MAIN Travel USA North Carolina

Major North Carolina travel spots include the Great Smoky Mountains, and the scenic Blue Ridge National Parkway, Along the Atlantic shore, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout are also popular summer destinations.

For history buffs, famous historic association with the state include Kitty Hawk where the famous Wright Brothers made the world's first successful powered flight.

More historic associations include the Carl Sandburg home near Hendersonville, and the Old Salem Restoration in Winston-Salem.

And, with North Carolina's varied "from the mountains to the sea" terrain North Carolina wines are a big draw for wine lovers throughout the state along the 42-mile Uwharrie Mountains Wine Trail that begins near Charlotte, NC.

North Carolina's all-natural tourist attractions include stunning vistas in the Great Smoky Mountains
on the NC-Tennessee border, (left); tours of the Blue Ridge National Parkway (middle);
and fun in the sun at Cape Hatteras along the Atlantic seashore.

Kid-friendly North Carolina - Asheboro, Charlotte, Raleigh

The Piedmont region of NC offers the biggest cities and - coincidentally - the biggest kid-friendly attractions in the entire state. Start with the North Carolina Zoo, ("the zoo with lots to do") in Asheboro featuring a Kid's Zone, a play area, and a carousel in addition to a large number of animal and educational exhibits.

Head northeast to Raleigh's Marble Kids Museum for wonderful interactive play time, educational fun, a puppet theater with regular performances for children 1-8, and a full-scale IMAX theater for kids of all ages.

More fun for the whole family begins with an entire day trip to Carowinds, North Carolina's largest theme park in Charlotte offering thrill rides for teens, family rides for toddlers and younger children, live entertainment shows, and Boomerang Bay water park.

2024 North Carolina Events & Festivals

In July, everybody's Scottish at the Scottish Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain.

Just up ahead, check out our 2024 North Carolina travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening throughout the state with dates, locations and official links for more information.

Happy travels!

April 25 - April 28, 2024 -- Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Fayetteville - Check out food vendors, art & craft booths, wine events, a street fair, kids activities, a car & truck show, and free music concerts

June 1, 2024 -- Carolina Beach Music Festival Carolina Beach - Kick back and enjoy live music concerts along the shore.

June 14 - June 15, 2024 -- Rogallo Kite Festival Kitty Hawk - Celebrate summer watching stunt kites, power kites and hang gliders over historic Kitty Hawk incuding kids activities and stunt kite lessons. Bring your kite!

July 11 - July 14, 2024 -- Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games Linville - Come enjoy Scottish music, dancing, foods, costumes, field games and more, plus shop for tartans and kilts in the vendors’ tents.

July 25 - July 28, 2024 -- Folkmoot International Festival Waynesville - Check out a worldwide cultural extravaganza including folk music and dancing from Mexico, Ireland, Japan and more including good old American bluegrass.

Weekends from September 30 - November 19 -- Carolina Renaissance Festival Fairhaven - Chow down on smoked turkey legs (and lots more festival food) along with jousting tournaments, artisan demonstrations, music and dance performances, comedy, magic and circus entertatainment!

also see -> North Carolina Fall Foliage Guide  

North Carolina Beach Guide  |  This Christmas in North Carolina

DID YOU KNOW? North Carolina Travel Fun Facts

Ashville cheer

• Asheville ranks as a favorite U.S. craft beer destination. Beer lovers can tap into 18 breweries, and attend a half a dozen beer festivals held throughout the year.

• Charlotte NC and surroundings have served as backdrops for such movies as The Hunger Games, The Color Purple, Days of Thunder, and Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

• At 210 feet tall, North Carolina's Cape Hatteras boasts the tallest lighthouse in the U.S with 268 cast-iron steps to the top.

• The world's smallest daily newspaper is the Tryon Daily Bulletin with a total readership of 4,500.

• Famous people born in North Carolina include basketball star Michael Jordon, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, singer James Taylor, and actor Andy Griffith.

More information about North Carolina travel & tourism around the Web:

VisitNC.com - Easy, one-stop browsing featuring North Carolina's major attractions, hotels & restaurants statewide, events & festivals, vacation ideas, pictures, travel screensavers, quick facts, maps & weather info.

Charlotte Tourism - Practical & searchable guide to the city offering information on shopping, restaurants & hotels, golf courses, art, culture, sports events, and more.,

Raleigh Travel Guide - Info on Raleigh and Wake County with major and nearby attractions, hotels & restaurants, travel package discounts, plus an excellent Getting There guide with printable maps, driving directions, links to bus & train schedules, airport info.