North Carolina Travel Guide
North Carolina is a state of stunning contrasts, from misty mountain peaks to sandy shores. In the west, the Blue Ridge Mountains offer picturesque hiking trails, waterfalls, and breathtaking views. Head east to find relaxed beach towns along the coast. Whether you are chasing the mountain air or the ocean breeze, North Carolina delivers the best of both worlds.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We visited Great Smoky Mountains in early November to catch the last of the autumn colors. On our weekend visit, we used Gatlinburg, Tennessee as our home base. This article details our experience along with the best things we did within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
A Weekend in Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Asheville
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville makes the perfect weekend getaway. These guides cover some of the best things to do in Asheville.
A Weekend Getaway to Asheville, North Carolina
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville makes the perfect weekend getaway. There is something here for everyone, whether you are a foodie, a family, a beer aficionado, or an outdoor adventurer. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Asheville, organized by travel style. Best Things to Do in Asheville The […]
Photographing Waterfalls near Asheville, North Carolina
In 2017, I traveled solo to Asheville, North Carolina. Armed with my camera and tripod, I wanted to capture the brilliant fall colors in the area as well as spend some time photographing waterfalls. I arrived in Asheville at the very beginning of November. In some places, the falls colors were brilliant, and at others, […]
Top Experiences in North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway. This 469-mile-long scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The drive is rated as one of America’s most beautiful drives. Along the Parkway there are spots to hike, bike, fish, and camp.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited US National Park. It has several beautiful scenic drives through woodlands and past overlooks, as well as over 800 miles of hiking trails. Other popular things to do include seeing waterfalls, wildlife viewing, fishing, horseback riding, and camping.
Asheville. Nestled in the mountains, Asheville offers a blend of city life and outdoor adventure. In the morning, take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, go hiking, and search for waterfalls. In the afternoon, visit the Biltmore Estate, step into an art gallery, and do a little shopping. In the evening, go out for food and drinks at one of its many restaurants and bars.
Biltmore Estate. Built over one hundred years ago by George Washington Vanderbilt, this mansion is the largest privately owned home in the United States. Tour the 250-room chateau, shop and dine at the Antler Hill Village, and go wine tasting at the Biltmore winery.
Chimney Rock State Park. This small state park is best known for its 535-million-year- old monolith called Chimney Rock. Visitors can stand on top of Chimney Rock for panoramic views, hike to other viewpoints, and see the 404-foot-tall Hickory Nut Falls.
Lake Lure. This popular man-made lake, located next to Chimney Rock State Park, features a sandy beach, good swimming, fishing, and other water-based activities.
Pisgah National Forest. Pisgah National Forest is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails, plenty of waterfalls, and whitewater rapids. The forest is especially scenic with the fall colors.
DuPont State Forest. This recreational area contains over 10,000 acres of forest, hiking trails, and waterfalls. It is also famous for being a Hunger Games filming location.
The Outer Banks. The Outer Banks is a family-friendly beach vacation destination. With over one hundred miles of shoreline, small oceanside villages, and shipwreck dive sites, this is a highly popular spot for summer vacations.
Wright Brothers National Memorial. This monument at Kill Devil Hills, in the Outer Banks, commemorates the first successful airplane flight of the Wright Brothers. Visitors can stand at the starting and ending points of their first four flights, see a life-sized replica of the Wright Flyer, and more.
Wilmington. Nestled along North Carolina’s southeastern coast, Wilmington has a historic waterfront downtown area, a scenic riverwalk, and coastal access. Enjoy a day at Wrightsville Beach or tour Battleship North Carolina, a decommissioned WWII-era battleship.
Best Time to Visit North Carolina
The summer season (June through August) is the best time to visit the beaches of North Carolina. You will have the warmest and sunniest days for unwinding on a beach and spending time in the water.
The spring season (April through May) and fall season (September through October) are the best times for exploring the mountains, especially in October to see the stunning fall colors. Temperatures will be cooler than the summer season making it perfect for recreational activities like hiking and biking.
Places to Visit Near North Carolina
9 Amazing Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park
This guide covers the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park, nearby attractions, and essential tips to help you plan your trip, including where to stay, how many days you’ll need, and the best time of year to visit. Shenandoah National Park preserves a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Skyline Drive […]
10 Best Hikes in Shenandoah (+One to Skip)
Discover the 10 best hikes in Shenandoah, with tips for families, photographers, and new hikers. 500 miles of hiking trails travel through Shenandoah National Park. These trails range from short, easy summit hikes, gorgeous walks to waterfalls, to challenging climbs up the tallest mountains. You also have the option to walk a few miles of […]
20 Amazing Things to Do in Charleston, SC
Charleston is a small coastal city in South Carolina. Touring its historic homes, shopping along King Street and in the Charleston City Market, and getting a history lesson at its museums top the list of things to do in Charleston. But you can also dine at a wonderfully long list of restaurants and venture beyond […]
12 Best Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “Nashville?” For me, the answer is country music. Country music was not born here (it was actually born in Bristol, Tennessee) but Nashville is responsible for growing the country music industry over the past 100 years. People travel here to see the Country Music […]
One Perfect Day in Congaree National Park
With its compact size and short list of things to do, one day is all you really need to visit Congaree National Park. With one day in Congaree National Park, walk the boardwalk trail, go canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek, and venture farther into the wilderness on one of several other hiking trails in […]
New River Gorge National Park Itinerary for 1 to 3 Days
If you are planning your New River Gorge National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. There are many different ways to plan the “perfect New River Gorge itinerary,” depending on your interests and how much time you have. The things to do in New River Gorge National Park are scattered along the […]
USA Travel Ideas
Here are a few more articles about things to see and do in and around Virginia.
Our 15 Favorite US National Parks: A Few May Surprise You
Stretching from the South Pacific, across the United States and into the Caribbean, are 63 national parks. These national treasures are filled with scenic drives, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, wildlife, historic sites, and endless opportunities for adventure. In this guide, we cover 15 of the best national parks in the USA and what […]
Best USA Road Trips: 18 Ideas for Your Next Big Adventure
One of the best ways to explore the USA is on a good old-fashioned road trip. Cruise along Route 66, road trip through the Florida Keys, explore the American Southwest, or even drive from coast to coast. In this guide, we share 18 of the best USA road trips…18 great ideas for your next big […]
US National Parks List: All 63 Parks, Map & Free Printable Checklist
There are 63 national parks in the United States, and we’ve visited 56 of them, from the remote wilderness of Denali to the coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. We’re a family of avid hikers who have spent over a decade exploring these parks, from multi-day backcountry trips to scenic drives with kids in tow. […]
Great Places to Work Remotely
Asheville makes our list onto 15 of the best destinations to work remotely within the United States. Check out this article to see what else we ranked!
15 Great Places to Work Remotely in the USA
US National Parks
The Ultimate Guide to the 63 US National Parks
The US National Parks make an excellent travel destination, whether you are planning a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway. In our guide to the national parks, get detailed trip planning information, advice on which parks to visit by season, and itineraries to help simplify your travel planning process.