Six Stops to Make Your Next NC Road Trip Unforgettable 

North Carolina is a beautiful state and, we all know that I have a special affinity for this state since I lived there for a couple of years and Matt and I met there. It’s such a special state because it allows you to explore the beauty and activities of both the mountains and coastlines, and it’s filled with cultural gems along the way. All of these things come together to deliver an unforgettable road trip — especially if you take the time to visit these stops and attractions.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains makes for a stunning first stop on your journey through the state. If the weather permits, you can spend the day wandering through trails, but if it’s rainy, simply driving through the park will leave you in awe of the natural beauty. 

You’ll likely want to spend a whole day here (if not more) before getting on the road towards Asheville. Though, if you decide to spend a couple of days in the park, you can set up camp at the Smokemont Campground. 
Alternatively, you could find accommodations in town at a hotel like Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, where you can enjoy the thrill of the casino after a day of natural wonders. While you’ll be unlikely to find an in-person casino package comprising $200 free money as you would online, it’s still a great place to stay and play. 

Two Notable Stops Inside the Park:

Clingmans Dome Observation Tower: This is the highest point in the national park, making for a scenic drive and a stunning observation point. You can drive to the tower from April to November, just forty minutes from the Visitors Center. It’s only a half-mile to the top of the observation tower.

Mingo Falls: From the Visitors Center, you can head out on Pigeon Creek Trail. It’s a moderate 0.4-mile hike that takes you to the tallest waterfall in the National Park, Mingo Falls.

Up Next: Asheville, NC

After spending time in the famous national park, you can start making your way to Asheville. The city is known for its local-made art scene and many craft breweries. You’ll likely want to spend a couple of days here to give yourself enough time to appreciate the area.

Three Attractions to Have on Your Asheville Itinerary

Biltmore Estate: Biltmore is an 8,000-acre historic estate with stunning architecture and beautiful grounds, which you can tour on your own. If you’d rather spend your day shopping or relaxing at a spa, Biltmore also offers these. Regardless of how you spend your day, you can unwind in the evening with food and wine at the estate’s vineyard. Don’t forget, your ticket includes a wine tasting!

River Arts District: Asheville’s River Arts District is an industrial neighborhood turned art paradise. The buildings here are covered in colorful murals, and within them, you’ll discover art galleries and a vibrant coffee and food scene.

Blue Ridge Parkway: One of the most beautiful drives in the country cuts right through Asheville. Whether you want to do some of the best hikes near Asheville or just take a scenic drive, don’t miss out this experience.

Take on the “Big City” of Charlotte, NC

From Asheville, you’ll hop in the car and head towards Charlotte. Charlotte offers an assortment of exciting attractions, like the ones below, that make it a fun and unique destination. It’s a much bigger city and therefore offers up some things are unique to cities like larger museums along with great dining and brewery options.
Whitewater Center: This human-made whitewater river is a hub of activity from whitewater rafting to rock climbing. It gives you a place filled with outdoor adventure from within a big city.

NASCAR Hall of Fame: The NASCAR Hall of Fame has more than just driver stats; it celebrates all things NASCAR and even has racing simulators for visitors.
Carowinds: Carowinds is the go-to amusement park in the region and delivers an adrenaline-packed day with thrilling rollercoasters. It’s an unexpected change of pace from the rest of the road trip.

Head to the Coast at Wilmington, NC

Next up on the road trip is Wilmington, a city you’ve likely seen on the big screen, as it was the filming location for Iron Man 3 and the shows Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill. While you’re in the city, you can take in natural scenery and the Battleship North Carolina.

Airlie Gardens: This historic garden has roots dating back to the early 1700s and is known today for its Azalea Festival, which takes place in early April. 

Battleship North Carolina: This historic landmark is a restored World War II battleship that allows visitors to tour through its nine-level interior.

Wrightsville Beach: Just down the road from here, you’ll find Wrightsville Beach. It’s a beautiful coastline and a great spot to get in the ocean or to just enjoy a nice walk along the beach.

On to Raleigh, NC

From Wilmington, you’ll take a scenic drive to Raleigh, the state capital. Raleigh is home to many of the state’s major museums and historic sites. You’ll likely want a day or two here to see all the city offers. Below are a few places you’ll want to prioritize if you can’t stay in Raleigh long.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: This show-stopping museum features a living conservatory where you’ll encounter tropical plants and creatures like two-toed sloths and turtles.
North Carolina Museum of History: This museum explores the history of the State and includes a replica of the Wright Flyer, the plane built by the Wright Brothers. 

Historic Yates Mill County Park: This historic site has a functional gristmill, a type of mill that would have been used for grinding wheat and corn. It also has many hiking trails and a quiet park for a picnic.

Last Stop on this NC Road Trip is Outer Banks  

The Outer Banks is a coastal area filled with picturesque lighthouses and sandy beaches. This calming and stunning scenery makes it an enjoyable final stop for your road trip. It invites you to relax with a beach day or hike after all of your adventures through the state. Before you give in to rest and relaxation entirely, the Outer Banks also has a few sites and attractions you’ll want to check out, the two below most notably.

Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour: One of the few places you can encounter wild horses is on the Outer Banks, making it one of the top attractions in the area. You can take a guided tour that will allow you to get up close to the animals while learning more about them and the Outer Banks ecosystem.

Cape Hatteras Light Station: Cape Hatteras is the tallest lighthouse in the country and is well-known for its black-and-white stripes, which make it stand out on the horizon.

What Are You Waiting For? Start Making Memories

With this list of stops and attractions, you have a loose guide that will allow you to have a memorable trip through North Carolina. Just don’t forget to budget a little extra time for your driving days, as you’ll no doubt spot some unexpected places to stop along the way.