A trip to Things to Do in North Carolina is a rare combination of exciting mountain adventures and relaxing days spent on its beautiful beaches, where you can do various things in North Carolina. Whether you want to reach the oldest dune on the Atlantic coast, visit Orville and the first flight of Wilbur Wright, or stroll around the favourite Scenic Drive of America, North Carolina has something to offer everyone.
It has beautiful coasts and stunning mountains, so you’ll have to plan strategically to explore as much as possible and take advantage of everything to do in North Carolina.
In this blog post, we will be exploring the top things to do in North Carolina, so pack your bags and explore together:
12 Best Things to Do in North Carolina 2024
1. The Biltmore Estate
It is a private home in Asheville, the largest private estate in the United States, and one of the top attractions. It is also a part of Things to Do in North Carolina. Every corner of the mansion exudes an unmistakable essence of royalty.
It is situated in the center of 8000 acres of amazing grounds and has 250 rooms, each containing impressive artwork and antique items. After visiting the mansion, you must see the beautiful farms and gardens. Visiting Biltmore Estate is one of the must-have things to do in North Carolina.
- Location: Asheville, NC 28803, United States
- Website: https://www.biltmore.com/
- Timing: 8:30 am–5:30 pm (Sun-Sat)
- Google Maps: Get Direction
2. Battleship USS North Carolina
During World War II, the USS North Carolina joined the American Fleet and was the first of ten battleships to join the American Fleet. As everyone would expect, the vessel is well-armed and has 29 guns in different sizes and shapes, although all are a formidable sight.
Now retired, the ship is made available for tours, including access to the officer’s quarters and the mess hall. However, the upper deck does not allow viewing of the powerful weapons for safety.
- Location: 1 Battleship Rd NE, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Website: https://battleshipnc.com/
- Timing: 8 am–5 pm (Mon-Sat)
- Google Maps: Get Direction
3. Blue Ridge Parkway
Known as “America’s favourite drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway was envisioned by landscape architect Stanley Abbott not just as a link between Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park and North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park but as a journey that offers passengers unforgettable memories through its scenic hiking trails—a quintessential North Carolina experience.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has great scenery and is home to several museums and visitor centres. In the summer and autumn, Mabry Mill has displays that include grinding corn in the original mill, the art of blacksmithing, and cutting boards in the sawmill.
- Location: United States
4. Morehead Planetarium
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center opened in 1949 and has hosted seven million guests. It is situated in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina and guarantees to entertain with numerous daily shows.
The educational shows are enriched with fascinating information, such as exploring different constellations and planets in the night sky. It is the only place where you will find learning fun; hence, it is the top thing to do in North Carolina.
- Location: 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States
- Website: http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/
- Timing: 10 am–4:30 pm (Tue-Sat)
- Google Maps: Get Direction
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5 . Beaches of the Outer Banks
Renowned for its stunning beaches, this extensive chain of barrier islands spans 200 miles. The coast is lined up with miles of soft sand, fascinating many visitors, especially during the summer.
The Outer Banks are especially popular among families and children. Popular destinations include beach towns such as Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Avon. Some towns, like Nags Head, have more hotels and resorts, but many people prefer to rent a cottage or the whole beach house for their beach vacation as per their budget.
That’s why you must check out beaches here for things to do in North Carolina.
- Location: North Carolina
- Google Maps: Get Direction
6. Waterfalls in North Carolina
The mountains in North Carolina have many beautiful waterfalls, most of which are easy to reach with a short walk or hike. Some waterfalls can be combined with visits to small mountain towns and other interesting things to do in North Carolina. If you’re into exploring waterfalls and hiking, two good options for staying a few nights are Asheville or Hendersonville.
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Linville Gorge is the deepest and most scenic gorge in the eastern United States. It’s in the Pisgah National Forest, where the Linville River enters the gorge at Linville Falls, dropping 90 feet. Afterward, the river flows for 12 miles amidst steep rock walls. That’s why it is the top attraction for things to do in North Carolina.
- Location: North Carolina 28657, USA
- Google Maps: Get Direction
7. Downhill Skiing
North Carolina has five ski resorts that fascinate people who love skiing and snowboarding to their great slopes. These resorts are spread out across the mountain regions, each having its unique atmosphere. The largest ski resorts are Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain, both close to the charming town of Banner Elk. These resorts are at elevations exceeding 5,000 feet and are well-placed to catch any snow storms heading toward things to do in North Carolina.
