Thanks to the vast, varied geography and climate of the Southeastern state, North Carolina travel has something for all vacationers. From its flat, swampy Coastal Plain to the Piedmont region to the Blue Ridge Mountains, travel to North Carolina has plenty to offer: from hikes through the mountains to relaxing beach vacation on the coast.
Things Not to Miss in North Carolina
• Plan a trip in the fall to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's the perfect time to take a hike along one of the hundreds of trails and enjoy the region’s amazing fall foliage.
• Asheville is a great destination city if you want to check out the historic Biltmore Estate or sip a craft beer – the city is one of the top small-town brewery cities in the country.
• If you’re using our North Carolina travel guide to plan your beach trip, investigate renting a house on the remote Outer Banks for a truly relaxing, remote beach getaway.
When to Go to North Carolina
Because the state’s climate is affected by altitude, when you visit North Carolina depends entirely on where you are going. The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures mild in the Southern coastal areas, while the cold Labrador Current from the North can make the state’s Northern area quite cold and snowy in winter.
-
An Elusive Emu Named Eno Has Been on the Run in North Carolina for Five Weeks
There’s a stealthy bandit on the loose in North Carolina. It’s got skinny legs, a tiny, pointy head, and no arms.It’s an emu. And it’s currently at... Read More
-
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco's Son and His Bride Studied Abroad in America Together
Royal wedding bells are ringing in Monaco — again!Monaco’s Princess Stéphanie — the youngest daughter of Princess Grace — is getting ready to celebrate... Read More
-
Flight Attendant Gets 5 Stitches After Emotional Support Dog Bites Him
A flight attendant had to get five stitches after being bitten by an emotional support dog during an American Airlines flight, operated by its... Read More
-
The 15 Best Cities in the United States
One would be hard-pressed to find a better-traveled bunch of folks than the readers of Travel + Leisure. You’ve scaled Kilimanjaro and sailed to... Read More
-
Top 10 Resort Hotels in the South
The South is often painted with a broad brush — regarded as a monolithic region of angel oaks, indulgent food, and honeyed accents. But in truth, the... Read More
-
The Top 10 Islands in the Continental U.S.
When it comes to the best islands in the United States, readers gave the East Coast a near-clean sweep on this year’s list. Only one entry on this list... Read More
-
The Ultimate Detox Treatment Exists at This North Carolina Retreat
Every Sunday, Medha Garud tells me, a woman and her husband eat brunch in their kitchen, looking out their window, watching their neighbor do laundry.... Read More
-
8-year-old Boy Rescued After Drifting Half a Mile Out to Sea on a Unicorn Float
An 8-year-old boy was visibly shaken after he was swept out to sea on a unicorn float in North Carolina, reports say.Declan O’Connor, of Ohio, was at... Read More
-
These Are America's Most Endangered Historic Places
Traveling around America should mean, among many things, engaging with its history, culture, and landscape in responsible ways. That’s what makes the... Read More
-
Woman Reunited With Her Dog After It Was Lost on an American Airlines Flight
Traveling with a pet can be a stressful situation, even in the best of circumstances. Most pet owners dread the worst-case-scenario of their precious... Read More
-
The Artist Who Painted Taylor Swift's Butterfly Mural Has More Across the U.S., and They Are Absolutely Gorgeous
Taylor Swift‘s favorite street artist painted a butterfly mural in Nashville to celebrate Swift’s new song “ME!” — but she has dozens more wing walls... Read More
-
Photos of This 'Pollenpocalypse' in North Carolina Are an Allergy-sufferer's Nightmare (Video)
Allergy-sufferers might want to wear a mask for this one. Actually, make that two masks.Sinus-crippling photos of Durham, North Carolina, blanketed in a... Read More
-
North Carolina's Legendary 'Wizard of Oz' Theme Park Is Reopening for a Few Days This Summer — Here's How to Visit
Your chance to see the merry ol’ land of Oz is officially happening this June.According to ABC 11, the infamous Land of Oz, a "Wizard of Oz" theme park... Read More
-
North Carolina's Outer Banks Beaches Are Blanketed in Seashells Following the Government Shutdown
Visitors to the Outer Banks’ most prized shelling locations are discovering an unexpected silver lining to the recent government shutdown: loads and... Read More
-
The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Live in Right Now
You don’t have to empty your savings account to afford city living in America—at least not in these locations.Urban areas offer a gateway to culture or... Read More
