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RALEIGH, NC (December 18, 2025) — From the drumbeat of the America 250 commemoration to the perennial pleasures of travel, the “Official 2026 North Carolina Travel Guide” creates a fresh take on authentic experiences in scenic settings, dynamic cities and distinctive towns from the Atlantic to the Appalachians. Across 118 pages, trip planners can align their taste for adventure, culture and meaningful storylines with a wealth of ways to cover the wish list.
“For those who love to travel, reading the guide is like walking through a gem mine with nuggets of inspiration on every page,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC. “Part of the appeal lies in discovering a bar in Franklinton that once was a jail, learning that you can fashion a pair of sneakers in Charlotte, or realizing that when you hike at Hanging Rock State Park, you’re stepping into Revolutionary War history. It all reflects our brand: For Real, Visit NC.”
“The Official 2026 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.
Love at first sight
The three-page cover package starts with an America 250 moment in Halifax, where NC’s Fourth Provincial Congress issued the first official call for independence from Great Britain — the act behind the “First in Freedom” phrase on NC license plates. The cover shows the restored Bradford-Denton House, built around 1760 by Col. John Bradford, a delegate and commander of the Halifax militia.
A flip of the page leads to a panoramic shot of Overmountain Vineyards in Tryon, a winery that sits on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Next comes a Colonial Spanish mustang on a Northern Outer Banks beach that’s home to a herd descended from horses brought to the New World in the 1500s.
“The Halifax shot is directly historical while the other two show how the past adds resonance to the pleasures of a place,” Tuttell said. “The Travel Guide effectively combines deliberate and casual encounters with histories that have shaped the state.”
The guide directs trip planners to historic sites and museums that preserve stories and artifacts from before the American Revolution. It also includes such voices of knowledge as Jason Collins of the Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie, Kevin Tafoya of Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual in Cherokee, and Aya Shabu, who leads interactive tours at the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham.
Throughout the guide, callouts to accessibility, pet friendliness and the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles add valuable elements and insights.
See and savor
Roundups throughout the guide cover a spectrum of possibilities: teeing off on greens designed by the greats, fulfilling the need for speed on kart tracks and coasters, hitting snow-covered slopes and breathtaking bike trails, and feasting the eye on floral beauty, riverside wonders and sights from sky. Set-jetters can follow cues to locations from the film-rich coast to the mountains with an option to let New Bern resident Nicholas Sparks lead the way to some of his favorite spots.
A feature headlined “’Cue the Remix” earns high marks from Tuttell, a barbecue aficionado who welcomes the arrival of variations that complement NC’s classic smoked pork styles.
“Beyond NC’s widely recognized whole hog and Lexington barbecue styles, Prime Barbecue in Knightdale adds authentic Texas brisket to our menu,” Tuttell said. “Other places show that barbecue works well with pimento cheese, on a pizza or even as a hot dog topping.”
Overnight sensations
For memorable lodging, a “Relax + Refocus” feature leans into wellness. Trip planners can set their sights on luxury with The Sanderling on the Outer Banks or The Swag in Waynesville. They might also consider options that reflect farmland ties such as The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis and Juneberry Ridge in Norwood. The guide’s “Starry Nights” glamping sampler includes the Cherry Treesort in China Grove and Rustic Ridge Rooftop Skoolie, a Ford Blue Bird Bus now parked in Casar.
For haunting storylines, the “Spooky Stays” collection steers ghost hunters to inns across the state, including the Balsam Mountain Inn in Balsam, the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill and the Historic Brookstown Inn in Winston-Salem. Travelers looking for drive-time audio can tune into Visit NC’s First in Fright podcast episodes.
“There’s no guarantee of paranormal activity,” Tuttell said, “but anything’s possible.”
An eye to essentials
For all its inspiration, the guide pays attention to the practical. A front-of-the-book map directs travelers to the state’s Welcome Centers, which offer free assistance, including room reservations. Listings for state agencies and local tourism centers are included near the end along with an index of towns and cities. A fold-out map can be used for navigation or for envisioning the possibilities.
“With all due respect for GPS, maps have an unbeatable way of showing where you’re going and helping you calculate the time you have for a tempting stop along the way,” Tuttell said.
For more travel inspiration, stop by VisitNC.com.
Travel Guide cover photos are available for download here.
About Visit North Carolina:
Visit North Carolina, the state's official destination marketing organization, 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.
The mission of Visit NC 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 to maximize economic vitality statewide. Each year, North Carolina welcomes about 40 million visitors who spend nearly $37 billion during their visit. The tourism industry employs more than 230,000 people and generates nearly $2.7 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information, travel ideas and inspiration, go to VisitNC.com.
CONTACT:
Veda Gilbert ǀ Suzanne Brown ǀ Emily Prickett
media@VisitNC.com