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
Top 10 Gardens 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. Pisgah National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 662 reviews
A park within easy driving distance from Hendersonville that offers hiking, camping and fishing.
Reviewed By tomtI3003XC - Concord, United States
Pisgah Forest has some beautiful streams, waterfalls, mountains, and unspoiled forest that can’t be beat! Whether you are site seeing , hiking , trout fishing, camping or Mountain biking there are more than enough in the huge National Forest ???? The Looking Glass Waterfall is a prime example of just some of the sights to see, with very easy access to view it’s beauty right off the side of the main road coming into the forest from North Brevard NC. And just a little south of Pisgah is my favorite MTB getaway DuPont State Forest, so you can enjoy both with minimal driving.
2. 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.
3. Grandfather Mountain Nursery Garden Center
4. Brunswick County Botanical Gardens
5. Wing Haven
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wing Haven provides a natural oasis for reflection and study of its three public gardens. Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary is rich in Southern horticulture and a habitat for birds and wildlife. The Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden is the site of a world-renowned garden writer's living laboratory. The SEED Wildlife & Children's Gardens provide hands-on exploratory learning and a natural habitat for local wildlife. Together, these three gardens welcome visitors of all ages to discover and learn. Wing Haven also offers more than 40 programs and special events each year. COVID-19 Update: The gardens are open for pre-registered guests to enjoy self-guided tours and visits. No walk-ins. Schedule your visit in advance
Reviewed By onecoolraisin - Huntersville, United States
We really enjoyed this garden and the sister garden down the street (one admission covers both). Well maintained and unique features spread throughout the grounds. Nice retreat right in Charlotte, definitely recommend.
6. Elizabethan Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Fanciful and elaborate gardens were kept to entertain Queen Elizabeth I during her reign. Our garden was created for your enjoyment, and as a living memorial to the time when Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists lived in this very place over 400 years ago. The Elizabethan Gardens is a project of the Garden Club of North Carolina. Located 15 minutes from Nags Head, North Carolina. Special features include: Butterfly Center, Children's Discovery Cottage/ Outdoor Play Area, Italian renaissance statuary, water views, gift shop and plant sales, mobile phone audio tour. Plant collections include: native plants, azaleas, crape mrytles, hydrangeas, conifers and seasonal blooms. Our dapple-shaded paths and lush green Scape offer a tranquil retreat from the beach. We are pet friendly. Our walkways are handicap accessible.
Reviewed By HistoryLover2017 - Maryland, United States
Winter Lights are a wonderful experience this year! The Elizabethan Gardens have created a lovely, unique experience that follows guidelines for Covid Cautions. Reservations are made online and in advance this year, and there is spacing between groups as well as a mask requirement to walk through the Gardens for the Winter Lights. This actually makes for a more private experience than in earlier years. The music is lovely and playing throughout the Gardens, the lights are very magical and there are many lovely touches, including the theatrical Elizabethan figures staged as if a ball is in progress and (new this year) individual decorated trees in plastic wind protecting 'bubbles' staged at several points in the Gardens. The entire experience makes for a lovely evening, and you'll probably want to return before the season's over.
7. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
Part of the North Carolina State University, this eight-acre garden contains a wide variety of cold hardy temperate zone plants.
Reviewed By 565elizabetham - Raleigh, United States
Lovely place to walk in any season. It’s small enough to cover most of it is about an hour. Benches located in pretty settings (e.g. rose garden!)
8. 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
9. Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By LeslieT745 - Pinehurst, United States
Been in Moore county for 8 years and can't believe I haven't been here. What a beautiful garden, offering various types of gardens. Went in November so very few blooming specimens other than camellias, but the beauty was still there. Well maintained and just serene. A must visit!
10. North Carolina Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 283 reviews
The North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG), part of the University of North Carolina, is a 1,000+ acre assemblage of display gardens and natural areas in and around Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Garden is nationally known as a center for the study, display, interpretation, and conservation of southeastern native plants. Our main gardens in Chapel Hill feature a variety of native plant displays, an indoor exhibit hall, Garden Shop, art gallery, and extensive nature trails behind the Garden.
Reviewed By NCTraveler2015 - Raleigh, United States
The North Carolina Botanical Gardens is reopened in Chapel Hill. The buildings are closed but the display gardens and the restrooms are open. Although the gardens are free to visit they do ask for a $5 donation. At the moment there are various art sculptures within the garden that adds a new dimension to the gardens. The gardens are divided into the Piedmont area; Coastal Plains and the Mountains. There is also an herb garden. It is a great place to spend some time and take in nature.
