Gem Mining & Quirky FunDig for gold, emeralds and gems at kid-friendly mines or visit offbeat and one-of-a-kind museums and festivals.
Lighthouses & FerriesSee our beaches by ferry or from atop Cape Hatteras and other coastal lighthouses.
History & Science MuseumsGet hands-on and interactive while touring exhibits dedicated to science, history, pirates, dinosaurs, flight, and sports such as basketball and racing.
Planes, Trains & MoreRide the Great Smoky Mountains and Tweetsie railroads, relive the Wrights' first flight and more.
Vacation RentalsRent a beach house beyond where the road ends, a quiet mountain cabin or even a houseboat.
Take the FerryNorth Carolina’s 20-plus ferries have been a convenient and enjoyable way to travel the state's coastline since the mid-1920s.Read more »
Get Away to Rumbling Bald Resort and Beautiful MountainsNorth Carolina’s mountains are known for offering many adventures and relaxing places, and it’s all within reach at Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure.Read more »
Nature’s Pool Party: North Carolina Swimming HolesTaking a splash in one of our state’s many, natural swimming holes, from the mountains to the coast, is guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again.Read more »
Fun at the Farm: Apples, Pumpkins and Corn MazesThere’s no better place to enjoy fall fruits and fun seasonal activities than our farms and orchards.Read more »
North Carolina Zoo in AsheboroHere you can see 1,600 animals and 52,000 plants, and walk from the African grasslands to the North American Arctic Coast in a single afternoon.Read more »
10 Dark-Sky Adventures in North CarolinaThe total solar eclipse brought large crowds to our state, but here are 10 other dark and glowing adventures you can continue to enjoy throughout the year.Read more »
Experience the Past, Present and Future at PinehurstSee what’s new at Pinehurst Resort, including The Cradle 9-hole course and a craft brewery on the way, while the championship golf remains as iconic as ever.Read more »
Fun, Food, Fandom: Minor League Baseball in North CarolinaIntimate venues, catchy promotions, loveable mascots, unique food and affordable prices mean the minors serve up major fun at 11 ballparks across the state.Read more »
Animal Safari AdventuresEager to explore the wild side of North Carolina? Point your GPS toward aquariums, zoos, national wildlife refuges, a tiger rescue and more.Read more »
Dog-Friendly Hotels Where Man’s Best Friend Is KingThese hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, cabins and vacation rentals across North Carolina go above and beyond to make your dogs feel welcome.Read more »
Perfect Picnic SpotsThis is one of the easiest and prettiest places to pack a picnic basket, with each region offering a variety of landscapes for any appetite.Read more »
Play, Eat, Stay, Repeat at These Fun-Filled AttractionsFrom theme parks and casinos to amenity-filled resorts and an overnight winery, you can stay where you play at these North Carolina destinations.Read more »
Be Inspired at the Billy Graham Library in CharlotteVisit the birthplace of world-famous evangelist Billy Graham, tour the iconic venue that chronicles his life, and discover lots to do in the Queen City.Read more »
Family Fun at North Carolina’s AquariumsAt four spots along the coast, you can discover the otters, fish, sea turtles and other aquatic life that make our waters so vibrant.Read more »
21 Places to Take Your Kids Before They’re All Grown UpKids grow up fast, and the memories they and their parents hold dear often come from family trips. Here’s a list of things to do they’ll never forget.Read more »
8 Fun Activities to Get Your Kids OutdoorsBreak your kids away from the TV and visit one of North Carolina’s state and national parks, where they’ll be surprised to find thrills of a lifetime.Read more »
Find Your Ideal Camping Spot to Get Away This SummerNorth Carolina is a camper's paradise, offering campgrounds ranging from family-friendly and scenic to primitive and secluded.Read more »
Family Fun at the National Folk Festival in GreensboroGreensboro is filled with family-friendly attractions and events, highlighted by the free, three-day National Folk Festival in September.Read more »
Breakfast Is Served: 22 North Carolina Brunch SpotsOne of the great things about vacation is the opportunity to sleep in. Luckily, these restaurants serve full breakfast menus late in the day.Read more »
15 Fun Family DestinationsEven when they’re 50, your kids will remember visiting these great places, from a swinging bridge in the mountains to a former battleship on the coast.Read more »
Road to Nowhere and Waterfalls in the Great Smoky MountainsThe Road to Nowhere ends at a tunnel inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you want to venture farther, you have to do it by foot.Get planning »
Military History in Eastern North CarolinaFrom an early declaration of independence to modern-day Special Forces, North Carolina is overflowing with history near Interstates 95 and 40.Get planning »
Forest Heritage National Scenic BywayThis two-hour drive in the Great Smoky Mountains is a great way to see waterfalls, rhododendron blooms and lush, beautiful forests.Get planning »
Take a Farm-Fresh Tour of Western North CarolinaThis three-day trip starts in Asheville and ends outside of Boone, featuring farm visits, local wine, farm-to-table dining, alpacas and more.Get planning »
