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Wild horses
In the Northern Outer Banks, wild horses are the real locals. Descended from Spanish mustangs, these horses roam the sand and dunes of Carova Beach, often with the Atlantic Ocean just beyond them. It’s free to spot them from a 4x4 vehicle or public beach access point, but give them room to stay wild: Keep at least 50 feet away and never feed them.
Cost: Free.
Birthplace of Pepsi
A cold Pepsi just hits differently when you’re sipping it where the whole thing started. In downtown New Bern, Birthplace of Pepsi honors pharmacist Caleb Bradham’s original 1898 creation with a soda fountain, memorabilia and plenty of throwback charm. Pop in between waterfront wandering and historic home tours, grab a cold glass bottle and consider what other famous NC-born foods you might want to give a taste.
Cost: Free; Soda purchase an additional fee.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
You can read about the first flight anywhere, but only in NC can you follow in the Wright’s footsteps. At Wright Brothers National Memorial, you’ll learn more about their historic flight from atop Big Kill Devil Hill. Climb the hill yourself and experience a breathtaking view of the area from sound to sea alongside a 60-foot monument that marks the very site where Wilbur and Orville conducted their glider experiments.
Cost: Adults, $10 (good for seven consecutive days from date of purchase); Children 15 and under, free.
Crystal Coast Ghost Tours
Beaufort is already charming by day — but after dark? That’s when the good stories come out. Crystal Coast Ghost Tours leads you through the waterfront town’s haunted side, with tales of pirates, old homes, restless spirits and local legends that feel extra spooky under the streetlights. For even more eerie, explore Visit NC’s First in Fright haunted hub and queue up our podcast before your next road trip.
Cost: Adults, $19; Children 12 and under, $16.
Ocracoke Express Ferry
Running seasonally between Hatteras and Ocracoke Village, this passenger-only route crosses Pamlico Sound and drops you within walking or biking distance of shops, restaurants and waterfront wandering. Adventure often begins where the road ends, with many scenic destinations available to travel by ferry year-round, but be sure to check seasonal ferry schedules while planning travel. For a quirky detour on your way to the coast, you can also check out the charming two-car Sans Souci Ferry at a crossing that dates back to the 1800s.
Cost: Adults, $7.50; Children 3 and under, free.
Old Baldy
Between March and December, you can climb 108 steps to the top of North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse and you’ll get sweeping views of Bald Head Island, the Cape Fear River, marshes and ocean. The island is only accessible by ferry through Southport and is completely car-free, making the whole trip feel like a step out of regular life. Once you’re back on the mainland, keep the lighthouse love going with even more climbs across the coast.
Cost: Adults, $10; Children ages 3-12, $5; Children 2 and under, free.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Carolina Beach Boardwalk serves up timeless beach fun that never really goes out of style with ocean views, arcade games, salty snacks and sweet treats, all set in a charmingly colorful environment. If you love classic coastal energy, we also recommend exploring one of North Carolina’s iconic fishing piers, where the views are just as good whether you cast a line or not. Bonus points if it feels familiar: This iconic boardwalk was also a featured filming site for "The Summer I Turned Pretty" and "Dawson’s Creek."
Cost: Free.
Feel The Thrill Speedway Tour
For fans of motorsports & racing, Charlotte Motor Speedway is where race-day dreams get a behind-the-scenes pass. The Feel The Thrill Speedway Tour takes fans inside one of NASCAR’s most iconic venues, with views of the track, zMAX Dragway and the Dirt Track helping explain why Concord runs so deep in motorsports history. Time your visit around a race or seasonal event and make an entire weekend out of it that’s part horsepower, part heritage.
Cost: $20.
NC Zoo
Spread across 2,600 acres, the North Carolina Zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and is home to more than 1,700 animals representing 250-plus species. One of North Carolina’s many zoos & aquariums, here you can wander from African grasslands with giraffes, rhinos and elephants to North American habitats shaped by swamps, deserts and forests. You can enhance your experience with feeding times, scenic hiking trails, wheelchair-accessible trams and exhibits, paddleboats and even a giraffe-feeding deck.
Cost: Adults, $20; Seniors, $18; Children ages 3-12, $16; Children 2 and under, free.
North Carolina Pottery Center
At the North Carolina Pottery Center, you have the opportunity to experience the Seagrove area’s world famous pottery heritage through both traditional and contemporary works. Along the way, you’ll see how generations of makers have shaped local clay into pieces built for daily life, beauty and storytelling. It’s the perfect way to develop appreciation for the craft before you explore the many nearby studios, galleries and kilns and discover a real pottery paradise.
Cost: Adults, $5; Children ages 11-18, $2.50; Children 10 and under, free.
