Ready to hear about the coolest things to do in North Carolina? Whether you’re craving some beachfront bliss, mountain magic, or urban adventures, NC’s got it all.
Since North Carolina is our home state, we feel pretty good about calling ourselves experts. We think it is one of the best places for the top adventures!
North Carolina is quite the hotspot, drawing in around 50 million visitors each year. Here in Beaufort, NC, we like the off-season when tourists are not around, but we do appreciate those who love our little coastal town.
Ready to join the ranks of those exploring the beauty of North Carolina?
Our List of the Coolest Things to Do in North Carolina
Get ready to spice up your wanderlust game and discover why NC is the ultimate playground for those who live life on the adventurous side!
NC Baseball
We recently wrote about NC Minor League Baseball and our great affection for it. From crazy, cartoony mascots to ballpark food, beer, and all things in between. A summer night at your local ballpark is a great way to spend time with your family and friends. Also, Major League Baseball is ready to expand to 32 teams soon. Charlotte is considered one of the front-runners.
This would bring our already rich baseball history into a whole new era. Since baseball in NC is usually something enjoyed in the summer months, plan your trip accordingly.
Live Music in NC
One of my favorite pastimes in NC is attending live music events at iconic music venues. From the Orange Peel in Asheville to the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro (right outside of Chapel Hill) there is a good time to be had. In our larger metro areas such as Raleigh, you can have the best time at the Lincoln Theatre.
We’d be remiss if we did not talk about enjoying the small-town feel of Beaufort, North Carolina’s Backstreet Pub. It isn’t a rarity to catch a gig of an upcoming big act at one of these venues. Elvis Presley played at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte before he became “The King”.
Chapel Hill boasts a reputation as an indie music hub. Cat’s Cradle, its flagship venue, has served as a launching pad for many indie rock acts such as R.E.M. and Nirvana.
Wineries and Vineyards Around the State of NC
North Carolina has what is believed to be one of the oldest grapevines in North America. The vine was most likely planned by early settlers of the Lost Colony around 400 years ago. This made for a thriving wine production in North Carolina until prohibition put the breaks on everything in the early 1900s.
Decades of slow growth took place afterward until the boom of the mid-2000s. Since then, North Carolina wineries have thrived once again, now boasting over 200 wineries, scattered throughout the state.
A wonderful day can be spent not only touring but sampling these wonderful wines. You can read more about the Best Wineries in North Carolina to visit, according to us.
NC Breweries
If wine isn’t your thing, check out North Carolina breweries. NC ranks in the top 20 of states with the most breweries with 392 in all. These can be found from the Outer Banks, all the way across the state in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The industry caught on after a 1985 law made it legal for a brewpub to exist in North Carolina.
After the passing of a 2005 “pop the cap” law allowing more than 6% alcohol in a malt beverage, the industry boomed. It was then brought to its wildly popular status of today.
If you are looking for some brewpubs in Western North Carolina, check out Breweries & Biltmore. You can even find out more about the Biltmore Estate and some of the best things to do in that area. We will share more about this area in the NC Mountains section.
Try the Boos and Booze Tour in Asheville to learn more about the pubs in a fun way!
Metro Areas of North Carolina
North Carolina’s metro areas are growing, and prospering, and show no signs of slowing down. Charlotte is by far the most populous of NC cities. It offers a little bit of everything. One of its biggest attractions is the Charlotte Motor Speedway. While you are in the NASCAR frame of mind, you can visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Raleigh is the second most populated part of the Triangle area, including Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary. It is less of a big city than Charlotte and known more for its collegiate atmosphere and athletics.
Needless to say, if you are fortunate enough to score tickets between the nationally known rivals, Duke Blue Devils and UNC Tarheels, you should go. It is one of the coolest things to do in North Carolina. It is on many bucket lists.
Raleigh has cool things for visitors of all ages. It is home to many museums. Some of the faves are the North Carolina Museum of Art. This can also be listed under music venues. It is where Shannon and I had many dates, viewing outdoor concerts such as Los Lobos.
Greensboro and Winston Salem come in next in population. The International Civil Rights Center in Greensboro is a National Historic Landmark. It memorializes the brave “Greensboro 4” who spearheaded the Civil Rights sit-in movement. The museum is housed in two historic buildings: one being the F.W. Woolworth building with the lunch counter still exists today, only as an exhibit.
Winston Salem is one of the best places to start your Yadkin Valley winery tour.
NC Beaches
NC has some of the best beaches on the East Coast and happens to be the place we call home. There is a wide variety of things to see on the NC coastline.
There are 300 miles of barrier island beaches. These are mostly referred to as the Outer Banks. In this area, you can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Take a drive from Kitty Hawk to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and climb the lighthouse.
South of the OBX region, you have the Crystal Coast and the Topsail area. Along the Crystal Coast, Beaufort, North Carolina should be your home base. In our town, the legend of Blackbeard begins. It seems to intertwine through most of the coastal regions. Drive to Pine Knoll Shores to visit the NC Aquarium.
Further south is Wilmington, a university town, also referred to as the “Hollywood of the East” because of its movie and TV production studios. If you can score being an extra on a film in NC, then you have officially done one of the coolest things in North Carolina.
Fun fact: Shannon was an extra on Dawson’s Creek and a film called The Jackal starring Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, and Sidney Poitier.
From Wilmington, drive down to Fort Fisher. It’s the perfect place for a picnic and another NC Aquarium.
Whether you are a fisherman, surfer, or just someone who enjoys soaking up the sun, the NC coast is hard to beat.
NC Mountains
It’s hard to mention NC beaches without mentioning its western counterpart, the North Carolina Mountains. This is the perfect launching pad for anyone who loves outdoor adventures. You can go hiking at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a great place to hop onto the Appalachian Trail for your expedition to Maine.
Mount Mitchell’s Summit, located in the Black Mountain Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
The High County region features Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls. The Linville Gorge including Linville Cavers is a unique experience. Asheville offers arts, dining, and craft breweries. It is also home to the famous Biltmore Estate.
The perfect Grandfather Mountain Getaway includes seeing live animals such as black bears, cougars, and bald eagles. It’s a haven for nature lovers!
The NC Mountains offer much outdoor recreation with options such as snow skiing, cycling, rock climbing, and camping. If your ideal adventure is more indoors, consider a day at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. The Cherokee area offers plenty of fun things to do.
You can find some of the best places to stay in the NC mountains to plan your trip to this area.
Visit North Carolina for the Coolest Things to Do
As you can see, North Carolina offers popular attractions, special events, historic sites, and adventures off the beaten path. You can create your own list of the coolest things to do in North Carolina by visiting our state for your next travel adventure.
We may be biased, but it is one of the coolest places in the United States.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Listen, we are vegetarians in Eastern NC which is a little odd in NC but whatever. North Carolina takes its BBQ seriously. There’s a friendly rivalry between vinegar-based vs. tomato-based. There are plenty of vegetarian options, too, and you can dive into the rivalry if you’d like.
Check out charming spots like Asheville in the mountains or Beaufort on the coast- that is where we live! Each has its own vibe and treasures to explore. If you’re into Mayberry and Andy Griffith, you can visit the real-life place: Mount Airy.
Well, it depends on your vibe! Spring and fall offer milder weather, while summer is perfect for beach lovers. Winter in the mountains? Cozy and scenic. We have all four seasons in NC, and each one has its own adventures!
