North Carolina's assets include gorgeous natural settings, world-class culture, and a barbecue style all its own. Here are the top things to see and do in the Tarheel State.
The most mountainous part of the southern Appalachians, Great Smoky Mountains National Park bridges North Carolina and its neighbor Tennessee. According to the National Park Service, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most visited of any of the National Parks. Activities here include hiking, camping, rafting, and enjoying fall foliage, among many other outdoor pursuits.More »
Established by the North Carolina State Legislature in 1947 and opened in 1956, the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh has one of the finest art collections in the Southeast. The permanent collection contains works from ancient times to the present, including Greek and Roman sculpture, Renaissance paintings, and contemporary mixed-media installations. Admission is free.More »
North Carolina is one of a handful of U.S. states known for its special way of making saucy, smoked meat. Try the Eastern and/or Western styles along the North Carolina Barbecue Society Historic Trail, which highlights 23 exceptional barbecue joints from Murphy to Greenville.More »
•The Outer Banks
The strand of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina known as The Outer Banks is a very popular vacation destination from early spring until late fall, but primarily during the height of summer. Undeveloped beaches, lighthouses, and nature preserves define this area.More »•Biltmore Estate
This National Historic Landmark, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1995, is the largest privately owned home in the United States. Located in Asheville, in western North Carolina, the Biltmore is known for its events, such as the Festival of Flowers (April/May) and its spirited holiday displays inside and out during Christmas time.More »•Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The most mountainous part of the southern Appalachians, Great Smoky Mountains National Park bridges North Carolina and its neighbor Tennessee. According to the National Park Service, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most visited of any of the National Parks. Activities here include hiking, camping, rafting, and enjoying fall foliage, among many other outdoor pursuits.More »
•North Carolina Museum of Art
Established by the North Carolina State Legislature in 1947 and opened in 1956, the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh has one of the finest art collections in the Southeast. The permanent collection contains works from ancient times to the present, including Greek and Roman sculpture, Renaissance paintings, and contemporary mixed-media installations. Admission is free.More »
•Wright Brothers National Memorial
Visit Kill Devil Hills, where Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first successful self-powered airplane on December 17, 1903. The Wright Brothers National Memorial, located in the northern section of the Outer Banks, includes exhibits, such as full-scale reproductions of the Wrights' flyers, and tours of the areas where the brothers made aviation history.More »•North Carolina Barbecue Pilgrimage
North Carolina is one of a handful of U.S. states known for its special way of making saucy, smoked meat. Try the Eastern and/or Western styles along the North Carolina Barbecue Society Historic Trail, which highlights 23 exceptional barbecue joints from Murphy to Greenville.More »