During World War II, the Battleship North Carolina participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific, which earned it 15 battle stars. Today, the restored battleship is moored on the Cape Fear River, across from downtown Wilmington. A National Historic Landmark and memorial, it welcomes visitors to explore its rich history.
Enjoy a day of thrilling rides and fun at Carowinds, the only amusement park to straddle two states. Sitting across the border in both North and South Carolina, Carowinds features more than 60 rides and attractions, including the largest water park in the region, making it an ideal destination for families and thrill seekers alike.
Located in Charlotte, the US National Whitewater Center is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream playground. In addition to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, the outdoor recreation mega-complex offers hiking and biking trails, a rock climbing wall, ropes course, ziplining, and more. It’s also a popular spot for outdoor festivals.
Right off the Blue Ridge Parkway and just minutes south of downtown Asheville, the North Carolina Arboretum is more than 400 acres (160 hectares) of color, showcasing both the native diversity of the region and wild, exotic flora. With gardens, miles of trails, and a gaggle of local reptiles, this is a great spot to while away an afternoon in nature.
Discover a piece of North Carolina's exquisite federal-style architecture at the Historic Rosedale Plantation, built by a renowned architect, Archibald Frew, in 1815. Experience the restored house, vast grounds, and flourishing gardens up close and be immersed in the life of an antebellum plantation, including the lives of the enslaved people there. Don't miss this remarkable masterpiece, just a stone's throw from uptown Charlotte.
The historic retail center opened in 1929 before being taken over by the US government in World War II and later becoming the National Weather Records Center. On the National Register of Historic Places, Grove Arcade was reopened in 2002 after renovation as a shopping center with restaurants, specialty shops, apartments, and offices.
Located between the historic Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods, Freedom Park is considered the Central Park of Charlotte. Spanning 98 acres (40 hectares), this popular park includes a 7-acre (3-hectare) lake, green spaces, walking and biking trails, sporting fields and courts, a demonstration garden, bandshell, and concessions.
While Colorado has Pike’s Peak, North Carolina has Grandfather Mountain. Though the 5,946-foot (1,806-meter) peak would be an attraction enough in itself, Grandfather Mountain also has a mile-high swinging bridge, wildlife experiences, an on-site restaurant, a narrated scenic drive, and much more. Truly, this is one ancient mountain that has become a modern destination for all ages.
Formerly BB&T Ballpark, Charlotte’s Truist Field is one of the best minor-league baseball stadiums in the U.S. Home to the Charlotte Knights, a Triple-A Minor League Baseball team in the International League, the stadium sports some 10,000 seats—both VIP and otherwise—and a hitter-friendly status. With excellent views of the game and the skyline, it’s a fun evening out.
The world changed in 1903 when the Wright brothers took flight at Kill Devil Hills. Though their longest flight was only 15 seconds, they knew then and there that the magic of flight was possible. Today’s Wright Brothers National Memorial marks this moment and honors the subsequent history of aviation, all thanks to this duo from Ohio.
Few museums are as hands-on as the Asheville Pinball Museum, where visitors can literally play the exhibits to their heart’s content. Featuring over 75 classic and modern pinball machines, plus video games, the museum offers a unique pop-culture blend of interactive entertainment and vintage charm. It is a must-visit for ball-popping enthusiasts and families alike.
First lit in 1875, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse is one of the country’s only lighthouses that still displays its original first-order Fresnel lens. The Outer Banks’ northernmost lighthouse, it’s been a long-standing favorite for one main reason: If open, it’s one of the few North Carolina lighthouses where visitors can climb to the top.
With a mission to inspire a love of plants through educational programming, classes, and botanical displays, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens offers year-round splendor. Split between two outdoor gardens and a packed greenhouse the botanical gardens are a perfect spot for a relaxing stroll through the expansive grounds.
Opened in 1992, the Blumenthal Arts Center offers live music, theater, dance, and comedy across three performance spaces: the Belk Theater (the largest venue of the three), the Booth Playhouse, and the Stage Door Theater. Bringing Broadway tours and performers across all genres to the Charlotte area, the Blumenthal Arts Center always has something about to light up the stage.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences as it stands today was opened in April of 2000, though its beginnings date back to 1879. It features two separate buildings, the Nature Exploration Center and the Nature Research Center, which are connected by accessible bridges on the second and third floors.
