North Carolina Travel Guide

A crossroads of the Old South and New South, North Carolina is one of the biggest surprises in the Southeastern United States. The Tar Heel State charms its guests with a mix of hip urbanism and rural tradition that’s unmatched anywhere along the East Coast.

Outdoor enthusiasts and hipsters alike will love Asheville, North Carolina’s most compelling destination. The popular Blue Ridge Mountain city teems with craft breweries, top-notch restaurants, and spectacular nature knocking at its door. Cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham offer a similarly chill & liberal vibe, surprising for a region known for its deep conservatism.

From driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina to lazing on Atlantic barrier islands, plan your ultimate trip with this North Carolina travel guide.

Where to go in North Carolina

Asheville

Need a primer for your North Carolina trip? Start with the exciting city of Asheville. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, Asheville is the state’s most interesting place to visit. It’s a favorite destination for outdoor adventurers and culture seekers alike.

History buffs will love roaming through Asheville’s historic downtown. A walk along the city’s Urban Trail uncovers the city’s beautiful Art Deco, Neo-Classical, and Neo-Gothic architecture. The downtown also teems with monuments to Asheville’s most famous residents, including author Thomas Wolfe.

Asheville

Outside of the city center, slip back into the late-19th century at the Biltmore Estate. Built by George Vanderbilt, the estate’s home is the largest former private residence in the US. Spend time exploring the home and wandering around its gardens & forests to get the full experience.

In between your adventure, grab a seat and sip some of America’s finest craft beers at Asheville’s breweries. The city is famed for its craft beer scene, offering the most breweries per capita than any city in the United States. (Asheville’s nickname, Beer City USA, is quite fitting!)

On your Asheville trip, save time to explore its outskirts. Not far from the city, you can enjoy some of the state’s finest nature. Slip into the deep woods of Pisgah National Forest or catch a sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains at Mount Mitchell State Park.

Ready to plan your trip to Asheville? Get started with these Asheville travel tips & resources!

Charlotte

Next to Asheville, no urban destination belongs on your North Carolina wishlist more than Charlotte. With 2.6 million people in its metro area, Charlotte is the state’s biggest city. And for travelers, it’s full of interesting things to see & do.

In Charlotte’s compact downtown (officially called Uptown), modern skyscrapers hide tech offices, museums, and hip restaurants. By day, peruse top-notch museums like the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art or the Mint Museum. By night, imbibe in craft beers & cocktails at Charlotte’s swanky rooftop bars and patios.

Charlotte

Besides Uptown, Charlotte is jam-packed with cool neighborhoods to explore. Scoot east of Uptown to Plaza Midwood to thumb through boutiques and chow down at trendy restaurants.

Or head further afoot to NoDa (North Davidson), Charlotte’s arts & entertainment district. In the hip district, former textile mills house art galleries, craft breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to get acquainted with Charlotte’s eclectic food & drink scene.

Ready to plan your trip to Charlotte? Get started with these Charlotte travel tips & resources!

Raleigh

With Asheville and Charlotte in the mix, Raleigh doesn’t get as much attention from urban wanderers on North Carolina itineraries. Nonetheless, as the state’s capital and second-biggest city, Raleigh is worth a swing through.

Although founded in 1792, Raleigh leans more toward modern than historical. Sure, you’ll scope out handsome historic buildings like the North Carolina State Capitol, built in 1796. Even more compelling, though, are the city’s restaurants and museums, like the popular North Carolina Museum of Art.

Raleigh

After you’ve explored the city’s main attractions in the heart of downtown, slink to the outskirts. The Raleigh area is peppered with incredible nature parks, greenways, and cycling & hiking trails.

On your Raleigh visit, don’t miss the 6,000-acre William B. Umstead State Park. Featuring 35 miles of hiking & biking trails, kayaking, and fishing, the state park is one of the best escapes from the urban core. It’s located just 15 minutes from the center of town.

Ready to plan your trip to Raleigh? Get started with these travel tips & resources!

Wilmington

Not to be confused with its Delaware namesake, Wilmington is one of the North Carolina coast’s best urban escapes. Like other Southeast USA coastal cities like Savannah and Charleston, Wilmington blends history with its waterfront charms. It’s a good place to catch a sea breeze for a day or two—especially if continuing up the Atlantic coast into the Northeast USA.

Riverwalk in Wilmington, NC

Wilmington is most known as a gateway to the nearby Cape Fear beaches. But there’s plenty to experience in the city itself. Take a stroll along the Riverwalk, running two miles along the banks of the Cape Fear River. Rest at one of its riverside cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy a great meal and cold drink to beautiful river views.

After exploring Wilmington’s Historic District, head east of town to explore the azalea-soaked Airlie Gardens, or suck in Atlantic sea breezes along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. The seaside boardwalk is one of the few remaining along the East Coast and one of the USA’s best.

Ready to plan your trip to Wilmington? Get started with these travel tips & resources!

