Whether you’re a history buff or nature admirer, North Carolina is a place that has almost everything to offer to its travelers. No matter where your interests lie, this place has got plenty of things for one to see and do to make the most of their time in the state. From bustling cities and gorgeous mountains to beaches and lighthouses, the state has a lot more to offer in terms of attractions and famous tourist spots where you can get an opportunity to get well acquainted with the state’s culture, history, traditions, and of course, its spectacular beauty. This place is home to several art galleries, museums, and civil war sites, which is the closest you can get to learn about the astonishing history and culture of the state. If you have been planning to visit North Carolina anytime soon then you might find this article a little helpful as we have narrowed down a list of the best things you can do in the state.
North Carolina Museum of natural sciences
Apart from being the first-ever museum to be set up in North Carolina, the museum of natural sciences is one of the largest natural history museums in the southeast united states. The nature research center, the North Carolina Museum of forestry, the prairie ridge eco station, and the nature exploration center are the 4 vital constituents of this museum which offers impressive interactive exhibits that keeps everyone occupied and intrigued. In addition to that, the museum is also home to the infamous willo dinosaur which is on display with a fossilized heart.
The Biltmore estate
The Biltmore estate is one of the popular tourist attractions in North Carolina. This private property in Asheville is the largest estate in the United States. The estate includes a small winery, a village and 250 rooms in total that are filled with some of the most precious and priceless items. The castle is surrounded by serene gardens and farms which takes the beauty of this place to a whole new level. The estate can easily be accessed by the tourist as it remains open every day, however, the hours can vary according to the season. On your arrival to the estate, you will also get an opportunity to do a wine tasting at the winery. You can either take a tour of the chateau on your own or you can always ask for a special guided tour which can cost you an additional fee.
Marble kids museum
This is one of the places your kids would definitely love visiting. The museum is aimed towards kids under the age of 10 where they can gain so much knowledge and learnings in the most fun and intriguing ways. It is an interactive hands-on museum that offers a wide range of topics to learn including science, water, music, and electricity. In addition to that, the museum also houses an Imax theater and a beautiful outdoor garden featuring tall flowers and several garden beds. You can visit the museum at any time of the week as it remains open every day. From science workshops and family-friendly celebrations to daily activities and a variety of special events, the museums host several activities and events to keep things interesting and fun for everyone.
North Carolina zoo
Whether you’re an adult or have a kid with you, everybody likes to visit the zoo. And when the state is home to the largest walk-through zoo in the world, you surely cannot miss the opportunity to visit the North Carolina zoo. The best feature about this zoo is, typically, the animals are enclosed in a cage or small area but in this zoo, all the animals are kept in enclosures that resemble their natural habitat. The zoo features three categories of habitat namely- tropical forest, African, North America. More than 250 species are kept under the zoo with around 1,600 animals in total.
The mountains to sea trail
If you’re an adventure enthusiast then you should definitely consider visiting this place which is the official hiking trail of the state. This 1, 175-mile long trail traverses from the Great Smoky Mountains to the outer banks. The trail can be accessed on foot or bikes. Throughout the trekking, the trekkers will witness a variety of attractions including, historic colonial towns, coastal terrains, seashore, pine forests, and impressive mountains.