Located in downtown Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) is one of the capital’s most popular attractions. Boasting more than 4,300 objects from ancient Egypt to the present, the museum is particularly known for its Renaissance and impressionist paintings, as well as its permanent gallery of Jewish art. The NCMA also has an outdoor space covering 164 acres (66 hectares) of trails and art installations, making it the largest museum art park in the country.
Set on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CDI), this may be the only attraction in Charlotte you can visit within a few minutes of retrieving your luggage. Dedicated to the history of aviation in North and South Carolina, the 50-craft collection set in a 40,000-square-foot hangar includes several military and passenger planes. You’ll also find a reproduction of the Wright Brothers original 1903 Wright Flyer, which was flown in nearby Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. You can also explore a detailed exhibit dedicated to airline captain Sully Sullenberger’s miraculous Hudson River landing of US Airways’ Flight 1549; this flight was bound for CDI when it struck a flock of geese. While here, don’t miss an opportunity to climb into the cockpit of a fighter jet or to see the S.56B, one of only two single-engine biplane flying boats in the world. Please note The Carolinas Aviation Museum is currently closed for relocation. The reopening is scheduled for 2022.
Just east of downtown Asheville, Pack Square Park is where the city goes to celebrate, from large-scale festivals to fun weekend markets and events. It’s a lively spot from morning to night, making it a great place to people-watch, enjoy the art and fountains, and chill an afternoon away.
One of the oldest community theaters in the nation, the Asheville Community Theatre has brought locally run performances to western North Carolina since 1946. Producing musicals, comedies, and dramas, ACT has two venues that offer shows year-round, along with offering classes, readings, and special events.
Chug along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) for a scenic train ride through the mountain range shared by the most visited national park in the United States: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From family-themed specials to romantic luxury upgrades, it’s easy to create your perfect train trip through the North Carolina countryside.
Completed in 1861, Bellamy Mansion Museum is one of North Carolina’s best examples of antebellum architecture. The museum includes a main house that spans 10,000 square feet (929 square meters), a carriage house, a two-story slave quarters, and gardens, along with rotating exhibits and special events throughout the year.
Simply put, Asheville’s Folk Art Center is the oldest craft shop in America. Dating back to 1895, the center now showcases the work of some 400 artists and craftspeople, all based in Southern Appalachia. Situated at milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this arts hub is a must-stop for anyone interested in the history of American jewelry, textiles, and pottery.
Thomas Wolfe, one of the Southern United State’s most famous novelists, was born in Asheville. Now known as the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, his childhood home still stands today and is open for tours. The Victorian home showcases Wolfe’s life in Asheville at the turn of the 20th century when both the city and the man were still in the making.
Located along Bradley Creek in Wilmington, Airlie Gardens is an enchanting southern garden featuring a freshwater lake, historic structures, walking paths, and artwork. The historic 67-acre (21-hectare) site hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, ranging from gardening-themed talks to exhibitions.
Home to hundreds of vintage motorcycles and cars, the Wheels Through Time Museum takes visitors on a journey through 80 years of American transport history. Aptly located off the popular motorcycle route Blue Ridge Parkway, the rare collection is arranged to replicate a traditional garage for an immersive experience.
At the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets in Charlotte lies Independence Square, a focal point of the city that features a public art display. Erected in 1995 and completed by American sculptor Raymond Kaskey, the square hosts four, 24-foot-high bronze figures that personify Charlotte’s past and future.
Connect with nature at Discovery Place Nature in Charlotte. Located next to Freedom Park, this interactive and educational museum features nature trails, live animals, a butterfly pavilion, hands-on exhibits and activities, and a range of shows and programs, offering a fun and educational day out for the whole family.
The idea for the Downtown Asheville Arts District took shape when newly opened locally owned businesses contributed to the revitalization of downtown Asheville in the 1990s. It was formalized in 1999 when a group of art galleries established the Downtown Gallery Association, often called DAAD. Today, more than 20 galleries and museums are part of the DAAD.
A nature-filled respite just a mile from Uptown Charlotte lies the quiet Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary. Designed and cared for by a married couple with a passion for ornithology, Elizabeth and Edwin O. Clarkson transformed their home and backyard into a lush and always-verdant bird sanctuary.
In many places, the term “dry falls” refers to a waterfall that’s no longer—but that’s not the case in North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest. The 75-foot (22-meter) Dry Falls tumbles proudly over a cliff, which visitors can walk behind and still stay dry. One of the state’s more popular waterfalls, this easy-access spot is as romantic as it is striking and scenic.
