You can hike in the beautiful mountains that surround it, drive or cycle the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, or just eat your way through a weekend Downtown. Fall lures travelers to the spectacular colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The town was actually created in the late 1700s to serve the university. And of course, the Carolina Panthers and Hornets are a big deal and the Knights play Minor League Baseball at the beautiful BB&T Ballpark. Then, venture to Franklin Street, the city's social hub, to check out more museums, peruse art galleries, listen to live music and dine at award-winning restaurants. When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic! And while there are no camping facilities here, it is a great place for a picnic. Home2 Suites by Hilton Florence Cincinnati Airport South. They are both featured in our guide to childrens museums throughout the state! Additionally, Raleigh features several can't-miss outdoor attractions, including William B. Umstead State Park (with multiple lakes for fishing and canoeing, plus trails for hiking, biking and riding horses) and Pullen Park (a green space that houses one of America's oldest amusement parks). The list of things to do in North Carolina for a fun holiday getaway can also include NASCAR racetrack light displays, rides on a Christmas train, and visiting choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms. Explore festivities ideal for maximizing the sweater weather season. The citys gardens present visitors with beauty in all directions, as they capture the history of the area. There is admission to be paid at the main access to Chimney Rock, although it is admission-free at Rumbling Bald, plus it has one of the parks six trails. Or you can venture into Wilmingtons historic downtown. Youll also find an ageless toy store, a throwback theater, a gem mining attraction, a general store with a 1950s diner attached, and much more. Situated less than 17 miles southeast of Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach State Park offers an escape from the busyness of South Carolina's better-known beaches. Yet still were constantly amazed by the sheer volume of exciting things to do in NC. The charms of this coastal South Carolina city can't be understated, and travelers from across the country are taking notice. Theres also the Dismal Swamp Canal, the oldest continually operating constructed canal in the US, which is considered one of the most haunted places in North Carolina. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the countrys most visited National Park and one of the best places to visit in North Carolina. North Carolina Tourism: Tripadvisor has 3,470,052 reviews of North Carolina Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best North Carolina resource. From Swansboro and Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach, Beaufort and Morehead City, each charming community offers a wonderful variety . Discover Your Trip Refined Relaxers Among the major points of interest in North Carolina is Clingmans Dome, the highest mountain in the Smoky Mountains, as well as several mountains over 6,000 feet (the tallest summits on the AT). The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great way to get to Linville Falls, which can be seen from overlooks on two trails from the Linville Falls Visitors Center. Theres also the beautiful Carolina Theatre that you should check out for a show or just to stare at from the outside. READ MORE: The 35 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC, 132 Park Ave, Blowing Rock NC (828)295-4636 Official Website. For the last several years they have lived just off the BRP near Elkin, Southwest Virginia, and the NC High Country. North Carolina 2023: Best Places to Visit Steeped in the Blue Ridge Mountains area, Boone is the ideal destination for weekend getaways and lengthier vacations. Tips & Advice 9 best places to visit in North Carolina from the Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks . text-decoration: underline A boat ride just off-shore brings visitors to the Cape Lookout National Seashore. The Pisgah Ranger District has a huge collection of incrediblewaterfalls, and its also home to the Cradle of Forestry, the nations first school of forestry. Its also got a reputation for some of the states finest barbecue, which youll remember after visiting Bs or Parkers. .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} So theres a host of wonderful things to see on the AT in NC, whether youre on a day hike or trying to complete the 2,194-mile trek from North Georgia to Maine. Located in northern North Carolina, this is a part of the state that very well might see a white Christmas. 25 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina Within its boundaries, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest has one of the last sections of old-growth forest on the East Coast. Beaufort Bald Head Island Greensboro Emerald Isle Carolina Beach Winston-Salem Huntington Beach State Park Chapel Hill Wilmington, NC Congaree National Park Pisgah National Forest View 73 Photos. Read below for more weather and travel details. Then theres nighttime at the cape, where visitors are encouraged to bring their flashlights to experience the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and its beaches as the lighthouse keepers once did. