North Carolina

Whether you’re coming for barbecue, outdoor fun, or university vibes, North Carolina delivers. The majestic Blue Ridge Mountains beckon hikers while beachgoers head for small coastal towns along the Atlantic. In between are artsy Asheville, whose restaurants have several James Beard Award semi-finalists and nominees, as well as Raleigh, Charlotte, and Durham, where three big research universities mean lots of students and academics and top-notch museums—like the free North Carolina Museum of Art and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

The Linn Cove Viaduct, at mile marker 304.4, was one of the most ambitious and technically challenging segments of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Photo by Anthony Heflin/Shutterstock

Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to North Carolina.

Related Guides
Read Before You Go
Poet laureate Glenis Redmond reveals the city’s best spots for dancing—and shares her tips on how to enjoy the city’s thriving literary and performing arts scenes.
Hotels
As Asheville rebuilds after Hurricane Helene, these 12 hotels offer a chance to support the comeback while staying in places that reflect the city’s vibrant energy and resilience.
From Savannah, Georgia, to Birmingham, Alabama, immerse yourself in inspiring art collections at these hotels and then explore the thriving creative scene of each destination.
Stay in one of these stylish campers across the United States.
Plan a getaway to the Blue Ridge Mountains with one of these isolated cabins you can rent in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or Georgia.
Resources to help plan your trip
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly spot to lay down your towel or an empty sand dune-fringed stretch for long walks, we’ve got you covered.
Pick a podcast, gas up (or charge up), and hit the road for one of these epic drives.
Asheville’s historic strip is buzzing again, with a mix of people and places that bring its remarkable past into the present.
The cities of Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte are innovating a cool future through art, food, and a celebration of the past.
Discover flourishing historic districts, tantalizing southern cuisine, and easy access to the outdoors.
With crowds overrunning the U.S.’s most popular national parks, head to these alternative parks, forests, and natural wonders instead.
The history of things now unseen and a future not yet made.
Whether you’re in it for the exercise, the views, or the fun, Black Dome Mountain Sports owner Trent Thomas knows the best hikes.
From a hemp farm with goat yoga to a wedding chapel with vintage clothing for sale, these businesses make Asheville unlike anywhere else.
This North Carolina city stands out with its singular culture—celebrating craft beer and culinary upstarts, artists and free spirits—and a rich history.
How can you go wrong when you’re surrounded by spectacular hills, crashing waterfalls, shaded paths, glinting mountain lakes, winding highways with dramatic overlooks, and all of it within reach of Dollywood? Come to the Smokies and have some natural fun.
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