Travel to North Carolina, where you’ll experience firsts that turn into moments you’ll never forget. With stunning mountains, vibrant cities and pristine beaches, just one experience in NC could be everlasting.
Whether you’re planning a day trip, weekend getaway or weeklong vacation, there’s no shortage of things to do in North Carolina. There’s a depth and a richness – new attractions to explore, familiar activities to experience in fresh ways – that draws visitors back here to connect year after year.
The Blue Ridge Parkway travels 252 miles in North Carolina’s mountains, with ample exits for weekend getaways from Asheville to Boone. Cities like Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro exude rich character perfect to explore on a romantic escape. Coastal towns like New Bern and Wilmington blend modern charm and history. And 300 miles of beaches guarantee family vacation fun from the Outer Banks to Bald Head Island to Emerald Isle.
OFFSHORE FISHING
The Gulf Stream pulls warm water north while the Labrador Current pulls cool water south, making for some big fish stories waiting just a bit offshore. The Outer Banks are just 30 miles or so from the Gulf Stream, but farther down the coast around Wrightsville Beach, Southport and the Brunswick Islands’ beaches, you’re about 60 miles from these fish-rich currents. The trip out is worth every second. Yellowfin and blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi, swordfish and sailfish are some of what you can catch here.
Explore MoreOUTDOOR EXPERIENCES
No matter how you define adventure, you’ll find it by land, air and sea in North Carolina. Let the quiet calm of bird watching make your heart thunder. Experience the rush of rock climbing. Dive hidden shipwrecks in the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Hike mountain summits with expansive views.
Explore MoreCULINARY
Treat yourself to mouthwatering tastes in settings you’ll want to savor. Sample longtime North Carolina favorites like Lexington barbecue, Calabash seafood or the sodas that were born here. But also save room for locally sourced, newer notables from our distilleries, James Beard Award-nominated chefs and farms.
Explore MoreARTS AND CULTURE
There’s something special about experiencing the arts in the places they took hold. North Carolina is the state where outdoor dramas were born, and the one bluegrass legends called home. It’s also the site of the nation’s oldest folk school and the source of endless inspiration for its largest pottery community.
Explore MoreSPORTS
Welcome to the home of one of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports. UNC-Duke men’s basketball might be a tough ticket, but museums dedicated to both programs welcome fans year-round. Also on the schedule: the Panthers and Hornets in Charlotte, Hurricanes in Raleigh and minor-league baseball teams statewide.
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