Boone

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway northward to Shenandoah National Park? Rest your legs in the lively mountain town of Boone. Named after American pioneer Daniel Boone, the town is famed for its bluegrass and Appalachian folklore. Next to Asheville, Boone is the most interesting town in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Boone

The heart of Downtown Boone beats around King Street. In the historic center, you’ll dazzle at handsome buildings ranging in styles from Colonial Revival to Art Deco. Roam around the downtown to experience Boone’s shopping & dining scene, catering to its large student population.

Besides its charming town center and surrounding nature escapes, Boone is famous for its “Horn in the West” performance. Running since 1952, the settler story takes place every summer in Daniel Boone Park.

Ready to plan your trip to Boone? Get started with these travel tips & resources!

Black Mountain

While often visited as a day trip from Asheville, Black Mountain is worth a stop on its own on your North Carolina trip. Like its larger sibling 25 minutes west, Black Mountain boasts a charming downtown and a thriving arts & crafts scene. And from its perch, the mountain town has got plenty to get outdoor adventurers excited, too.

Lake Tomahawk in Black Mountain, NC

Urban explorers will love grazing through the town’s art galleries and boutique shops. Refresh yourself in between with cold beers at its craft breweries and a meal at its hip restaurants. The real treat of visiting Black Mountain, though, lies just beyond.

Venture to nearby Montreat to tackle the Greybeard Trail. Climbing 4.8 miles to the peak of Greybeard Mountain, the challenging trail ends with spectacular views over the Black Mountains.

Durham

Although part of Raleigh’s metro area, Durham is a superb North Carolina travel destination all to its own. The pleasant city of over 280,000 is most renowned as the home of Duke University and its famous Blue Devils. With its 17,000 students and 37,000 employees, the university’s transformed the city itself into a bastion of arts & culture.

Durham

Throughout the city, you’ll also stumble upon cool art galleries, museums, and historical sites like the American Tobacco Historic District. In the former tobacco complex, old industrial buildings have been converted into trendy restaurants, bars, and theaters. Spend an evening enjoying the city’s coveted culinary scene here to get the full Durham experience.

Ready to plan your trip to Durham? Get started with these travel tips & resources!

Greensboro

Although it’s the state’s third-biggest city, Greensboro doesn’t land on trip itineraries as often as NC’s other main cities. Nonetheless, for both outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs, Greensboro has more than enough to keep you occupied for a few days.

Greensboro

Greensboro is perhaps most well-known as a battleground during the American Revolution War. Military history devotees will love Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. The park hosts lively reenactments of the area’s most seminal battles.

If you’re into the outdoors, Greensboro is also a great base for exploring North Carolina’s wilderness. Greensboro anchors the Piedmont Triad region, wedged between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Ready to plan your trip to Greensboro? Get started with these travel tips & resources!

Other travel destinations in North Carolina

  • Bryson City
  • Blowing Rock
  • Hendersonville
  • Beaufort
  • Nags Head
  • Chapel Hill
  • Roanoke Island
  • Hatteras Island
  • Ocracoke Island

When to visit North Carolina

The best time to visit North Carolina is anytime between spring and autumn. Between spring and autumn, you’ll enjoy the year’s best weather—from sunny skies to warm temperatures.

Starting in March and April, North Carolina goes into full bloom. Throughout the state, you’ll dazzle at vibrant azaleas and dogwood blossoms.

Quilt Garden at North Carolina Arboretum

Late September and early October also bring a flurry of color to North Carolina. In fall, hit up the Blue Ridge Mountains to see the blazing autumn colors at their finest.

Summer is also a popular time to travel in North Carolina if a little crowded. In the interior, summer temperatures rise as high as the 90s. In the mountains and along the coast, it’s more tolerable with average temperatures in the high 70s.

How to get to North Carolina

By air

North Carolina is home to four international airports and several smaller regional airports. The busiest airport in the state is Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT), serving the Charlotte area. The airport is the second-biggest hub for American Airlines. It offers excellent connections to both U.S. and international destinations.

By road

North Carolina is well-connected to the neighboring states of Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. Popular driving routes into North Carolina include:

  • Nashville, TN, to Asheville: 4h33m
  • Myrtle Beach, SC, to Wilmington: 1h33m
  • Norfolk, VA, to Raleigh: 2h52m
  • Atlanta, GA, to Charlotte: 4h4m
Treksplorer

Ryan O'Rourke is a seasoned traveler and the founder & editor of Treksplorer, a fiercely independent guide to mid-range luxury travel for busy people. With over 20 years of extensive travel experience, Ryan has journeyed through over 50 countries, uncovering hidden gems and sharing firsthand, unsponsored insights on what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay. Backed by his travel experience and in-depth research, Ryan’s travel advice and writing has been featured in publications like the Huffington Post and Matador Network. You can connect with Ryan on Twitter/X at @rtorourke.