Top 10 Must-Visit Destinations in North Carolina for First-Timers
If you are the one who loves mountains and beaches equally, go to North Carolina without a second thought. You will be surprised to see what you find here. Whether you enjoy nature, history, or city fun, there’s something for you. If it’s your first time visiting, I suggest the top 10 destinations in North Carolina that you must visit.
First-Timer’s Guide: Top 10 North Carolina Destinations
1. Asheville
If it’s your first time and you’re wondering what your first stop should be, consider visiting Asheville first. Do you know what makes Asheville special? Well, this city is in the Big Ridge Mountain of western North Carolina. It is famous for many notable things. You can visit the Baltimore Estate there, which is the biggest one anyone privately owns in the whole U.S., and do you know it is built on 8,000 acres of land? You can also drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a nice road, often called ‘America’s Favorite Drive.’ You can easily go hiking and see amazing mountain scenery from there. If you really like beer, this city is a great place to visit, because Asheville has over 30 places that make their own special beer, called craft breweries.
2. Outer Banks
Do you want to visit a place where history meets nature? That’s the Outer Banks! It’s a long group of islands near North Carolina. You can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in a town called Kill Devil Hills. This is where the Wright brothers flew their first plane in 1903! There are lots of hotels in North Carolina, especially near the Outer Banks, so it’s easy to find a nice place to stay.
You can find great beaches to relax on at Cape Hatteras. There are also tall, old lighthouses you can look at, or even climb! It’s also great for fishing.
3. Charlotte
Want to know what makes Charlotte, North Carolina, a major U.S. city? It’s a place, lots of people call it home, more than 890,000. It’s a very important place for banks, and the main office for Bank of America is there. If you visit, you can go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame or the Levine Museum of the New South to learn about history. And don’t forget the sports teams: the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and Charlotte Hornets (NBA). Its airport, Charlotte Douglas International, is super busy, so as a first-timer, it’s easy for you to fly in and out of the city.
4. Raleigh
Do you know what the capital city of North Carolina is? Well, it’s Raleigh. It connects with Durham and Chapel Hill to create the Research Triangle. This area is known for great schools, new technology, and health studies. Raleigh also has free museums like the science museum and the art museum, and people really love them. You’ll find a lot of government buildings in Raleigh.
5. Wilmington
If it’s your first time and you want to see a place where old stories meet sunny beaches and even movie magic, go to Wilmington. This is going to be your dream place for sure. You can walk on the nice path that follows the river (it’s 1.75 miles!), which has lots of shops and places to eat. If you like the beach, Wrightsville Beach is very close. You can surf there or just swim. Because so many movies are made here, people sometimes call Wilmington “Hollywood East.”
6. Boone and Blowing Rock
What if I told you about a rock where the wind is so strong, it can blow light things up into the sky? Would you believe me? Well, you’ll find this magic in Blowing Rock. It’s a place that is very close to Boone. It’s a great place for outdoor fun, like hiking, skiing, and going rafting. You can drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a nice road. It has lots of places to stop and look at the amazing scenery.
7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Now close your eyes and imagine a beautiful big park in the mountains. How does this feel? Great, right? That’s exactly what the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is all about. Although most of it is in Tennessee, the part in North Carolina has the towns of Cherokee and Bryson City. You can visit this park for free. There are many miles of trails if you want to hike. You can learn about Cherokee Indian people in Cherokee. It’s their main place where they live. You can see a village that shows how they used to live (the Oconaluftee Indian Village) and go to a museum to learn about their way of life.
8. Greensboro
Are you ready to explore a city where you can find history, cool attractions, and beautiful parks all together? Then, Greensboro is waiting for you. It’s a very important place in the Civil Rights Movement, which was about equal rights for all people. The city also has parks, gardens, and fun places like the Greensboro Science Center. This center has an aquarium (fish!), a museum, and a zoo!
9. Durham
Durham is a city famous for Duke University and its excellent medical research. It also has a trendy downtown area. There, you’ll find the American Tobacco Historic District, which used to be a tobacco factory. Now, it’s a cool spot with many restaurants and offices. And if you love live shows, don’t forget the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) for great shows.
10. Lake Norman
If you want to see a large man-made lake in North Carolina, go to Lake Norman. It is located about 20 miles north of Charlotte. It covers over 50 square miles, which makes it the biggest artificial lake in the state. People enjoy going to Lake Norman because there are many fun things to do. You can go boating, fish, use a paddleboard, and eat at restaurants right next to the water. As a first timer, it would be your treat. So, pack your travel backpack and get ready to make memories that’ll last forever with you.
Final Words
If it’s your first time visiting North Carolina, you’re going to have an amazing time there. No matter what you like, you are going to have a little bit of everything. You’ll find beautiful nature, interesting history, and modern cities. You can go explore the tall Appalachian Mountains or just relax on the sandy islands called the Outer Banks. If you’re visiting for the first time, these ten places are a perfect way to see what the state has to offer.
