Top 5 Places to Visit in North Carolina
1. Outer Banks – The Outer Banks is a string of barrier islands located just off the North Carolina coastline. A favourite haunt for pirates in the past, even the infamous Blackbeard once reached to these narrow islands, but nowadays the people you can meet on the island are mainly holidaymakers seeking a break from the summer heat and they are not drinking rum… or at least some of them. The northern end of the Outer Banks is an exciting place famous for the wild horses that wander the beach dunes. The middle section is the Bodie Island where the towns Nags Head and Kitty Hawk are situated and visitors can spend their time in taking golf courses, visiting the many souvenir shops and restaurants. Head west and you will reach to Roanoke Island, a home to the town of Manteo and its “Lost Colony”.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Great Smoky Mountains National Park is conveniently located within a reasonable driving distance of a bunch of popular destinations and cities on the East Coast, the park is well-visited by many tourists all the time. In fact, the park is so well-visited that it is the most visited national park in the whole country. This national park is also appreciated for its vast, diverse, and unique wildlife and beautiful scenery. There is a big chance to meet a black bear, deer, fox, turkey, and even an elk along the way while wandering in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
3. Wilmington – You can find the most popular beaches of North Carolina situated in the Wilmington area. Whether you will enjoy Carolina, Kure, or Wrightsville Beach, it is up to you and you won’t be disappointed for sure. Wilmington is a historic port city that is also a family-friendly destination with lots of opportunities for entertainment for all ages. Some of the highlights of Wilmington include The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher that is one of the best in the country, Wilmington’s Riverwalk and its scenery setting running alongside the Cape Fear River, a number of mansions and plantations in the area including oldest peanut plantation in the USA Poplar Grove Plantation.
4. Charlotte – Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina that offers a lot of entertainment opportunities for all visitors, especially the motorsport enthusiasts. Charlotte is also known as the Queen City and a home to a number of cool attractions. Make sure to visit the infamous Carowinds, which is the largest man-made whitewater park in the country, the US National Whitewater Center, the family-friendly Discovery Place and its science museum and aquarium, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
5. Blue Ridge Parkway – The Blue Ridge Parkway is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful routes in the country and there is no wonder why. This winding stretch is especially gorgeous and stunning in autumn when the surrounding hills turn into orange, yellow, and red fairytales. Blue Ridge Parkway has earned both the National Parkway and All-American Road designations and runs almost 470 miles from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park to Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, which makes it a perfect getaway for exploring a few natural wonders along the way.