Whether you’re looking for a large city or a charming small town, there are a lot of incredible places to visit in North Carolina.
North Carolina is a beautiful state that has a lot to offer. From going to a city and seeing many famous landmarks to visiting a picturesque town, going on a getaway in the state is amazing.
If you want to plan a getaway to North Carolina but you’re not sure where to go, then I got you covered. I made this North Carolina places to visit guide that includes a large variety of amazing destinations you can go to.
Best Places to Visit in North Carolina
Asheville
Asheville is a city that is located in western North Carolina. The city is the largest city in the western part of the state.
There are many things to do in Asheville, including visiting Biltmore, which is a large mansion that dates back to the 19th century. It is the largest privately owned residence in America and was the house of George Washington Vanderbilt II.
Asheville is known for its art galleries, which you can find at many spots in the city. For example, you can go to Grovewood Village, where there are art galleries. An example of an art gallery in the city that you can go to is Lexington Glassworks. At this place, you can see works made from glass and you can see glass-blowing demonstrations too.
You can also go to the Asheville Art Museum, which is a museum with a collection of American art from the 20th and 21st centuries, including works that were made in Western North Carolina.
The Asheville Pinball Museum is a great place to visit as well. This is a museum where you can find lots of vintage pinball machines that you can play as many times as you like for a fixed fee.
Besides that, Asheville’s restaurant scene is great to explore as well. There are lots of eateries for everyone’s liking.
Mount Airy
Mount Airy is a small town in Central North Carolina, close to the border with Virginia. You can reach the town from the nearest larger city, Winston-Salem, in about 40 minutes by car.
The town is famous for being the birthplace of Andy Griffith, a famous actor, and for being the inspiration of the town Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Show. Because of this, the town’s nickname is Mayberry.
There are many things to do in Mount Airy, including interesting museums.
One highlight of the town is the Andy Griffith Museum. At this museum, you can find the largest collection of memorabilia related to Andy Griffith’s personal life and career.
You can also go to the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History and learn about the town’s history.
The Mayberry Replica Courthouse, which is a replica of the courthouse from “The Andy Griffith Show”, is great to visit as well.
Charlotte
Charlotte, the state’s most populous city, is located in Central North Carolina and makes for one of the best places to visit in North Carolina. There are many things to do in Charlotte, which means you can have a lot of fun in the city.
You can visit one of the many museums in Charlotte and learn something new. For example, you can go to one of the two branches of the Mint Museum and see interesting art from all around the world or you can go to Discovery Place Science, where you can learn about science.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is another sight that is worth checking out as well. At this place, you can learn about the people and the history of NASCAR through various changing exhibits. For example, you can see stock car replicas at this place.
If you like sports, you can go to one of the stadiums in Charlotte and see a game. For example, you can go to the Bank of America Stadium and see a football game of the Carolina Panthers or a soccer game of Charlotte FC. Another place to see sports is Truist Field, which is a baseball stadium in Charlotte’s Uptown where you can see a game of the Charlotte Knights.
There are also a lot of theaters in Charlotte where you can see great performances, such as the Knight Theater.
Instead of exploring the city itself, you can go to Carowinds, which is also one of the most fun things to do in Charlotte with kids. This is an amusement park with lots of different rides and attractions, including various roller coasters. There’s also a water park, called Carolina Harbor, at Carowinds.
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock is a small town in Western North Carolina.
The town is known for the Blowing Rock, which is a rock formation that “blows” when winds flow against it.
There are many great things to do in Blowing Rock, such as visiting the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. At this museum, you can learn about the heritage and history of the town and the Southern Appalachian region. You can see exhibitions and attend a variety of events at this museum.
You can also explore Blowing Rock’s main street and shop for unique items at boutique shops. Some of the best restaurants in Blowing Rock are also located on the town’s main street.
Mystery Hill is a unique place with both indoor and outdoor attractions that are a lot of fun. For example, you can see fun and unique optical illusions at this place.
Brevard
Brevard is a small town that is situated in Western North Carolina. The town can be reached from Asheville, the nearest larger city, by car, in about 45 minutes.
There’s a lot to do in the town. For example, one of the best things to do in Brevard is to go to the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas and learn about military history.
You can also find a lot of boutique shops and other unique shops in Brevard. For example, you can find the O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store on Broad Street. This is a toy store that was founded in 1987 with a large selection of toys, including many unique ones.
The town’s many restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and other eateries, are great to check out too.
If you want to attend a performance when you are in Brevard, you can go to the Paul Porter Center of the Performing Arts, which is a venue that is part of Brevard College. You can attend various types of performances at this venue.
Wilmington
Wilmington, located in Eastern North Carolina, is one of the best cities you can visit in North Carolina with a lot to discover. From museums to historic architecture to viewpoints, there are lots of things to do in Wilmington.
