If you are looking for the best North Carolina vacation spots, you have come to the right place! Being North Carolina natives, we feel like we have a pretty good grasp on the place. If you have already booked your visit, be sure to check out the Coolest Things to Do in North Carolina.
The Best North Carolina Vacation Spots
If you are planning a getaway and considering somewhere with a rich history and a wide variety of outdoor activities, North Carolina is a great place to visit. With its mountains and picturesque beaches, this state offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history aficionado or simply seeking relaxation, North Carolina has it all.
Here are our top North Carolina vacation spots to add to your travel list.
Foothills of NC
Just on the edge of the North Carolina mountains are the foothills. An often overlooked area for the big hills, the foothills are the hidden gem of Western North Carolina. The charm of places like Lenoir or Hickory is missed when people just use the small-town drive-through route, heading to places like the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Don’t get us wrong, we love the mountains of North Carolina but taking in the natural beauty of the foothills, cannot be missed. Check out more on the experience of Foothills NC and see why it is a popular destination for those who know! If you know, you know. Be like the locals and check out the foothills of North Carolina.
Once you have spent some time in this area, head to Blowing Rock. You can then take the Blue Ridge Parkway to the very cool City of Asheville and visit the Biltmore Estate. People come from all over the United States to drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
You can find the perfect pulling-off space to get some of the best panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ve done this before and found the pull-offs are the perfect place for picnic areas while you relax on your drive.
Read more on the best places to stay in the NC Mountains.
The Outer Banks, NC
The Outer Banks, a cluster of barrier islands, along the coastline offers a beach retreat for anyone who wants to get off the grid a bit. With stretches of sandy shores and quaint towns like Nags Head and Kitty Hawk, it’s a perfect destination for a family vacation, romantic couples’ getaway, and solo adventurers.
Don’t miss Manteo, home of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. A bucket list experience is going to see the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama.
The North Carolina Outer Banks is a great place to see wild horses while climbing a few lighthouses like Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Walking trails are throughout the town throughout the OBX (Outer Banks).
You won’t want to miss the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. You will see why it is the most visited national park in our state. Keep your eyes peeled! We have seen black bears on the drive through the Outer Banks before. Some people only ever see Black Bears in the mountains, but Eastern North Carolina and even the Outer Banks are appealing to the bears.
Raleigh, NC
We’re from Raleigh, so it is sort of odd to talk about it being the perfect vacation spot, but we know it has an allure that really should not be missed. Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital city is a mix of historical sites, beautiful scenery, and an excellent place to make your hub. If you stay in Raleigh, just about anywhere is a short drive to experience the state of NC.
Raleigh appeals to those who want a unique experience of having easy access to greenway trails, hiking, and city life all in one place! It has wonderful museums, parks, and some of the top dining experiences in the state. You can fly into Raleigh-Durham International Airport, stay in the city, and make your plans to venture to the numerous surrounding areas across the state.
Looking for transportation from the RDU airport, we love this airport private transfer.
Wilmington, NC
Wilmington offers charm with its downtown area and picturesque riverfront providing a perfect setting for relaxation. It is conveniently located near some of North Carolina’s beaches like Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. We both went to UNC-Wilmington so we know how amazing this town is. It’s most definitely a college town, but taking in the downtown sites near the Cape Fear River is truly like none other.
You can enjoy a stroll along the scenic riverwalk. Stop at local boutiques and shops, eateries, and historical landmarks. Don’t miss out on touring the Battleship North Carolina that sits across the rover. Not only is it a really cool thing to do, but you get a view of downtown Wilmington t. Wrightsville Beach: a drive away ideal, for surfing, swimming, and soaking up the sun.
Beaufort, NC
We’d be remiss if we did not talk about our own little town of Beaufort, NC. By the way, the North Carolina Beaufort is pronounced, “BO-fort.” The South Carolina Beaufort is pronounced, “BEW-fort.”. These are two different places that are often confused for being the same town.
Beaufort is where we opted to move to when we sold everything to move to the coast. Our island small town, though we know is a big attraction in the summer months, offers a getaway without being too touristy. Our area offers beautiful beaches, the coziest coffee shops, and a plethora of special events like the Pirate Invasion weekend. It is where Blackbeard lived in the 1700’s.
In fact, with all of the historic sites that Beaufort offers, one of the biggest attractions is the Hammock House, where Blackbeard lived while in our town. The house is privately owned, so you cannot go inside, but the town itself is steeped in pirate history, which is really cool at night!
We are also very close to Pine Knoll Shores, which is where you can visit the NC Aquarium. This aquarium also tends to hurt or stranded sea turtles from the Atlantic Ocean.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Beaufort, when we were visitors, not residents, we loved The Inlet Inn as well as the Windsor House.
North Carolina Offers Great Vacation Spots
As you can see, North Carolina offers a variety of vacation spots, each exuding its own charm and attractions. It’s perfect for history buffs, the nature lover, cultural enthusiasts, and just about anyone else. If you plan it right, you can experience the North Carolina Coast and Grandfather Mountain, all in just a couple of days! Many of these adventures make for great road trips for couples.
So pack your bags. Embark on an adventure exploring the best things about our wonderful state of North Carolina!
Notable mention: Pittsboro, NC is a great place to spend the day if you are driving toward or from the Western part of the state. You can read more about it on our blog post on Pittsboro.
One other notable mention- if you find yourself driving through Eastern North Carolina, make a stop in Wilson, NC to the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. It is well worth the stop.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
The largest city is Charlotte, NC. It’s a city that offers a lot, including an International Airport, easily accessible from folks in the western part of the state.
NC has a few theme parks, the largest for thrill rides being Carowinds. There are others like Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Point Water Park, and Tweetsie Railroad that also offer amusement rides.
As big Duke fans, we will never refer Chapel Hill. Ok, seriously, Chapel Hill is cool, known to be the college town of UNC with some great small music venues along Franklin Street. It offers some fun bars and Tarheel vibes that will either be super annoying to you, or you will love!
