Not sure what to do on your next vacation? Check out this list of the top 14 activities in North Carolina, USA that you won’t want to miss! From strolling around and exploring parks, all the way up through sightseeing tours and historical landmarks – we’ve got something for everyone. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
The Best Thing To Do in North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Address: United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.9 (46478)
- Phone: +1 865-436-1200
- Website: Link
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Top 14 Things To Do North Carolina, USA

Biltmore
- Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (28962)
- Phone: +1 800-411-3812
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
Beautiful estate. You won’t regret. Wear very comfortable shoes, there is lots and lots of walking. Plenty of places to grab a quick bite or dine. To save few bucks bring your own food but you will have to leave it in your car. No big backpacks are allowed inside the house. You can easily spend 4-6 hours without realizing when the time went. The price may seems little high but it’s worth every penny.By Anna Kalinowski (6 months ago)Very beautiful and historic place. I think the tickets are a bit expensive for what it is, but still worth checking out at least once. The gardens weren’t full bloom when we went, but still pretty. The estate itself is the most interesting part to me. The library is a dream and the dining hall is huge. The guides tell you interesting facts and stories if you ask. Everyone was happy to be there. Complimentary wine tasting was great, definitely schedule a time for that.By April Rudolph (2 months ago)I enjoyed this experience much more than I was expecting. The whole property is so elegant and well maintained. We had a lot of fun visiting the shops for candy and mementos. They have a lot of options. The Christmas decor was amazing and the audio tour is a must. They give you a small device that you easily use for each room and get all the history. Yes, this is over the top but that’s the entire point. It’s the most incredible house you’ll ever see and I’m so happy they’ve maintained it this well!By David A. (2 months ago)Amazing Tour. There’s a lot of walking to do indoors and outdoors. The self guided audio tour of the house explains everything you need to know about the house. You can take your time and learn. I went on a Sunday and it was busy, so if you can go during the week, do it. There are amazing walking trails around and the winery.
Highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.By Chamal Mediwaka (4 months ago)Beautiful! Pricey for a tour, but its gorgeous! We got the audio tour which I high recommend, we went when they were decorated for Christmas and I am so happy we did. For us this is a once in a lifetime thing to see it and it was so worth it! Beautiful mansion on and even more beautiful view of the land they own. The drive to the house was long but beautiful! The food was pretty good and the little shops are adorable!By Samantha Thompson (9 months ago)
Battleship North Carolina
- Address: 1 Battleship Rd NE, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (8464)
- Phone: +1 910-399-9100
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
Great piece of history to tour and see what the greatest generation was apart of. You are able to take tours or go and your own pace. You can feel how cramped a battleship that size is that would hold 2000 people. This is great for young and old to enjoy an hour or more of seeing something amazing in an amazing era of industrial age.By Steven C Price (5 months ago)I cannot decide if this is the most massive ship I’ve ever been on or if the incredible access to everything just makes it seem so. So many decks to explore and I love the way that there is a balance between the military operations and everyday life of the ship. The memories and quotes from the servicemen really bring to life what it was like to live and work on this vessel. We spent 3 hours touring Deck After Deck. Incredible!By R Hill (3 months ago)One of a kind ship with a great tour route. I’ve been to several ship museums and this was outstanding. Very well maintained. The upper decks were closed because the mast was being restored but even so the tour route allowed you to wander all through the ship and each compartment was very well displayed. What is cool is that the ship remains primarily in WW2 configuration, and the (I think) Measure 33 camouflage is awesome. I was lucky and got a ticket to view the Azalea festival fireworks from the deck- closest thing to watching a shore bombardment you could get I suppose. Job Well Done to those that served and continue to serve on the ship.By CSL (9 months ago)Such an awesome place In Wilmington. Really cool to see a piece of history like this. The tour was very cool with everywhere you go the people give you information about the different parts of the ship and what the sailors and people did on the battleship. The admission wasn’t a bad price and it was a huge ship. So many things to look at. And the battleship shop was cool as well having a lot of different things in it. We bought a navy sticker for my dad who served in the Navy for 4 years.By Team 7 Channel (3 months ago)Outstanding! The Showboat. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. So much technology and history! I have wanted to visit since the first time I saw her crossing the bridge to Wilmington in ’95. Why did I wait?
I have been on a few museum ships and this is one of the best.
Be sure to check out the turret decks and slip into the turret itself too.By Ed Komasara (4 months ago)
Pullen Park
- Address: 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (7125)
Wright Brothers National Memorial
- Address: 1000 N Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (7033)
Grandfather Mountain State Park
- Address: 9872 Highway 105 South, Banner Elk, NC 28604, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (5526)
Uwharrie National Forest
- Address: 789 North Carolina 24, Troy, NC 27371, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (3434)
Poplar Point Campground
- Address: 558 Beaver Creek Rd, Apex, NC 27502, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (2067)
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- Address: 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (1821)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Address: Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (1015)
Carolina Tiger Rescue
- Address: 1940 Hanks Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (581)
Linville Gorge Wilderness
- Address: Marion, NC 28752, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (195)
Ebenezer Church Recreation Area
- Address: 2582 Beaver Creek Rd, Apex, NC 27523, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (60)
Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
- Address: 2832 Big Woods Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (24)
That’s it for our list of the best things to do in North Carolina! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers too!
This amazing park is home to a thousand black bears. In winter when I went the bears were hibernating, so ducks, deer and elk were the wildlife we saw. Winter here makes the park as beautiful as in other seasons but with completely different and unexpected views of nature and the landscape. Amazing!
We had a great time here. Stopped at the gift shop, Hiked a couple trails and drove through and saw alot of the park. Very cool place!
This is an amazing park with so much to do. It’s no wonder the park is packed in the summer.
We were here in the spring, mid-April, and it was amazing. The green undergrowth was amazing and provided an assuredly different view than if we’d gone in summer or fall.
The park staff was amazing at each encounter, especially the volunteers. Every hike we did provided different experiences and views to enjoy. And best of all, despite all we did there was so much we didn’t do and look forward to future returns to tick those things off.
If you’re planning a visit, be sure to pick up the guide pamphlets for $1 or so each, the wealth of information is amazing in helping to plan your experience. There are also plenty of picnic areas to choose from, so packing a lunch to enjoy at them is a great idea.
We can’t wait to go back.
I loved the little pull offs & all the amazing views. We walked down to the creeks & fished (appropriate licenses must be bought). Bought tubes & floated down the creeks a few times… didn’t see any big wild life this time but have seen elk & bears in the past… relaxing little get away
What can one say about a National Park?
More than I can type here. Everywhere we went was kept very clean and had no issues.
The hiking trails are generally well kept and safe.
The rest areas have clean bathrooms and the roads are excellent.
We enjoyed our time in the southern part of the park very much and will be back again.
Be ready to use your brakes and steering wheel a lot while traveling the mountainous roads!