About North Carolina
North Carolina's natural wonders are as diverse as those of any other state in the nation. From the warm, sandy beaches lining the Atlantic Ocean to the seemingly endless forests that roll over the western reaches of the state, there is plenty to see, do and enjoy. Fly in and then rent a car to get the best experience of this gorgeous southeastern state.
Some of North Carolina's most popular cities are:
Whether camping or just taking a day trip, it's well worth taking some time to see some of the state's greatest natural attractions. Visit Stone Mountain State Park or drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia all the way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Spend a sunny week on some of the state's most scenic beaches at Atlantic Beach on the Bogue Banks or Ocean Isle Beach near the southern edge of the state.
The diversity of city life is just as amazing as North Carolina's wildernesses, and one of the best places to see this is in The Research Triangle, the name given to the region occupied by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary. Here, the abundance of research universities, high-tech companies and medical centers have made The Triangle into one of the strongest economies in the entire region.
Bordered by the coastal states of Virginia and South Carolina, North Carolina offers a great way to explore the history, culture and beauty of both the North and the South. It also touches the states of Tennessee and Georgia where a wide world of music culture and historical legacy thrives.
Fun Facts About North Carolina
- The Wright Brothers National Memorial marks the spot where the first successful powered flight took place.
- Asheville holds the largest private residence in the United States: the 255-room Biltmore Estate.
- Pepsi was invented in the city of New Bern, as evidenced by the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola museum.
- Roanoke Island was the site of the first European settlement in America. Oddly, the settlers vanished without any evidence as to what happened, the only sign being the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree.
- Height is big in North Carolina, holding the tallest lighthouse, dam and waterfall in the United States.
- On March 7, 1914, Fayetteville was the site of the first home run hit by baseball legend Babe Ruth.
Biltmore Estate
Built by the Vanderbilt family during the height of the Gilded Age, the Biltmore Estate is enormous to an extent that it's hard to grasp: the property itself contains 8,000 acres. The mansion at the heart of the property is massive in its own right: 250 rooms include features like an indoor swimming pool and a bowling alley, not to mention hordes of priceless antiques. If you wish to stay overnight, the Inn on Biltmore Estate reflects the same splendor as the original property, even mimicking many of the same styles and designs popular during the late 19th century.
Besides a tour of the home and the grounds, there are a huge variety of activities to partake of on the estate grounds. Tour the grounds on horseback or via horse-drawn carriage, float down the calm French Broad River or practice your aim against sport clay targets. When it's time to take a break from the action, there are a variety of restaurants at which to dine and nearly a dozen shops filled with special estate treats and keepsakes.
North Carolina Info
