Picturesque attractions such as Switzerland Inn, the sunflowers at Dix Park and sailing in Oriental will get you all the likes this summer.

North Carolina was made for summer fun. Whether you and the family want it wild or tame, in the city or deep in the mountains, you’ll find that summer holds the key to fun for all.

North Carolina’s opportunities for adventure, romance and beauty are endless with more than 300 miles of ocean shoreline to the east and beautiful mountain peaks to the west that lie only six hours apart. In between, lively cityscapes hide ample urban nature spots tucked away from the beaten paths that make for an ideal escape with your special someone.

With clear waters, a spacious beach, wellness activities such as spas and sailing cruises, and water sports — including surfing, paddleboarding and sailing — it’s easy to see why Wrightsville Beach remains a favorite vacation spot, especially for families. Here are 10 reasons why you and the family should plan a trip to Wrightsville Beach this summer.

Halifax County is full of doers, not watchers. From its earliest days, when quill was put to parchment and tool to stone, its residents have helped steer the region and nation. It’s no different today. Interesting museums, well-crafted food and drink, and natural wonders — each offered with plenty of Southern hospitality — create numerous hands-on adventures. Here are eight you must try.

Pitch a tent on a national seashore, spend a romantic evening in a treehouse or up the fancy factor with glamping in the mountains.

Take your pick of North Carolina's six ski resorts and destinations: Appalachian, Beech Mountain, Cataloochee, Hatley Pointe, Sapphire Valley and Sugar Mountain.

The cooler months are a great time to visit coastal state parks for sandboarding, bird watching, fishing, Civil War re-enactments and aquariums.

Why waste the winter months hibernating indoors? Snow, ice and frosty temperatures provide plenty of fodder for outdoor adventure. When winter weather rolls into the Southeast, North Carolina’s wild spaces are briefly and beautifully transformed — with much more to offer beyond black diamond downhill runs.

Each fall, a wave of brilliant color starts in the North Carolina mountains, rolls across the central, urban landscapes of our state and eventually washes out at the coast. If you time it right, you can surf its entire length. Leaf-peeping season usually starts mid-September in the mountains and can last into November on the coast.