits pertaining to the United States Army airborne and special operations units through their history and conflicts from World War II to the present.
Reviewed By SirRick - Reliance, United States
Had the opportunity to visit the museum while visiting Fayetteville. Must say it was well worth it and brought back so many memories of 20 years assigned to SF at Bragg. Forgotten memories came flooding back when I saw pictures and faces of people on the wall that I served with and knew. Goose bumps came over me, recalling experiences. This was a long over due visit, having left the area almost 30 years ago. It was well worth the visit and I salute those involved in creating this museum of history that displays the sacrifices made by the soldier in defense of this great country. I also SALUTE the volunteers who sacrifice their time to make this place an memorable visit for the old soldier and his family upon their return. Highly recommend everyone visiting the Fayetteville area to stop by and see what history has recorded of the Airborne and Special Forces soldier.
3. The Carolina Basketball Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 196 reviews
Reviewed By EDDY-H - Greenville, United States
We went once before a basketball game. I have to say it was impressive. I have worked with the University and the athletic department providing deejay and emcee services and have always been proud to be associated with UNC (also a 1983 graduate). Knowing some of the coaches, players and others represented here was an extra thrill for me and sharing with my friends and family was great. GO HEELS!
4. Hickory Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
The Hickory Aviation Museum located at the Hickory Regional Airport(HKY) in Hickory North Carolina. We are a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Tax Exempt Organization. We are dedicated to maintaining the facts and artifacts of the Golden Age of Aviation. The Museum provides a unique opportunity for all generations to learn and appreciate aviation history. Free to the Public. Open Tuesday - Sunday.
Reviewed By donrush377
a great museum,,, not a lot to see but worth it, a great place to take the kids. lots of history and something to do on a weekend
5. Biltmore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,629 reviews
George Vanderbilt's historic country estate in Asheville, NC; Biltmore includes Biltmore House--America's largest home--plus gardens, winery, Antler Hill Village, historic farm, 4-star Inn on Biltmore Estate, shops, restaurants, branded products, and outdoor adventures. This National Historic Landmark is an amazing destination offering a wide range of activities for all ages.
Reviewed By travelerfromsj - San Jose, United States
We did the self-guided audio tour of the house early in the morning, with tickets bought on-line a month earlier. While the house itself was fascinating, I have to say the audio part of it was a little corny and overacted at times- all about guests going to a party, and not much about the history or architecture of the house; but I liked seeing the period clothing. The tour ended appropriately with a tour of the servants quarters, at the bottom of the house. After that we walked around the gardens, to the Bass pond and back. The highlight was definitely the Conservatory, which was stunning; make sure to stop in there to see the orchids. After a quick lunch we took the Legacy of the Land tour, which is a shuttle tour that makes a few stops for guests to get out and look around. I think our tour guide was Jim, and it was absolutely fascinating. I was expecting a tour of the Farm, but it was more about Vanderbilt’s decision to build the Biltmore, how he acquired the land, Olmsted’s design of the grounds, the beginnings of the US forestry service… It was definitely a nice counterpoint to the house tour, and I highly recommend it. We ate at Antler Hill Village twice while here, and sampled wine at the winery. I have to say this place is HUGE; it’s about 5 miles between the Biltmore House and Antler Hill Village, so you’ll definitely want a plan and a car. Plan on spending at least a day. The only negative we ran into is that parking for the Biltmore House tours was confusing and not well signed, especially if you’re looking for the park and walk lot. Pretty much every car that came in ended up driving all the way up to the lawn in front of the house, where a guard told them to do a U-turn and go back. More signs or a couple of folks directing traffic in the morning would be really helpful.
6. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,284 reviews
The Southeast's largest natural history museum features dinosaurs, whale skeletons, live animals, walk-through dioramas, special exhibits, hands-on science education and accessible scientists. IMLS National Medal Finalist, 2014.
Reviewed By sarahsavvy - Sevierville, United States
We spent multiple rainy Sundays here, we love this museum so many different sections, they have a butterfly exhibit,a sloth exhibit, dinosaurs, fossils,Arthropods and many other things highly recommend this museum the best in the state
7. North Carolina Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 856 reviews
Premier museum that has a large collection of boats, models, decoys and dioramas about life in coastal North Carolina.
Reviewed By 972doloresm - Pinehurst, United States
Very comprehensive museum with many of Blackbeard's artifacts on display.His ship the Queen Anne's Revenge sunk right off the shore of Beaufort NC. Many very nice exhibits encompassing the maritime history.
8. Wright Brothers National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,204 reviews
Park where visitors can see a replica of the Wright Brothers' plane and receive an entertaining history of flight.
Reviewed By PHLee7ca - Ellicott City, United States
We visited this attraction on a sunny Saturday in October. The cost was $10/adult and lots of free parking. We first walked around the grounds and saw the old "runway", sheds, and climbed up Kill Devil Hill to see the monument and view of the town. Then we joined the narrated tour by one of the Park Rangers, she was very informative and animated! We then spent the rest of our time touring inside the info. center and got our "passports" stamped in the Gift Store! From the top of the hill, we noticed a full scale scene of the first flight and stopped by on our drive out....very nice, all the "characters" immortalized in bronze along with the plane. A very nice "park", museum and history lesson.
9. Discovery Place Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,467 reviews
This hands-on science Museum in Uptown Charlotte features exciting interactive exhibitions, a larger-than-life IMAX Dome Theatre and educational programs. We offer summer camps and birthday parties too.
Reviewed By drwhocooke - Talisay, Philippines
This facility is consistently one of my favorite "accessible science" venues! Entertaining, engaging, and educational displays and activities are suited for all ages, with an emphasis on sparking the curiosity and wonder of children. Don't miss it when you visit (or live in) Charlotte!
10. North Carolina Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,793 reviews
One of the leading art museums in the American South, the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) recently completed a major, three-year expansion that places it in the front ranks of museums nationwide. The NCMA offers a permanent collection spanning more than 5,000 years, a variety of celebrated exhibitions and public programs, an amphitheater for outdoor performances, and the nation’s largest museum park—164 acres of trails and parkland containing major works of art.
Reviewed By maas_johnf - Raleigh, United States
We visited on an October "Members Only" Thursday evening. The curation has definitely improved. We were happy to see the changes in the curation of the collection in the newer main building, especially in the juxtaposition of art from different eras, styles, and countries, and the moving of a lot of more contemporary art to the main building. We were also impressed with the many focus groupings in the older exhibition building. We loved the way they are managing the pandemic with one-way arrows to guide you through the collections, face mask requirement, timed entry, and large spaces with no seating.
