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.
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 »
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 »
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 retired battleship on the coast.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 »
Golf Is a Family Affair on North Carolina’s Golf CoastThe Brunswick Islands are the ideal place for a family vacation that includes golf, with more than 30 top-rated courses ready to welcome you.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 »
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 »
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 »
#ReclaimYourWeekend Before Summer’s OverIf it feels like summer is passing you by, stop what you’re doing and make plans to Reclaim Your Weekend with fun and adventures in North Carolina.Read more »
Labor Day Weekend (and Beyond) in North CarolinaBefore summer comes to an end, make plans to attend one of these popular festivals and signature events in September.Read more »
Imaginations Come to Life at These Children’s MuseumsKids will marvel at how much fun they’re having, while learning, during a visit to one North Carolina’s museums and science centers made just for them.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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Whitewater River Rafting in the MountainsWhether you’re looking for a white-knuckle rafting experience or a relaxing day with the family, our rambunctious rivers are ready to roll.Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Tour the Decks of Battleship North CarolinaTour the decks of the most decorated battleship of World War II, which now rests proudly near downtown Wilmington.
A Rich Maritime World at Bald Head IslandBald Head Island offers visitors a rich maritime world, from pristine beaches and sea turtles to Old Baldy Lighthouse.
High Gravity Adventures Is a Playground in the SkyThis aerial park, next to Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, will catch your eyes. And with a maze of cargo nets, aerial bridges, tight-rope walks and floating platforms, High Gravity Adventures will…
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…
Moravian Culture in Winston-SalemHistory comes to life in Winston-Salem, where you'll find some of the nation's best-preserved colonial heritage sites at Historic Bethabara Park, Historic Bethania and Old Salem Museum & Gardens.
Experience the Serenity of Grandfather MountainGrandfather Mountain is a sanctuary where guests can see wildlife, hike alpine trails and walk a Mile High Swinging Bridge.
Brunswick Islands: 10 Places in OneIn the southern corner of our coast, enjoy six sun-drenched beaches on five barrier islands, family fun, golf, fishing, lighthouses and more.
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."
The Orchard at AltapassSpruce Pine TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 92 reviewsRegion: High Country
Triangle Boat ToursApex TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 11 reviewsRegion: Raleigh, Durham & the Triangle
Adventure Center of AshevilleAsheville TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 337 reviewsRegion: Asheville & the Foothills
Cataloochee Ski AreaMaggie Valley TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 255 reviewsRegions: Mountains, Smoky Mountains & Cherokee
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park & WaterparkWilmington TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 131 reviewsRegion: Wilmington Area
Greensboro Children’s Museum and Edible SchoolyardGreensboro TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 179 reviewsRegion: Greensboro & Winston-Salem
$139 and Up - Residence Inn Local Brewery ExperienceResidence Inn by MarriottSouthern Pines Valid: Sep 9 - Nov 15
$144 and Up - Midtown Grille Dining PackageResidence Inn Raleigh Crabtree ValleyRaleigh Valid: Dec 31
Stay 3 Nights, Get 1 FREE - Fall Beach Getaways on the Crystal CoastBluewater Vacation RentalsEmerald Isle Valid: Sep 17 - Oct 30
$342 per Person - Tobacco Road Fall Sandhills Select PackageTobacco Road Golf CourseSanford Valid: Sep 10 - Nov 11
Fall Escape in the Outer Banks: The Sanderling Resort Sweepstakes Fall in the Outer Banks is one of the best times to visit. With wide-open beaches and beautiful weather, you’ll truly be able to escape and enjoy a…