Wilmington has a beautiful historic district with lots of grand mansions and other historic buildings.
A great way to explore the historic district is by doing a guided horse-drawn tour during which a costumed driver gives you a lot of information. These tours take 30 minutes in total and depart from Market Street.
You can find one of the best museums in Wilmington in the history district: the Bellamy Mansion Museum. This is a historic mansion from the 19th century and a great example of antebellum architecture.
Other interesting museums are the Wilmington Railroad Museum, the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, and the Cameron Art Museum.
The Wilmington Riverwalk is a wonderful two-mile walkway along the Cape Fear River. The walkway offers a view of the Cape Fear River and is great for a relaxing stroll. There are many great restaurants on the Riverwalk where you can get delicious food with a view.
Another famous sight in the city is Battleship North Carolina, which is a fast battleship from the year 1940 that took part in various military operations of World War II. It is a museum ship and you can see all nine decks of the ship through a self-guided tour.
Beaufort
Beaufort, NC, is a small town that is located in Eastern North Carolina. The nearest larger city is Jacksonville, which you can reach by car in about 1 hour. The city of Wilmington can be reached in about 2 hours.
Beaufort is one of the oldest small towns in North Carolina and was established in 1713.
The town is home to historic sites, places with views, and much more.
When you are in the town, you can go to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, which is a museum where you can learn about maritime history.
The town also hosts numerous annual festivals throughout the year.
Durham
Durham, known as the Bull City, is one of the state’s most populous cities and can be found in the Triangle in Central North Carolina.
The city is home to Duke University, and you can find some of the best things to do in Durham on the campus of this university.
For example, you can find the Nasher Museum of Art, which is a museum with a collection of more than 13,000 objects from around the world, there. Another sight that you can see here is the Duke University Chapel, which is a chapel that was constructed in the year 1932.
Some of the best museums in the city, besides the Nasher Museum of Art, are the Museum of Life and Science, the NCCU Art Museum, and the Museum of Durham History.
When you are visiting Durham, the American Tobacco Campus is a great place in the city to go too.
This is a historic tobacco factory that dates back to the year 1874 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nowadays, you can find a lot of restaurants, shops, and places with entertainment here.
Durham has a lot of great venues where you can see performances. Some great places are the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Carolina Theatre.
New Bern
New Bern is a small city that also makes for a very fun place to visit in North Carolina. It is located close to the Atlantic coast in Eastern North Carolina. The town can be reached from Wilmington in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
One of the best things to do in New Bern is to visit Tryon Palace. This is a building that used to be the official residence and the administrative building of the British governors of North Carolina. It was taken from the British in 1775. You can see the building and learn about its history by doing a guided tour.
You can also go to the New Bern Firemen’s Museum and learn about the history of firefighting in New Bern, or you can go to the North Carolina History Center to learn about the history of New Bern and the surrounding region.
The Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola is located in New Bern. This is the site where Pepsi-Cola was invented in the year 1898. You can learn about the history of the drink here and see lots of memorabilia.
It can also be fun to see a show of the New Bern Civic Theatre at the historic 1922 Athens Theatre while visiting New Bern. You can see dance shows, improv comedy, and lots of other shows here.
Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach is a small town that you can find on the Atlantic coast, next to the city of Wilmington, in Eastern North Carolina.
The town is great if you want to take in a view of the Atlantic Ocean, as there are a lot of places with views. For example, you can get a great view at the historic Crystal Pier, or you can get great food with a view of the ocean at the Shell Island Restaurant and Oceanfront Lounge.
Also, one of the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach is visiting the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. This is a small museum where you can learn about the people and buildings of Wrightsville Beach.
A variety of events takes places in the town throughout the year, such as the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, which is a 3-day festival during which there are many festivities, including an arts and crafts market, a boat parade, and a fireworks show.
Raleigh
Raleigh, NC, is the capital city of North Carolina and it is situated in Central North Carolina. There are many things to do in Raleigh, including learning new things at a museum, seeing performances, and so much more.
When visiting the city, there are many museums that are worthwhile to visit. For example, you can go to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and learn new things about science and nature.
You can also go to the North Carolina Museum of Art to see objects from the state from many periods of time.
Other interesting museums include CAM Raleigh, the City of Raleigh Museum, the North Carolina Museum of History, and the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.
When you want to see a performance or a movie in Raleigh, there are lots of venues to choose from. Some of the best places to see a performance or movie include the Kennedy Theatre, Marbles IMAX, the Raleigh Little Theatre, and the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater.
If you want to see and learn about plants and flowers, it can be great to go to an event at the JC Raulston Arboretum, which is a botanical garden and arboretum of the North Carolina State University.
Besides these activities, there’s much more to do in the city.
