The Outer Banks, or OBX as it is referred called by locals, are a group of barrier islands that round the coast of North Carolina. The notorious Blackbeard and other pirates previously made these small islands a favorite hangout. The Outer Banks are now a well-liked holiday spot for people looking to escape the summer heat.

The wild horses that still roam the dunes at the northernmost point of the Outer Banks are renowned. Travelers can discover various miniature golf courses, gift stores, and restaurants in the villages of Nags Head and Kitty Hawk on Bodie Island, which are located in the central area.

The 'Lost Colony,' whose British settlers vanished without a trace in the 1580s, is located in the village of Manteo on Roanoke Island, west of Bodie Island. The stunning and comparatively wild Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore are located further south.

The 130-mile-long barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks are dotted with fishing hamlets and sleepy settlements. Even while each town receives millions of visitors, it nonetheless has its unique personality. The Outer Banks provide incredible outdoor experiences, and there are activities to suit every type of traveler. Each has water, wind, and sand to some extent to its credit.

The culture and the landscape are formed by these factors. There are air, land, and sea adventures available, such as climbing the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States at Cape Hatteras or enjoying a delicious lunch at one of the area's more than 100 eateries.

• Location: North Carolina

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the US because it is conveniently close to several major East Coast towns. But more than just accessibility contributes to this park's appeal.

Another reason for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's fame is the abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery. For instance, more than 1,500 black bears, as well as deer, fox, turkey, and even elk, which were just recently reintroduced, roam this natural wonderland. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park also has 850 miles of trails and numerous beautiful waterfalls.

One of the Best Places to Visit in North Carolina is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is recognized throughout the world for the diversity of its plant and animal life, as well as for its breathtaking, old mountains and clear traces of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Visitors can see wildlife, take in the breathtaking mountain scenery, and tour old houses and churches in Cades Cove. There are a plethora of wildflowers, including asters in the late fall and early hepaticas in the late winter.

• Location: North Carolina

Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville Beaches, among of North Carolina's most well-known beaches, are located in the Wilmington region. This ancient port city is a great vacation spot for families. The "Travel Channel" ranked its NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher as one of the greatest in the country.

Along the Cape Fear River, Wilmington's Riverwalk offers visitors the opportunity to meander slowly. Additionally, there are a number of mansions and plantations in the region, including the antebellum Bellamy Mansion and Poplar Grove Farm, the country's first peanut plantation.

Plan a weekend getaway to Wilmington, a stunning coastal city in North Carolina, where you can explore the Riverwalk, amazing museums, restaurants, gardens, breakfast spots, wedding locations, and historic sites like the USS North Carolina. The Wilmington Railroad Museum, the Cape Fear Serpentarium, and the Wilmington Children's Museum are some of the best family-friendly things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina.

• Location: North Carolina

The largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte, has a lot to offer tourists, particularly those who enjoy motorsports. The largest man-made whitewater park, the US National Whitewater Center, the amusement park Carowinds, and the family-friendly Discovery Place—a science museum and aquarium—are all located in Charlotte, also known as the Queen City.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Motor Speedway are both located in this city. In addition, Mooresville, a nearby suburb, is home to nearly every NASCAR race shop, the majority of which are available to the public.

Traveling with your family or on a romantic holiday to Charlotte is a terrific idea. Visitors can choose from a variety of restaurants, cafes, music venues, theaters, and entertaining tours that are ideal for learning about this special city. The Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, Carolinas Aviation Museum, Discovery Place, and Charlotte Museum of History are all located in Charlotte. For those who appreciate art, a visit to The Mint Museum, North Carolina's oldest art gallery, is a must.

• Location: North Carolina

Many people believe that the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful routes in the country and one of the top tourist destinations in North Carolina. This meandering section of pavement, which has been named both a National Parkway and an All-American Road, is especially beautiful in the fall when the hills in the area change color to hues of orange, yellow, and red.

In the spring, when the dogwoods and Carolina rhododendrons are in bloom, the parkway is also quite lovely. From Virginia's Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway travels 469 miles (755 km).

The Blue Ridge Parkway is special because it offers a leisurely journey that reveals stunning panoramas and close-up views of the Appalachian Highlands. One of the most popular tourist destinations in North Carolina, this unique route twists for 469 miles while safeguarding local wildlife, vegetation, and sights. Visitors to the website can access basic information on the weather, business hours, road conditions, reservations, and permits. Learn about the wildlife you will see while driving, and make plans to join park rangers for informational talks about the history and wildlife of the Parkway. Along with well-known locations, the Parkway has more than 300 miles of pathways. Along the way, you can take in some concerts and music.

• Location: North Carolina

Many people believe that the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful routes in the country and one of the top tourist destinations in North Carolina. This meandering section of pavement, which has been named both a National Parkway and an All-American Road, is especially beautiful in the fall when the hills in the area change color to hues of orange, yellow, and red.

