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
What drives the culinary prowess of this award-winning, Asheville-based chef? We caught up with her to learn about the natural wonders she loves in the North Carolina destination she calls home.
Hotels
As Asheville rebuilds after Hurricane Helene, these 12 hotels offer a chance to support the comeback while staying in places that reflect the city’s vibrant energy and resilience.
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.
Stay in one of these stylish campers across the United States.
Plan a getaway to the Blue Ridge Mountains with one of these isolated cabins you can rent in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or Georgia.
Resources to help plan your trip
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.
Pick a podcast, gas up (or charge up), and hit the road for one of these epic drives.
Asheville’s historic strip is buzzing again, with a mix of people and places that bring its remarkable past into the present.
The cities of Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte are innovating a cool future through art, food, and a celebration of the past.
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.
Whether you’re in it for the exercise, the views, or the fun, Black Dome Mountain Sports owner Trent Thomas knows the best hikes.
From a hemp farm with goat yoga to a wedding chapel with vintage clothing for sale, these businesses make Asheville unlike anywhere else.
This North Carolina city stands out with its singular culture—celebrating craft beer and culinary upstarts, artists and free spirits—and a rich history.
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