Museums, Music and More in CharlotteCharlotte has much to offer in art, history and culture. Spend three days here and discover a great sampling of museums, music and more.Get planning »
Lighthouses and Maritime Sights on the CoastThe Outer Banks and Crystal Coast attract visitors to enjoy historic lighthouses, maritime history, charming fishing villages and sunny shores.Get planning »
Follow Cues from Max Movie to Sniff Out AdventureVisit several of the locations where Max was filmed, and you’ll experience some of North Carolina’s most beautiful natural attractions.Get planning »
Outdoor Adventure in the Northern PiedmontPlan a day trip or a weeklong getaway with tubing and paddling on the Dan River, hiking and camping in state parks, rock climbing, biking and more.Get planning »
Horses, Adventure and Food Star in an Epic Mountain WeekendWatch world-class riders compete at Tryon International Equestrian Center during a weekend that’s filled with mountain sights, tastes and adventure.Get planning »
Racing, Wine and Wild AnimalsYou'll find many things we're famous for near Asheboro and Lexington, including the Childress and Petty racing museums, the North Carolina Zoo and barbecue.Get planning »
Nights in Rodanthe Film TrailVisit Rodanthe and nearby Outer Banks attractions where you can experience firsthand the adventure and romance of the movie.Get planning »
Wilmington and Its Island Beaches Wilmington and Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville beaches wait with gardens, shopping, great dining and plenty to do for the entire family.Get planning »
Visit Lake Lure, Asheville and CherokeeThis region offers 75-mile views from atop Chimney Rock, Cherokee history and great shopping for mountain crafts in Asheville and Dillsboro.Get planning »
Outer Banks National Scenic BywayThis daylong drive and ferry tour traces the coastline, exploring the maritime history of our sounds, barrier islands and coastal villages.Get planning »
Spend Your Family Vacation on North Carolina BeachesPlanning a trip the whole family loves can be a challenge – except here. Enjoy the beaches and waterfront attractions in Wilmington and the Brunswick Islands.Get planning »
Family-Friendly Wildlife Tour on the North Carolina CoastVisit aquariums, a sea turtle center and zoo, go on boat tours and more as your family discovers Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores and Surf City.Get planning »
Family Adventure in the Great Smoky MountainsWhat's more fun than hiking, picnicking and splashing in cold mountain streams? Grab this three-day trip, pack up the kids and head for the hills.Get planning »
Walk in Blackbeard’s Footsteps on the CoastVisit pirate hideouts, skulk around the town Blackbeard called home, see where his sunken ship is submerged, and see where he met his violent end.Get planning »
Meet the Lorikeets at N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher“Lorikeet Landing” is an interactive, live-animal exhibit at North Carolina Aquarium featuring lorikeets — the small, tropical birds native to Australia.
Historic Orchard at AltapassTake the Blue Ridge Parkway to Milepost 328.3, where kids and families can enjoy apple picking, a butterfly garden, a bee hive and walking trails.
McAdenville, Christmas Town USAIn this mill town west of Charlotte, the 375 Christmas trees on view outnumber the households in a celebration that started in 1956.
See Rare Birds Up Close at Carolina Raptor CenterWatch an American bald eagle or great horned owl at Carolina Raptor Center. Located in Huntersville, just north of Charlotte, it features one of the country’s most extensive collections of birds of…
Hammocks Beach State ParkThe highlight of this state park is Bear Island, a remote, unspoiled beach where you can swim, surf, fish, camp, canoe and kayak.
Sliding Rock in the Pisgah National ForestSlip down Sliding Rock, a 60-foot natural water slide with a cool pool at the bottom, in the Land of Waterfalls.
North Carolina – Deeper JourneyFrom above the clouds to below the surface, take a journey through the many layers of North Carolina beauty.
National Hollerin' Contest in Spivey's CornerAt the National Hollerin' Contest in September, participants use their vocal stylings to impress judges with their expertise in various "hollers."
Discovery Place Kids - RockinghamRockingham TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 20 reviewsRegion: Pinehurst & Sandhills
Discovery Place Kids - HuntersvilleHuntersville TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 195 reviewsRegion: Charlotte Region
Marbles Kids Museum and Wells Fargo IMAX TheatreRaleigh TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 80 reviewsRegion: Raleigh, Durham & the Triangle
LaZoom ToursAsheville TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 2622 reviewsRegion: Asheville & the Foothills
Starting at $342 - Elevated Golf at Sea Level Prices at High Hampton Inn High Hampton InnCashiers Valid: Aug 14 - Nov 5
$139 and Up - Residence Inn by Marriott Local Brewery ExperienceResidence Inn by MarriottSouthern Pines Valid: Sep 1 - Oct 31
Stay Three Nights and the Fourth is Free - Cousin Emma's B&BCousin Emma's B&BMount Airy Valid: Jul 24 - Nov 24
Golf Getaway for Two: The Pinehurst Resort SweepstakesNestled among the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst Resort combines Southern hospitality, elegant accommodations, luxury spa facilities, family…