2025 NC Travel Guide Lights the Way to Experiences Beneath the Beauty

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 18, 2024) — From stellar attractions to under-the-stars campgrounds, the newly released “Official 2025 North Carolina Travel Guide” reveals vibrant experiences to be found day and night in cities, towns and outdoor wonderlands across the state. Building on the “For Real, Visit NC” brand, the 118-page guide connects trip planners to everything from high adventure to pure tranquility across 500 miles of scenic wonder.

“With four distinct seasons and our geographic medley, North Carolina inspires wish lists of every description,” said Wit Tuttell, Visit NC’s executive director. “The new Travel Guide brings a fresh approach to channeling what, where, why and how into meaningful getaways that reflect authenticity along every mile. We extend a special invitation for travelers to pin down plans for 2025 trips as a ‘Happy New Year’ to destinations across the state, especially those that are newly recovered from the effects of Hurricane Helene.”

“The Official 2025 North Carolina Travel Guide” is free. The print edition is available at the state’s Welcome Centers or by calling 800-847-4862 (800-VISITNC). Readers can also head to VisitNC.com/travel-guides to request a copy, access the digital edition or download a PDF version.

Points of intrigue

The journey begins with a three-page cover package. The series of aerial images, all shot after dark, starts with Fayetteville’s ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure, a bold adventure with nighttime tours. The canopy tour photo is followed by the Old Baldy lighthouse, the oldest of NC’s seven Atlantic beacons, and Biltmore, an Asheville landmark that embodies history, elegance and innovation. By the time readers reach the end of the guide, they’ll have passed through 158 towns and cities to glimpse more than 300 attractions, restaurants, lodging properties and events.

“The Travel Guide illustrates what makes North Carolina alluring for first-timers and returning visitors alike," Tuttell said. “It showcases experiences that draw travelers to our cities, mountains and beaches while presenting them in a new light. One of my favorite features, called ‘Passion Points,’ invites local guides to add insider perspective at popular attractions such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

Among other editorial highlights, Tuttell cited “Get Social,” showcasing the state’s booming social district scene; “No Limits,” featuring wheelchair-accessible and sensory-friendly destinations; and “Bird Spotting,” an illustrated field guide to where and how to see the Great Blue Heron, White-Eyed Vireo, Tundra Swan and other species. An autumn-focused collection goes beyond foliage splendor to tap into Visit NC’s First in Fright campaign with its podcast, haunted trails and fear-infused attractions.

Matters of taste

Food lovers will find favorites among legendary barbecue joints while following the aroma to international fare that has taken root across the state — Dalaya Thai Cuisine in Sylva, Afghan Kabob in Fayetteville and Filipino Cuisine in Jacksonville among others. They can also feast on Southern classics in Asheboro, Asheville, Durham and elsewhere and sample what’s served by recent finalists in the James Beard Awards. “Pouring With Care” directs coffee lovers to shops that employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As for lodging, ideas flow from an “Overnight Sensations” roundup of properties reimagined as boutique hotels, multidimensional resorts and close-to-nature campgrounds. “Cool Stay” callouts add more possibilities for special spots.

The guide also caters to a range of tastes in the arts with destination snapshots of Burnsville, Winston-Salem, Wilmington and other creative hubs. Readers can set the pace of adventure with the choice of fairways, waterways and speedways along with scenic drives and trails.

“Spending time with the guide reflects the joy of travel, the mix of what we love and the discovery of something new,” Tuttell said. “The journey’s full of revelations.”

Practically speaking

For all its inspiration, the guide covers the nuts and bolts of travel with a front-of-book rundown of basic information and links to more about transportation, safety and Welcome Center locations. Listings for state agencies and local tourism centers are included near the end along with an index of towns and cities. There’s a fold-out map that can be used for navigation or for envisioning the possibilities.

“Drivers may rely on GPS,” Tuttell said, “but the map adds a sense of excitement for all the places to explore. At almost every mile, you can find something to see, do and savor.”

For more information to inspire a trip, stop by VisitNC.com.

Travel Guide cover photos are available for download here.

About Visit North Carolina:
Visit North Carolina is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, a private nonprofit corporation that serves as North Carolina’s economic development organization. The EDPNC focuses on business and job recruitment, existing industry support, international trade, tourism and film marketing.

As the official destination organization for the state, Visit North Carolina’s mission is to unify and lead the state in positioning North Carolina as a preferred destination for leisure travel, group tours, meetings and conventions, sports events and film production, maximizing economic vitality statewide. North Carolina welcomes approximately 43 million visitors annually whose spend more than $33 billion in the state. The tourism industry employs more than 216,000 jobs throughout the state and generates nearly $2.5 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit North Carolina, go to VisitNC.com.

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CONTACT:
Veda Gilbert ǀ Suzanne Brown
media@VisitNC.com