North Carolina Top Attractions: Discover The “Tar Heel” State

by | Feb 10, 2012 | Asheville, NC, biltmore, north carolina, travel guide

By the Reynolds Mansion B&B, your gateway to Asheville, NC and the Biltmore Estate

Explore the monumental beauty of the “Tar Heel” state. From soft sand beaches to gorgeous mountain ranges, cityscapes to country roads, whatever you want, you will find it here in spades.

Of course, with so much to see and do in this unique Southern state, it isn’t difficult to get overwhelmed – so instead of planning to see “everything,” just book a few nights at a selection of North Carolina B&Bs near some of the nation’s top attractions and hit the road!

Not sure what the top attractions are? No problem! According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development, the state’s top have-to see sights include:

1. Historic Ocracoke – Ocracoke, NC. Listed on the Nation’s Register of Historic Places, this little barrier island community features a significant district made from more than 200 homes and buildings, including the Ocracoke Lighthouse, which was built in 1823 and is the oldest continuously operating light on the eastern seaboard.

2. Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC. After breakfast at your North Carolina hotel, make your way to the shocking 250-room Biltmore House.  Set on 8,000-acres, you can spend the day doing everything from horse riding to rafting, and wine tasting to shopping.

3. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park – Chimney Rock, NC. Whether you’re up to the challenge of a led rock climbing session or simply searching for a breathtaking place for a relaxed stroll, Chimney Rock State Park’s 75 miles of trails makes it all practical. You can also take a lift built within the mountain twenty-six stories into the sky for a scenic view you will not find any place else.  (Handily located just twenty-five miles southeast of Asheville’s North Carolina hotels, you can easily combine this attraction with a trip to the Biltmore Estate).

4. Old Salem Museums and Gardens – Winston-Salem, NC. Explore the lives of those who lived and worked in the early South at Old Salem Museums amp, Gardens. Made up of 3 museums, including the Significant Town of Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Humanities (MESDA), and the Old Salem Toy Museum, it is a perfect destination for history buffs.

Grandfather Mountain – Linville, NC. As one of the planet’s most environmentally various nature preserves and a United Countries World Ecosphere Reserve, this one-off destination is a delight for out of doors enthusiasts of every age.

5. Hanging Rock State Park – Danbury, NC. This 6,968-acre state park features more than 18 miles of trails, which lead to gorgeous vistas, waterfalls, sparkling streams, and a 12-acre lake where you can spend the day fishing, cruising and swimming.

6. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area – Pittsboro, NC. Fishing, swimming, hiking and boating are all in a day’s fun at this 14,000-acre state recreation area – which is simply a brief drive from many North Carolina hostels in the Raleigh-Durham area.

7. Lake Lure – Lake Lure, NC. Named “one of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the world” by State Geographic, this lovely spot offers everything from sailing and fishing to dinner cruises and days spent basking on the beach. (And for you “Dirty Dancing” fans, you’ll want to take a guided cruise, in which your captain will mention some of the locations featured in the film.)

8. Battleship North Carolina – Wilmington, NC. Learn about the battles fought by this ship’s brave crew during WWII, as you walk the decks and explore the belly of the North Carolina.

9. Carolina Beach State Park – Carolina Beach, NC. With fishing and sailing, and miles of hiking trails (where you may encounter the rare Venus flytrap) and golden beaches, this shocking park is a coastal paradise.

Whether you opt to explore one attraction or one or two, North Carolina has many great B&Bs to select from. And with a knowledgeable concierge staff to help you during your stay, you can make the maximum of your time at every destination.

Visit us at the Reynolds Mansion, #1 ranked Asheville B&B, offering specials and packages for the Biltmore Estate.