North Carolina can be explored through a wide variety of landscapes and stories: along the Atlantic coast, beside great rivers and on trails that recall historic events. These contrasts give a trip several possible focal points. You may be interested in barrier islands and starry skies, paddling routes and hiking trails, or historic sites spanning everything from the colonial era to aviation history.
Barrier Islands and Dark Night Skies
Cape Hatteras National Seashore preserves significant stretches of unspoiled barrier islands along North Carolina’s Atlantic coast. It is also home to some of the East Coast’s best spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Cape Lookout National Seashore offers a different focus: the historic villages of Cape Village and Portsmouth Village are located there. Its barrier islands can be reached by a three-mile boat ride from the coast. Cape Lookout is also designated an International Dark Sky Park. Visitors can observe the stars on their own or take part in a public astronomy program. Coastal landscapes, history and stargazing offer distinct experiences here.
On the Water and Along Rivers
In northeastern North Carolina, the 215-mile Roanoke River State Trail follows the river from Roanoke Rapids Lake to Albemarle Sound. It also includes the lower reaches of the Chowan River and is designed as a paddling trail. Its route passes through the largest and least disturbed lowland hardwood forest ecosystem in the Mid-Atlantic region. The trail thus combines a long stretch on the water with a distinctive river landscape. Camping platforms allow paddlers to spend the night by the water; reservations are required to use the campsites. If you plan to stay overnight, be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Historic Hiking Trails
The 330-mile Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail runs through Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. It follows the route used by Patriot militias during the Kings Mountain Campaign of 1780. More than 80 miles of the trail are open for hiking. This route brings together a multi-state trail and the history of a specific campaign. The Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, in turn, is North Carolina’s flagship hiking trail. One section runs through Falls Lake State Recreation Area, which has more than 300 campsites. These details offer different points of reference for travelers planning to hike or spend a night outdoors.
Mountain Landscapes and Historic Buildings
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known worldwide for the diversity of its plant and animal species. Historic churches, gristmills, barns and homes also offer a glimpse of mountain life before the national park was established. The area’s natural diversity and everyday history can thus be seen as two distinct sides of the same landscape. Another major roadway is the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Shenandoah National Park with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Carolina also has 62 scenic byways. That figure describes a statewide selection; the Parkway is a single, named route linking two national parks.
Places in American History
Several historic sites bring different chapters of American history to life. The Battle of Moores Creek National Battlefield marked the last broadsword charge by Scottish Highlanders and the Patriots’ first major victory in the American Revolutionary War. Kings Mountain, Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse were part of a series of events that turned the tide of the war in the South and made the surprise victory at Yorktown possible. At Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, you can use free, self-guided audio tours through the NPS app. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail adds to this perspective on the 1780 campaign by following the route taken by the militias at the time.
On December 17, 1903, after four years of scientific experiments, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful airplane flights in Kitty Hawk. Visitors to the Wright Brothers National Memorial can explore the museum and monument. To help plan cultural visits, North Carolina’s museums are also organized by area of interest—art, history and science—and shown on a map of the state. The North Carolina Division of State Historic Sites operates 27 unique historic sites. You can choose a theme for your explorations rather than viewing every place through a single historical lens.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Brunswick, Pender, Cumberland, Mecklenburg, Wayne, Cleveland, Lee, Johnston, Pitt, Rowan, Catawba, Wake, Guilford, Nash, Dare, Durham, Forsyth, Watauga, Halifax, Hyde, Cabarrus, Vance, New Hanover, Lenoir, Henderson, Mcdowell, Alamance, Wilkes, Orange, Iredell, Buncombe, Person County, Gaston County, Yadkin County, Robeson County, Davie County, Scotland County, New Hanover County, Pine Knoll Shores, Jackson, Craven County, Moore County, Davidson County, Stanly County, Randolph County, Swain County, Currituck County, Rockingham County, Carteret County, Transylvania County, Harnett County, Surry County, Richmond County, Martin, Wilson County, Macon County, Chowan County, Pasquotank County, Cherokee County, Haywood County, Caldwell County, Ashe County, Beaufort County, Lincoln County, Avery County, Granville County, Northampton County, Onslow County, Chatham County, Stokes County, Union County, Rutherford County, Polk County, Burke County, Madison County, Edgecombe County, Mitchell County, Columbus, Hoke County, Duplin County, Hertford County, Montgomery County, Greene County, Clay County, Graham County, New Hanover County, Alleghany County, Franklin County.
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