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
HOTELS
Set on 108 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Elk & Embers has seven cabins and tents—and some of the best views around. Best of all: It’s only an hour’s drive from Asheville.
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.
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
This autumn, take in beautiful fall colors from Alaska to the Alps on these picturesque train rides in the U.S. and abroad.
From Alaska to Arkansas, here’s where to go for perfect fall vibes.
You don’t need to go halfway around the world to escape from the stress of daily life.
Skip the views of seemingly endless interstate for an inspiring expanse of blue.
Short coastal stretches, long drives through the desert, and gorgeous natural scenery for hundreds of miles
Here’s some solid advice for taking a solo adventure on the road.
With crowds overrunning the U.S.’s most popular national parks, head to these alternative parks, forests, and natural wonders instead.
Afar’s cofounders spent three days on the ground in the North Carolina mountain town and came back with a reminder of the positive impact travel dollars can have.
The North Carolina mountain town is recovering after Hurricane Helene brought record-breaking floods in late September. Here’s how travelers can support the destination and surrounding areas through tourism this winter and beyond.
Mark our words: 2025 will be the year of crowd-free travel. Here are our picks for the world’s 25 most exciting, lesser-visited destinations to plan a trip to right now.