If you are planning a road trip where you can relax and see more of the world than you would on a beach vacation, North Carolina has loads to offer.
From historic towns to those with superb nightlife and restaurants, mountain ranges, and natural parks, there are so many attractions that you might want to extend your trip once there. Below you will find some of the top destinations for road trippers in North Carolina.
Smoky Mountains
One of the main attractions of North Carolina is the Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee. You can visit Bryson City where you can take part in river rafting and tubing or the Dry Falls of Highlands.
In case you are interested in history, you can visit the Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum in Maggie Valley, or one of the stunning waterfalls in the Highlands and the valleys.
North Carolina Coast
If you are more interested in history and natural beauty, you can visit the Nags Head in Dare County, where you can see the sand dunes and beautiful beaches.
There are plenty of activities available, including bird watching, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and you can even try parasailing or paragliding to see a bird’s eye view of the North Carolina Coast.
Raleigh
One of the hidden gems of the region, Raleigh has dozens of free attractions, plenty of natural science sites and museums, and historic places, too.
If you are looking for entertainment, you might want to try some of the nearby amusement parks. If you arrive with kids, don’t forget to check out the Marbles Kids Museum. You can book a hotel room in Raleigh, North Carolina for a few days, so you have enough time to discover everything.
Wilmington
Wilmington is one of the reasons why the US is great for travelers. It represents everything those on road trips can wish for. Check out the Battleship with daily entertainment, or get active and go on a kayak expedition on North Myrtle Beach.
Little people will love the Cape Fear Serpentarium or the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. If you are interested in nature, you can visit the Sea Turtle Park or the New Hanover County Arboretum.
Charlotte
Offering plenty of amusement parks and called the Queen City, Charlotte is a regional hub for travelers. There are plenty of historic tours available, and petrolheads can check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where they can check out the latest supercars and technologies.
You must visit the Defy Gravity Charlotte, where you can take part in experiments, or check out the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Take the kids to Ray’s Splash Planet on a rainy day.
If you are planning a road trip and would like to get the best of all worlds, you will be able to make the most out of your break in North Carolina. From the latest supercars to amusement parks and natural beauty, there are plenty of things awaiting young and old.