Located on the southern Atlantic Coast, North Carolina is one of American's original 13 colonies. Composed of more than 53,000 square feet of land, North Carolina offers historical towns and unique geography, including coastal plains and mountain ranges. The state is home to one of the country's largest Native American populations and also is a popular destination for skiing, hiking, fishing, golfing and swimming. The "Tar Heel state" offers Southern hospitality and is filled with culture and attractions for everyone.
Raleigh was named the capital of North Carolina in 1788 and is one of the most populous cities in the Tar Heel state. Famed for its oak trees, Raleigh is often referred to as the "City of Oaks." The city is filled with tourist destinations. Visitors can take in museums of art, history and natural sciences or see an NHL hockey game--the Carolina Hurricanes, winners of the 2006 Stanley Cup, call Raleigh home and play at the RBC Center. History buffs won't want to miss tours of the North Carolina State Capital Building and the Executive Mansion, home of North Carolina's governor. A unique way to soak in Raleigh's history is taking a Segway tour of the downtown area.
Charlotte was settled in the 1750s and is often referred to as "The Queen's City" or "The Hornet's Nest." The largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte is a popular vacation spot. Visitors can learn all about Charlotte's rich history at the Levine Museum of the New South in Center City, which offers the exhibit "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers." More history abounds at Reed Gold Mine, the location of the first documented gold find in America. Visitors can learn about the gold rush and pan for their own treasures. Enjoy natural wonder at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, where those feeling brave can experience Class III and IV rapids on a whitewater river. While at the center, guests can also hike, enjoy bike trails or paddle on the Catawaba River.
Charlotte is NASCAR country, and racing enthusiasts can visit the Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Dale Earnhardt, Inc., which provide tours at no cost. You can also plan your vacation around professional sports teams. During basketball season, visitors can catch an NBA basketball game at the Time Warner Arena, home of the Charlotte Bobcats. During football season, visitors can attend NFL games at Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers.
Breathtaking views and outdoor activities are plentiful in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The terrain and scenery make the mountains a vacation haven. The range offers some of the highest peaks on the East Coast, including Mt. Mitchell, which stands more than 6,600 feet high. Hiking, camping, fishing, water tubing, bicycling and sightseeing are some of the things that await you at the Great Smoky Mountains, a popular national park with 276,000 acres. Known as "America's Favorite Drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway offers nearly 500 miles of scenic roads. Visitors can delight in the amazing views of the Appalachian Mountain chain year-round. Enjoy a mountain adventure at Grandfather Mountain, which stands nearly 6,000 feet high in Linville. Grandfather Mountain serves as a scenic travel location and nature preserve. The area is filled with native wildlife, including black bears, cougars, eagles and deer.
If golf is your game, than North Carolina is the place for you. According to www.visitnc.om, the Tar Heel state offers more than 400 golf courses. Take a swing at the historic Pinehurst resort, which dates back to the 1890s. Located at 80 Carolina Vista Drive in the Village of Pinehurst, this is a golfer's paradise, offering eight 18-hole golf courses on its 2,000 acres. Courses were designed by notables including Tom Fazio, Donald Ross and Bobby Jones. Brunswick County is known as the "Golf Coast," with more than 100 golf courses, including 30 championship courses, offering picturesque views along 45 miles of coastline. Designed by Davis Love III, the Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club in Chapel Hill was named as one of the top 40 new golf courses in the United States by Golfweek Magazine, according to the club's website.
North Carolina offers more than 300 miles of coastline for vacationers to visit. Walk the beaches and catch some rays while enjoying beautiful views. On Roanoke Island, stop at the largest aquarium in the state. It houses some of the aquatic creatures found on the coast, including alligators and sea turtles. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a sanctuary for recreation, and its 75 miles of landscape is constantly changing due to tides, wind and storms. A crown jewel of the area is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which stands more than 200 feet tall and is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. The coast offers other attractions worth visiting, including the Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens in New Bern, which date back to the 1760s, and North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, which displays fossils and sea shells that demonstrate the vast history of the coast's resources.