Thomas Dambo trolls at Dix Park
Thomas Dambo's massive trolls who’ve made their home in Dix Park are a wonderfully curious excuse to get outside and explore. You can hunt across 308 acres for Daddy Bird Eye, Mama Strong tail and their children Dix, Dax and Dux, then make your way to Gipson Play Plaza for climbing, water features and swings — then grab a snack and on-tap brew from the House of Many Porches. With even more of Dambo’s trolls tucked across North Carolina, along with the mysterious Grandmother Tree waiting to be found, make sure to keep your eyes open.
Cost: Free.
USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame
Pinehurst doesn’t just love golf, it has a legacy that helps define it. The USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame put the game’s legends, artifacts and future in one polished stop between the Carolina Hotel and Pinehurst’s Resort Clubhouse. Explore the exhibits, brush up on championship history and let the setting remind you why this Sandhills village is known as the Home of American Golf. Make it a part of a long weekend escape to Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen, and experience everything the area has to offer.
Cost: Adults, $10 ($5 for NC residents); Children ages 12 and under, free.
Barbecue Center
North Carolina barbecue is a living language all its own. Pull up at Barbecue Center for a tray with chopped or sliced pork, slaw, hush puppies and sauce that carries the sweet-tangy signature of the Piedmont style. This is the kind of stop where smoke does the talking, regulars know their orders by heart and the only real debate is how much room to save for dessert.
Cost: Barbecue trays starting at $9.
Daniel Stowe Conservancy
One of the lush multi-season gardens in central North Carolina, Daniel Stowe Conservancy gives you a garden escape just outside Charlotte. Wander 90 acres of cultivated beauty and natural landscapes, then step into the Orchid Conservatory, where thousands of orchids, succulents, tropical plants and aquatics make the air feel a little more enchanted. Families can make a beeline for Lost Hollow Kimbrell Children’s Garden, where nature and imaginative play meet in the best possible way.
Cost: Adults, $16.95; Seniors, $14.95; Children ages 2-12, $9.95; Children ages 2 and under, free.
Mayland Earth to Sky Park
Burnsville’s Mayland Earth to Sky Park invites you to look way, way up. The Bare Dark Sky Observatory is home to the “Sam Scope,” a 34-inch Newtonian telescope and the largest telescope in the Southeast dedicated to public use. Community viewing nights guide visitors through planets, stars and galaxies. If you find yourself searching for even more, let us shed a light on other dark-sky adventures in NC.
Cost: Free; Ticketed events vary.
Linville Caverns
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina’s only public caverns have welcomed curious visitors since 1937, revealing passageways carved by water deep inside Humpback Mountain. It’s a cool experience in every sense, with the air staying a steady 52 degrees year-round, so bring a light layer even in summer.
Cost: Adults, $15; Seniors, $14; Children ages 4-12, $13; Children ages 3 and under, free.
The Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock has been pulling travelers to the edge of the High Country since 1933, and it still knows how to make a first-time visitor feel blown away. A short scenic walk leads to the famous rock ledge, where gorge views stretch wide and strong winds can lift light objects back into the air. If you’re feeling ready to go whichever way to win blows, spend some time exploring the town of Blowing Rock and nearby Boone.
Cost: Adults, $10; Seniors, $8; Children ages 5-12, $3; Children ages 4 and under, free.
Sliding Rock
Sliding Rock is exactly what it sounds like, only colder, faster and more fun than expected. In Pisgah National Forest, 11,000 gallons of mountain water rush down a 60-foot natural rock slide into a 7-foot-deep pool below. Lifeguards are typically on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and two observation decks make it almost as entertaining to watch as it is to slide. If you’re looking to do more than just dip a toe in, make sure to explore North Carolina’s other incredible swimming holes while you’re in the area.
Cost: $5.
Beech Mountain Resort lift rides
At Beech Mountain Resort, the lift ride is more than just transportation. Scenic open-air chairs carry you toward 5506’ Skybar, where panoramic High Country views pair nicely with a snack, a drink or a pause. With additional year-round activities available, this journey to the highest bar in Eastern America is bound to be a peak moment. If you’re coming in the colder months, this incredible is one of the many winter sport resorts that have earned us the title of Winter Capital of the South.
Cost: $20.
Elk Watching in Cataloochee
Cataloochee Valley feels quieter than its Great Smoky Mountains National Park fame might suggest. Historic 19th-century structures, mountain meadows and forested trails set the scene, but the elk usually steal the show. Visit at dawn or dusk for the best chance to quietly watch them graze from a safe distance and you’ll discover why this valley rewards travelers who take their time.
Cost: Free.