Boone
Boone is one of the best small towns to visit in North Carolina. It is located near Blowing Rock, in Western North Carolina. There are many things to do in Boone, such as visiting a museum and doing a guided tour.
When you are visiting Boone, you can go to the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, which is a center that belongs to the Appalachian State University. The center has free art galleries with contemporary art and events also take place at the center.
You can also do a guided tour of the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, which is a museum where you can learn about the Colonial era in Boone.
Boone is also home to many places where you can have a fun time. For example, you can go to Mysterium Escape Adventure to play an escape game, you can bowl at High Country Lanes, or you can play miniature golf at Sunrise Mountain Mini Golf.
If you like sports, you can see a football game at the Kidd Brewer Stadium.
In addition to that, there are several places in Boone where you can attend a performance, such as the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, which is a historic venue that dates back to the 1930s.
Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is one of the largest cities in North Carolina and it is located in Central North Carolina, close to Greensboro.
From visiting a museum to seeing interesting sights to going to a show at a performing arts theater, there are a lot of things to do in Winston-Salem.
Some of the best museums in Winston-Salem are the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, and the Winston Cup Museum.
There are also great things to do in Winston-Salem with kids, such as going to Kaleideum, which is a children’s museum where children can learn about all kinds of subjects through fun exhibits.
For a fun time, there are many places that are great to check out. For example, you can go to the Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park, play games while having a drink at the Reboot Arcade Bar, or see a movie at a/perture.
If you like sports, you can go to Truist Stadium, and see a game of the Winston-Salem Dash, which is a team that competes in Minor League Baseball.
Greensboro
Greensboro is a city in Central North Carolina that is located close to Winston-Salem. There are many fun things to do in Greensboro, so you’ll have a great time when visiting.
You can go to the Greensboro Science Center. This is a science museum with various interesting exhibits and a zoo.
Some other great museums in Greensboro are the Greensboro History Museum, the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.
Lots of events take place in the city throughout the year, including great events that take place at the city’s parks. For example, you can often attend events at Center City Park and LeBauer Park.
The city also has many venues where you can attend a performance. For example, you can go to the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts for this. This is a modern theater where Broadway shows, concerts, and other types of shows take place.
Mooresville
Mooresville, a town in Central North Carolina that is situated next to Lake Norman and close to Charlotte, is also an incredible place to go to in North Carolina. From Charlotte, you can get to Mooresville in about 30 minutes.
Mooresville is known for being the home of lots of NASCAR racing teams, and there are many things to do in Mooresville related to racing.
When visiting the town, you can go to the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, which is a museum where you can learn about drag racing, stock car racing, and much more.
Another museum that can be great to visit is the Memory Lane Museum. At this museum, you can see more than 100 unique vehicles and memorabilia.
You can also find a lot of stores and eateries that can be great to visit when you are in the town. For example, you can shop at Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery, which is the largest antique mall in the Carolinas. You can also go to the Mooresville Ice Cream Parlor, which is the oldest ice cream brand that is still operating in North Carolina.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville, NC, is the largest city in Eastern North Carolina. The city is located next to Fort Liberty, which is one of the largest military bases in the world.
There are many museums in Fayetteville where you can learn new things. For example, you can go to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum to learn about the Special Operations and the Airborne division of the U.S. Army, and the Army in general, through lots of different exhibits.
Other museums in Fayetteville that you can go to are the Museum of the Cape Fear and the JFK Special Warfare Museum.
Fayetteville is also home to various historic landmarks that are great to see. For example, one of the best things to do in Fayetteville is to do a guided tour of the historic 1897 Poe House. You can also see the historic Market House.
If you want to have a fun time during which you play games and have a drink, you can go to the Stop Button Bar, which is an arcade bar.
It can be great to visit the city with kids as well, as there are many things to do with kids in Fayetteville. For example, you can go to the Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, which is a museum with hands-on exhibits.
The city also has a lot of venues where you can attend a performance or another event. For example, you can go to the Crown Coliseum for concerts, dance shows, ice shows, and much more.
Other venues in the city are the Gilbert Theater and the Cape Fear Reginal Theatre.
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Weekend trips from Winston-Salem
North Carolina Places to Visit Tips
Some of the places that I mentioned in this article are located close to each other. When considering going to a place, it’s often easy to also visit another place.
For example, the cities Durham and Raleigh are near each other. By car, you can get from one city to the other in about 30 minutes, and you can also travel between the cities by train, which takes about 40 minutes.
Also, the towns of Boone and Blowing Rock are located near each other.
Asheville and Brevard are two places that are close to each other as well.
The map on this page can be used to see which spots in this North Carolina places to visit guide are located near each other as well.
Places to Visit in North Carolina Map
As you see, there are many great places to visit in North Carolina. Thanks for reading my guide!