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.

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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
A chef-restaurateur who loves the city recommends a noteworthy hike, a hole-in-the-wall taqueria, and a honky tonk.
Seriously, how many James Beard winners and finalists are there in Asheville?!
Creativity and community-led spaces are at the heart of experiencing this city in the Research Triangle.
The Queen City’s recent developments are making it a metropolis for brewmasters and bankers alike.
Pair an island with an inlet town for a beach-to-bay, approved-by-locals week on the Carolina coast.
More than just a chance to get fresh air, people going outdoors more in recent years has helped many heal physically and emotionally when they needed it most. As we return to travel, it’s more important than ever to recreate responsibly and protect public lands for generations to come—so we can have experiences that we truly feel good about.
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.
Discover flourishing historic districts, tantalizing southern cuisine, and easy access to the outdoors.
The history of things now unseen and a future not yet made.