North Carolina is filled with places to visit, enough to satisfy anyone's tastes.
North Carolina is a state with opportunities at every turn. If a person feels a desire to visit the coast, eastern North Carolina offers peaceful shorelines. If one prefers visiting mountains, western North Carolina offers beautiful views from along the Blue Ridge mountains. In between the western mountains and eastern coastline lies everything from the North Carolina zoo to the state capitol in Raleigh or the transportation museum in Spencer, along with hundreds of golf courses throughout the state. North Carolina is divided into three main regions: the Coastal region, Piedmont region, and the Mountain region. Below is a short guide to traveling through each of them.
The Coastal region of North Carolina boasts beautiful shorelines, but more than just beaches draw visitors. Cape Hatteras, the nation's tallest lighthouse, can be found along the coast. Perhaps one of the most well known pieces of history the state's coast is known for is the famous Wright brothers flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903. You might also try visiting Wilmington, in the south east portion of the state, where, among other tourist spots, you can visit the Battleship North Carolina, which played an important role in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. For a small admission price, you can tour the ship, see what her crew saw on a daily basis as they protected freedom. North Carolina also has three state aquariums, located at Fort Fisher near Wilmington, Pine Knoll Shores, and Roanoke Island. You can catch a glimpse of ocean life, from sharks to turtles. Fort Fisher is a great visit for Civil War buffs as well, as it was the last major stronghold of the Confederacy, keeping the port of Wilmington open for Confederate forces until the last few months of the war. When it fell, it helped seal the fate of the Confederate cause.
The Piedmont region is also called the central region. Most of the state's largest cities are found in the Piedmont region, including Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and the state capital of Raleigh. The zoo is located in Asheboro, almost in the geographical center of the state. A variety of animals and exhibits will thrill, excite, and enchant you, from zebras to gorillas to polar bears and everything in between. If you enjoy history, a variety of Revolutionary War battlegrounds can be found in the Piedmont region, as well as a historic Moravian village called Old Salem, where you will be able to watch candles made, take a carriage ride, and stroll through a time long gone. If food is what you are after, stop by Lexington, a town at one time known for its furniture, that now boasts barbecued pork as its claim to fame. An annual barbecue festival is held every year, drawing nearly 100,000 visitors to the small town. There are always rides, well-known singers performing toe-tapping music, and of course, all the barbecue you could want.
The Mountain region also has its share of attractions, from the gorgeous Autumn leaves that blanket the mountain sides, to the Biltmore House, located in Asheville. The Biltmore House and Estate was owned by George Vanderbilt, and the house is America's largest privately owned home. Tour the gardens, the stables, or stroll through the two hundred and fifty rooms in the house itself. Linger along the back of the house, and view the mountains. Horseback riding along with other outdoor activities are offered, and at Christmas time, the house is decorated in grand style for the holiday. For history enthusiasts, you can visit the town of Cherokee, in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, where the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians make their home. You can see ceremonial dances, walk through the streets, or watch "Unto These Hills," an outdoor drama about the Trail of Tears. If you would prefer hiking through the mountains, try Grandfather Mountain, where you can get a fabulous view from the "Mile High Swinging Bridge." One can also visit Chimney Rock, where portions of the 1992 film "The Last of the Mohicans" were filmed. Other sites of interest include Hanging Rock, Maggie Valley, and Tweetsie Railroad.
With such a variety from mountains to coast, there are so many things to do and places to see. It would take a very long book to cover them all. Decide what it is you want to see, whether historic sites, family fun places, or nature trails, then search for those. North Carolina is so full of interesting sites to visit, there is sure to be something for everyone.
