Let the road lead you on iconic road trips throughout the state. These are journeys you won’t soon forget.
Cruise through charming towns or take on climbs with serious payoff — every kind of cyclist can find their pace here.
Zip, climb, paddle or hike — every region in North Carolina brings a different kind of thrill, surrounded by stunning views.
Hands-on museums, animal encounters, hikes and beach days. North Carolina is a playground built for all ages.
You might know of Bald Head Island as a popular summertime retreat, offering sun, sand and a slower pace of life that freely mingles with nature. But the locals have a tip for you: Autumn visits are best. Spend a weekend, a week or even longer as you take in the smaller crowds, low offseason rates and easy-to-find tables at harbor-side restaurants.
In the heart of the Nantahala National Forest is the North Carolina mountain town of Franklin. It’s a colorful destination, especially in autumn, when the birches, oaks and other deciduous trees on surrounding hills turn vibrant hues. But those aren’t the only things you’ll uncover in the “Gem Capital of the World.”
Throw the green flag for NASCAR racing adventures with the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway every October.
In early October, temperatures at Western North Carolina’s highest elevations start dropping, and the color cascade sets off through early November. Watch the entire show unfold in cozy Bryson City, located in Swain County, tucked between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest.
Each fall, the side of Highway 64 near Cashiers in Jackson County becomes a location for one of the most unique leaf-looking experiences in the country – the Shadow of the Bear. This naturally occurring phenomenon makes an appearance for just 30 minutes on sunny days around 5:30 p.m. from mid-October through early November. It starts with a small dark shadow at the bottom of the valley and grows until it finally evolves into the bear.
Crystal Coast Tourism Director of Digital & Event Marketing Karen Gould and pro cycling coach Matthew Busche might live hundreds of miles apart, but fall gives them both the blues — in the very best way.