Appalachian Ski Mountain is near the delightful mountain town of Blowing Rock, often called just App locally. This resort is famous for its three terrain parks, considered the best in the state.
8. Wilmington
The nice city of Wilmington is one of the best coastal things to do in North Carolina. Its old brick streets have buildings from the 19th century, making it a great place to wander around without a specific plan. You can go to any cool restaurant for a break if you get hungry or thirsty.
Wilmington is on the Cape Fear River and has made the most of its great location. Walk along the Wilmington Riverwalk, where there’s much to do, like an IMAX theatre, unique restaurants, and museums.
If you like museums and cultural events, you’re lucky. Explore the latest exhibition at the Cameron Art Museum or delve into local history at the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. The Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts regularly hosts musicians, comedians, and other performers; check their website to see what’s happening when you’re in town.
Wilmington isn’t just about city adventures; it’s also a great place to go to the beach. Some of North Carolina’s best beaches, like Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, are nearby. In these areas, you’ll discover soft sand, warm summer waters, and ample opportunities for water sports such as surfing and kiteboarding. All these things in Wilmington, North Carolina, make it attractive and famous.
- Location: North Carolina, USA
- Google Maps: Get Direction
9. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Focused on the natural history of North Carolina, this museum is the state’s oldest. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences includes two buildings: the Nature Exploration Center and the Nature Research Center. Both things to do in North Carolina include exhibits, hands-on learning experiences, and educational presentations.
Next door, the Nature Research Center focuses on the science and exploration crucial for understanding the natural world. The exhibits cover everything from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to exploring deep space, including studying small things like DNA to large-scale topics like weather patterns.
- Location: 415 S Madison St, Whiteville, NC 28472, United States
- Website: https://naturalsciences.org/visit/whiteville
- Timing: 10 am–4 pm (Tuesday -Friday)
- Google Maps: Get Direction
10. North Carolina Aquarium
If you love to see Fisheries, then things to do in North Carolina also have an Aquarium. The North Carolina Aquarium has locations at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher, and Jennette’s Pier. While Jennette’s Pier is not classified as an aquarium, visitors can observe marine animals such as humpback whales there. (Ask the aquarium about the marine life you might spot during your visit.)
The Roanoke Island spot, near Jennette’s Pier, has the most sharks in the state. At Pine Knoll Shores, you can learn about the different marine animals and things to do in North Carolina, while Fort Fisher shows off the freshwater streams, swamps, and open ocean of Cape Fear.
- Location: 900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449, United States
- Website: http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
- Timing: 9 am–5 pm (Mon -Sun)
- Google Maps: Get Direction
11. North Carolina Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is a super cool place for families, with 1,600 animals and 52,000 plants. They feature African animals, including elephants, lions, and giraffes, and North American animals, such as cougars, alligators, and bears.
The zoo makes the exhibits look like the animals’ natural homes. One of the most exciting times at the zoo is feeding time for the animals. You can check the schedule online to take advantage of it during your visit to things to do in North Carolina. In addition to the animals, there are hiking trails in the nearby forests where you can walk your dog on a leash.
Kids can ride on the Endangered Species Carousel for fun if they need a break. And if they’ve got too much energy, there’s a big playground called Garden Friends and an Air Hike Ropes Course where they can climb.
- Location: 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205, United States
- Website: http://www.nczoo.org/
- Timing: 9 am–5 pm (Mon-Sun)
- Google Maps: Get Direction
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12. Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park, with its tall mountain, is just 25 miles southeast of Asheville. It’s a 315-foot granite spire that goes up more than 2,280 feet. But don’t worry about climbing it alone – a 26-story elevator inside the mountain makes it easy for tourists to reach the top. The same park has a trail called Hickory Nut Falls Trail.
It’s a pretty easy, mostly flat path that takes you to the bottom of the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls. This waterfall is cool, falling from a flat ledge down a red-rock face and disappearing into the trees below.
- Location: 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720, United States
- Website: http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/
- Timing: 8:30 am–5:30 pm (Sun-Sat)
- Google Maps: Get Direction