In the spring, when the dogwoods and Carolina rhododendrons are in bloom, the parkway is also quite lovely. From Virginia's Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway travels 469 miles (755 km).

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial, the Western North Carolina Nature Center, and the breathtaking 434-acre North Carolina Arboretum are a few of Asheville's must-see attractions. For the outdoorsy tourist, the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains provide a variety of outdoor excursions. Another wonderful location to visit is the Biltmore Estate, which George Vanderbilt constructed in 1895 as a hideaway after purchasing the area. Frederick Law Olmsted, a family friend, was inspired to build a landscaping masterpiece, complete with formal gardens and a naturalist forest, as a result of Vanderbilt's love of the North Carolina mountains.

• Location: North Carolina

A replica of life in the Winston-Salem region of North Carolina during the 18th and 19th centuries, Old Salem is a living museum. Visitors can observe and experience first-hand the culture and varied trades of the Moravian settlers who resided in this region by interacting with the reenactors at Old Salem and traversing the streets of this National Historic Landmark.

Visitors to Old Salem, for instance, can see shoemakers, gunsmiths, and tailors while they work on their specialized services or produce their unique goods. Additionally, several portions of Old Salem provide visitors with interactive experiences.

Winston-citizens Salem's have a tradition of creativity, earning the city the moniker "City of Arts and Innovation." The city's vibrant nightlife contributes to its reputation as a nationally recognized downtown with fantastic music venues, clubs, and restaurants. The city's gardens are a sight to behold, capturing the history of the region while offering tourists beauty from every angle. Through the gardens, one can discover the origins of the area. The Reynolda House Museum of American Art is a major draw, and don't forget that this area is home to some of the best-preserved colonial cultural structures in the country.

• Location: North Carolina

This gorgeous park provides tourists approximately 18 miles (29 km) of trails ranging in difficulty from easy to difficult and a lake that is ideal for boating, fishing, and swimming. It is situated close to Winston-Salem in the Sauratown Mountains. There are also some lovely waterfalls throughout the park.

Ten cottages as well as a campground for tents and trailers are accessible to tourists who want to camp in Hanging Rock State Park. The Devil's Chimney and the titular Hanging Rock are only a couple of the breathtaking quartzite ridges and formations that make Hanging Rock State Park so well-known.

Hanging Rock State Park, which was developed as a Civilian Conservation Corps undertaking in the 1930s, provides hikers and campers with an excellent outdoor adventure. It has a 73-site campsite, a lake where you may swim and rent canoes, picnic areas, and more than 20 miles of hiking paths. These routes meander along the streams and waterfalls as they lead to breathtaking views.

Go canoeing on the Dan River or mountain biking 8.4 miles of trails. Opportunities for rock climbing abound with a permit. Long-term stays can be accommodated in vacation cabins, and there are complimentary interpretive activities that round out the park museum's educational offers on the natural and cultural history of the Sauratown Mountains.

• Location: North Carolina

Bald Head Island, the southernmost of North Carolina's cape islands, is situated where the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean converge. Bald Head Island is a charming small island getaway that is the ideal combination of relaxation and excitement, located just a few miles across the river from Southport, North Carolina. From Wilmington, Carolina Beach, or Myrtle Beach, Bald Head Island is a simple day journey, and it's the ideal weekend vacation from Raleigh.

Bald Head Island is a good choice for travelers seeking a place where things move more slowly and there aren't any cars. Only accessible by ferry from the town of Southport or by private boat, this island offers 14 miles (23 km) of beaches and a relaxed environment. On this island, getting about is done on foot, by bicycle, or by golf cart.

Marshes, marine woods, and the Bald Head Island Golf Course are among the island's landscape features. The Bald Head Island Conservancy offers Turtle Walks for people who want to assist in monitoring a nest for emerging babies or to watch for moms coming ashore to nest during the summer months because this island is also a turtle nesting area.

• Location: North Carolina

Around 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Asheville, Chimney Rock State Park, one of the Best Places to Visit in North Carolina, is home to miles of hiking trails and the stunning 400-foot (120 meter) Hickory Nut Falls. Of course, the more than 300-foot (90-meter) monolith known as Chimney Rock, with its breathtaking vistas of the area, is the most well-known location in this state park.

To get to the summit of the Chimney, visitors can either take the 26-story elevator or walk 500 steps, or around 31 flights of stairs. Having only been approved by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2005, this park is rather new.

Chimney Rock State Park boasts some of the state's most beautiful mountain landscapes. To begin with, the 315-foot spire that overlooks Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge provides striking views. Although Rumbling Bald is free to enter and has one of the park's six trails, there is an admission fee at the main entrance to Chimney Rock.

There are lots of opportunities for hiking and picnics at Chimney Rock Access. The degree of difficulty of the trails varies, for instance, from leisurely nature hikes to somewhat taxing ascents of Chimney Rock Mountain. Rocky Broad River is a must-see for trout fishermen and offers gift shops and concessions.

• Location: North Carolina