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about theLeave No Traceprinciples ofresponsible environmental stewardship. Many of these fun activities feature in our guide to free things to do in Raleigh, too! .ai-viewport-0 { display: none !important;} On this North Carolina island, you'll discover 10,000 acres of unspoiled land, including nature preserves and 14 miles of beaches. $( document.body ).append( '' ); Downtown is also host to the Historic Riverwalk, which introduces newcomers to the waterfront milieu. Read More: The Best NC Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes. Christmas Festivals (Christmas Markets and Holiday Markets) New Year's Eve Events (Runs, Music, and More Celebrations) More Things to Do in North Carolina in December Founded by Moravians (a Protestant group from Eastern Europe) in the 1700s, the twin city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, draws visitors with its historical charm, eclectic art scene and tasty wine. Meanwhile, outdoorsy types can take advantage of Freedom Park's trails and sports courts or try more adventurous pursuits like whitewater rafting and zip lining at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Speaking of the latter, Foothills Brewing makes some of our favorite NC beer. Winston-Salem is was once two separate cities in North Carolina (hence the hyphen) and the largest in North Carolina. fbq('init', '754829038551418', {}, { Company Mill Trail is our favorite there but in our guide, you can find even more. Meanwhile, travelers looking for more activity can venture to Jockey's Ridge State Park to try sandboarding or hang gliding. Theres such an abundance of great places to visit in North Carolina, visitors may find themselves wanting to stop every few miles down the road. There are some really fun things to do in Hickory, especially when youre talking about its museums. 18 Fun Things to Do in Charlotte, NC But it would be a disservice to the rest of the Outer Banks to let the praise stop there. Technically, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited National Park System unit in the United States, with nearly 16 million visitors in 2021. jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { A rare collection of hemlock trees typically found in Western North Carolina is protected here and you can see them while walking through the Preserves well-maintained trails. One of the mountains highlights is the Mile High Swinging Bridge, from which visitors can have 360-degree panoramic views. Florence. One of this North Carolina town's highlights is its vintage boardwalk, which features an arcade, an amusement park and ample places to purchase sweets. Using Asheville as a hub, its easy to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. 11. Families can find also more entertainment at the Port City Marina, Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, and the Battleship North Carolina. Land of Waterfalls), Brevard NC is beloved as a comfortable Blue Ridge mountain townwith a primo location. Some of our other favoriteNorth Carolina vacation spots include national parks, national forests, state parks, and campgrounds that offer access to great hiking trails. Downtown Chapel Hill has Franklin Street at its heart, which is the spot for finding good restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Hiking, biking, fishing, and camping are all popular activities here. The Skyway has been featured as a Top 10 Motorcycle Ride in North America on the Discovery Channel. READ MORE:The 15 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina, 501 South Water St, Elizabeth City NC (252)335-5330 Official Website. @media only screen and (min-width: 769px) { Davidson is a small college town home to Davidson College committed to providing residents with a high quality of life. Olde Hickory Brewery pumps out some of NCs finest beer and you can also visit their three restaurant locations throughout town. Besides these impressiveWestern North Carolina waterfalls, the forest also has an amazing collection of NC mountain lakes, most of which can also be explored on a nice day hike. What do you enjoy doing here? } 3. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston. READ MORE:The 10 Best North Carolina Distilleries to Visit, No NC Address (304)535-6278 Official Website. Check with the CDC and the U.S. Department of State before traveling.). Great Wolf Lodge Water Park and SEA LIFE are also here, making this Cabarrus County city a hotspot for family travelers. Carolina Beach (the town) and Carolina Beach State Park are right around the corner. More Places to Visit in North Carolina, Near the hamlet of Linville Falls is the dramatic Linville Gorge one of the most stunning vistas in the eastern part of the country. Many folks may know a bit about Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro, but what about the other busy spots? Though the town is home to a population of less than 500, it is known as a world-class art community, with top regional galleries showcasing the works of hundreds of local artists. READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Bryson City NC & Swain County, 308 West Franklin St, Chapel Hill NC (888)968-2060 Official Website. Old Salem, along with Reynolda House, and two of our