Plan an outdoor adventure to one of North Carolina’s beautiful state parks. Test your endurance climbing to the top of a breathtaking peak or sit back in a comfy chair and take in the sights and sounds of a peaceful lake. Whether you’re looking for an all-day adventure or an evening under the stars, North Carolina parks deliver.

Plan 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.

From theme parks and casinos to amenity-filled resorts and an overnight winery, you can stay where you play at these destinations.

There's never a wrong time to plan summer adventures on the North Carolina coast. Whether you're planning a family reunion or a romantic getaway, you can have your pick of quiet beaches and coastal communities, history, lighthouses, outdoor activities, golf and, of course, fresh seafood.

Pick a specific portion of these routes or plan to bike the whole thing over a few days. Whatever your mood and level of comfort on a bike, we've got a route to match.

With its wealth of golf opportunities, North Carolina can offer every player a chance to step onto a top-level course. Here are the 18 top-ranked courses open to the public, based on the North Carolina Golf Panel’s 2024 top courses you can play:

You can climb four of the lighthouses in this list spring through fall.

Two national seashores, four lighthouses, a herd of wild horses, and hundreds of miles of beaches and shoreline await on the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

Fill your cooler, grab a blanket and enjoy a meal al fresco at these state parks and natural areas.

Some of North Carolina’s most undeveloped places are along our beautiful coast. The soft dunes and flat plains of this region are perfect for setting up camp and stargazing. From state parks and national seashores to river platforms and RV parks, camping options abound.