North Carolina Travel Guide

North Carolina Mountains to Beaches – We Have It All!

North Carolina has it all. From the mountains in the west to the clean sandy beaches on the Outer Banks. This beautiful state has so much to see and so much to do. Travel NC and visit popular beaches as well as the Blue Ridge Mountains. Meet the friendliest people in the South. North Carolina has it all from the mountains in the west to the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean on her east coast.  What other state in the US can you snow ski in the winter and lie on a warm sandy beach in the summer?  From the highest elevations in the NC mountains, down to the foothills, across the Piedmont Plain to the sandhills, and to the coast, North Carolina is full of things to do.

North Carolina from the Outer Banks to the Great Smoky Mountains
North Carolina from the Outer Banks to the Great Smoky Mountains

North Carolina is a unique state. It has big cities like Charlotte, small quaint towns and communities, and remote islands located on the world-famous Outer Banks, It offers a beautiful fall foliage display in autumn, popular wintertime activities in the mountain regions, a colorful blooming season in the spring, and a summer full of sand, sun and beach activities. NC weather is ideal with 4 distinct seasons: cold winters with snow; mild springs with flowers; hot humid summers; and a mild fall with a beautiful fall foliage display. Use Travel NC to find out what is going on by following NC Happenings where events, festivals, and travel news are posted.

Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway

NC Beaches and Mountains

The NC beaches and the NC mountains are both very popular vacation destinations.  North Carolina resorts are numerous and located in various areas of the state including the NC mountains, the NC beaches, Charlotte, Greensboro, Asheville, and Pinehurst.  The North Carolina mountains to the west offer summer and winter activities like hiking, fishing, and snow skiing.  The coastal regions offer popular activities like fishing, boating, and sightseeing. The Outer Banks and the Crystal Coast are very popular vacation destinations any time of the year. NC beach rentals are very popular during the summer season as well as NC mountain cabin rentals.

If you love to golf North Carolina is full of award-winning golf courses. Pinehurst is a popular golf course that has hosted the men’s and women’s US Open. If you love to golf at the coast Wilmington has golf courses with a nice ocean breeze to keep you cool on those warm summer days.

Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks of NC
Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks of NC

The Outer Banks on the coast have numerous attractions such as the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Wright Brothers National Memorial where the first air flight took place, Fort Raleigh Historic Fort where the first English colony was attempted, and Jockeys Ridge which is the largest natural sand dune in the United States.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the western part of the state, as well as Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell which is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Chimney Rock is located in the southern chain of the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Asheville. The NC mountains have numerous Fraser Fir Christmas tree farms where you can choose and cut your own tree.

Christmas at Biltmore Estate
Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville, NC

Biltmore Estate located in Asheville is a popular attraction. The estate is open for tours year-round. Biltmore Estate decorated for  Christmas is a beautiful festive display starting the first week of November each year.

North Carolina cities offer visitors a wide array of travel opportunities. From the state capital of Raleigh; to Asheville located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; to the large metropolis of Charlotte; or the coastal town of Wilmington; the cities, towns, and communities of North Carolina make for a great traveling and touring experience no matter what season of the year.

Use Travel NC as a guide to planning a visit or a vacation to North Carolina. With so many NC attractions to choose from the hard part may be which one to do first! In the fall try a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, or a ride in the  NC mountains to see the beautiful fall foliage show. In the hot summer, a NC beach vacation is a must. In the winter a NC snow ski resort stay is perfect after a snowfall.

Crystal Coast Fishing Pier in North Carolina
Crystal Coast Fishing Pier
Four Weather Seasons To Enjoy

North Carolina weather has 4 distinct seasons: fall; winter; spring and summer. Falls are mild with the trees changing colors starting first in the higher elevations of the mountains in the west and progressing across the state to the coast by mid to late November. The North Carolina mountains are a great place to view fall foliage in the autumn months. The variety of elevations in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina offers a long leaf viewing season each fall. A ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall is a beautiful ride when the colors start to show. The Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, and the Nantahala National Forest in the southern mountains of North Carolina offer colorful fall foliage scenes.

NC Fall Foliage Reports and Updates
NC Fall Foliage

NC mountain rentals are very popular in the fall when the leaves change colors. Winters are cold but not frigid with some snow. An NC snow ski vacation is a must in the Boone area. Spring starts with the blooming of daffodils, azaleas, and dogwood trees in March. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the 90s and some 100-degree days. A beach vacation on the NC coast can be a welcome relief to the hot humid dog days of summer. Travel NC and see all that the state has to offer.

Where is North Carolina Located?

North Carolina is located in the Southeast United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, Tennessee to the west, South Carolina and Georgia to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

Travel NC and see North Carolina from its beautiful mountains
to its clean sandy beaches!