favorite museums in Winston-Salem. } The 12 Best Winter Activities in North Carolina! Visitors will find moss-laden live oaks, horse-drawn carriages, brick-lined streets, and Victorian architecture there. text-decoration: none Pitt Street Brewing and Uptown Brewing are two of the best craft beer makers in the city, too. Experience everything from outdoor excitement and scenic trails to seeing sculptures and art galleries. Shelley Lake (How To Enjoy One Of Raleighs Best Parks! On Day Two, let your appetite lead the way by following the North Carolina Barbecue Trail. The Best Time to Visit North Carolina, United States for Weather READ MORE: The 15 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit, READ MORE: The 20 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in NorthCarolina, 36 Montford Ave, Asheville NC (828)258-6129 Official Website. .inside-article{ READ MORE: The 15 Best Romantic Getaways in NC (Cabins, Inns & Resorts), 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee NC (865)436-1200 Official Website. 1. } 8 Enchanting Christmas Towns To Visit In North Carolina Also save time for a stroll along Wilmington's Riverwalk to take in your surroundings. The twinkling lights at the Biltmore Estate are a must-see winter attraction. An overview of the best places to visit in North Carolina: 10. 5 Great Winter Hikes Near Asheville Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in Asheville Spa and Wellness Experiences with an Asheville Twist Discover Asheville's Top 5 Winter Wonders Asheville's Top Romantic Weekend Getaway Ideas Winter Sports and Activities in Asheville, N.C. 7 Cozy Reasons Asheville is a Picture-Perfect Winter Its a stunning rockface to see from below, and offers jaw-dropping panoramic views from the top. NC Tripping uses Mediavine to manage all third-party advertising on this Website. There are four campgrounds located across Cape Hatteras National Seashore which offer a unique experience of the barrier islands. Its beautiful from the top! McAdenville Kreg Steppe/Flickr They don't call it Christmas Town USA for no reason. Two rivers meet in New Bern, where guests will find Tryon Palace, homes laden with history, stunning gardens, shops, outstanding restaurants, and entertainment. If they are fully booked, you could try a really cool treehouse like this one. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center in GSMNP is just a few minutes further. 1. However, even the most business-centric travelers have some pretty fun things to do in the city. 7. Even if you live in the area, enjoy a stay overnight at either the Carolina Inn or the Tusan-themed Siena Hotel. Downtown Wilmingtons Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 1793) is one of the most fun places in NC weve visited. Nestled within eastern Tennessee's section of the Great Smoky. 1790 Hanging Rock Park Rd. .archive .content-area a { There are diverse trails ranging from easy walking trails along rivers to more challenging uphill climbs. Visit the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the oldest public university in the country, to tour its impressive attractions, including the North Carolina Botanical Garden and the Carolina Basketball Museum. So much of the states most stunning mountain scenery can be found at Chimney Rock State Park. } You can also look for cities 4 hours from Carrboro, NC (or 3 hours or 2 hours or 1 hour) or just search in general for all of the cities close to Carrboro, NC. Plus, the gentle water makes it an excellent place to swim, fish, paddleboard and kayak. Downtown Southport in North Carolina. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, North Carolina, 24. "source": "woocommerce", Covering over 500,000 acres, Pisgah National Forest is split into three distinct districts, with one below Asheville, one east of it, and one north of it. Sometimes overshadowed by Pisgah National Forest, theNantahala National Forest is actually the larger of the two. .generate-back-to-top, And did we mention the beaches near Wilmington? At Chimney Rock Access, there is ample opportunity for hiking and picnicking. Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Despite being in the cold north, Chicago is one of the best cities to visit in December. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains provide many outdoor adventures for the active traveler. Cary is where youll find the USA Baseball National Training Complex. Quick tip: Youre also within a short drive of Brevard, which is one of our favorite small towns (especially in the mountains)! There are tons of things to do in Asheville, one of the coolest cities in North Carolina. This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Asheville, the most popular "cool" city in North Carolina. The park offers top-notch fishing, as well as opportunities to hike past unique flora like Venus' flytrap. The hike up the Profile Trail and over to Calloway Peak was one of the most rewarding NC hikes my wife Emma and I have ever done. North Carolina and South Carolina are two East Coast states with endless vacation possibilities. Art and history enthusiasts can spend hours perusing the exhibits at Mint Museum Uptown and the Levine Museum of the New South. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); 2023. Start there with the Catawba Science Center and the Hickory Aviation Museum.