North Carolina Travel, Tourism & Vacation Getaways: Cities, Destinations: Lodging Accommodations

This North Carolina vacation guide has information on the mountains, the Piedmont, the coast and Outer Banks information has been carefully researched from travel pamphlets gathered from personal travels. The state borders many diverse areas including the Atlantic Ocean and several other states. That gives it a wide range of options in terms of landscape and activities.

North Carolina offers a huge spectrum of interesting things to do and see, from the beaches to the mountains. The scenery is breathtaking all over the state. Fly a kite on a deserted beach or climb a mountain. Snow ski at a ski resort or water ski at one of the many lakes. Go camping, hiking, biking, bird watching, kayaking. Sit by a river and fish all day or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

North Carolina is rich in history and there are plenty of historic landmarks throughout the state to visit. Watch a reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle. Tour Civil War battlefields and museums. Visit a plantation home or discover how the Native American Indians lived over a 100 years ago.

Raleigh is the state's capital. It is named for Sir Walter Raleigh who is credited with colonization of North Carolina. Naturally, there are plenty of historic sites to explore. Tour the Executive Mansion, the State Capital building, the Joel Lane house and other historic buildings. Walk around Raleigh's historic district. Stroll through the gardens. Visit the NC Museum of Art, History or Sciences. Take a picnic to the area's parks. Go kayaking, canoeing or sailing at a nearby lake or on the Neuse River. Watch a motorcross race at the Capitol City Bicycle Motocross Race Track. Enjoy the state fair, an art festival, a Renaissance Faire or other events held every year.

Charlotte is the largest city in the state. Ride a roller coaster at Carowinds Theme park or find out how your body works at Discovery. Explore the Carolina Raptor Center. Visit Latta Plantation, Hezekiah Alexander home site and other historic sites, museums or memorials. Watch a race at NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway. Stroll through the UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens and enjoy the flowers. Attend concerts and sporting events at the Coliseum. Picnic in a park. Enjoy a festival at Freedom Park. Go birdwatching at the Bird Sanctuary. Use the international airport for your next flight or just visit and watch the planes fly in and out. There are also shopping malls, golf courses and other entertaining venues. You can spend a day or a month exploring everything the Charlotte area has to offer.

Asheville is located in the western mountains of the state. It is a beautiful area especially in the Fall of the year. The changing colors of the leaves in Autumn blanket the western mountains drawing thousands of visitors to the area. Asheville is best known for the Biltmore House which is another major tourist attraction. Other attractions include the Grove Park Inn and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many tourists visit to enjoy nature. Go camping, hiking, boating, bird watching. Just thirty three miles northeast from Asheville is Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain on the east coast of the United States. There are some beautiful views from atop of the mountain.

In Cherokee, discover a Cherokee Indian village, tour a museum on the history of the Cherokee Indians or watch the famous Under these hills outdoor drama play. Fish in the best trout streams anywhere or play the slot machines at Harrah's casino. Cherokee is located in the western mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains Park is one of the major attractions in the area. Go hiking, biking, camping. Explore nature. Discover wildlife. Bird watch.

In Hickory, Lenoir or High Point shop for world famous brands of North Carolina furniture. While in the area, explore historic sites and museums. Go camping or boating on a lake. Golf.

Visit the NC State Zoo in Asheboro. Enjoy the day with the kids as you discover wild animals in their natural habitat. Hike five miles of trails. Watch exotic birds in their simulated tropical environment. It is well worth the trip.

On the Coast,  visit the USS North Carolina battleship of World War 2 fame at Wilmington. Take a tour of Fort Macon, an old civil war fort or the Colonial village at Beaufort which is complete with stocks and pillars. Observe sharks and other marine life at the NC aquariums located in 3 different locations: Morehead City, Fort Fisher and Roanoke Island. Attend the oldest outdoor drama, the Lost Colony about the first English settlement in America that disappeared without a trace. Stroll through the Elizabethan Gardens at Roanoke Island. Take a dinner cruise or go dolphin watching. Charter a boat to go fishing in the Gulf Stream. Look for sea shells and sand dollars. Enjoy the sunset or sunrise over the ocean. Find a secluded beach to relax and reflect on the beauty here.

for more cities, destinations and travel information, see NC Tourism site map.