North Carolina Travel Guide

North Carolina Travel: General Information

There is not a hint of doubt that Nature has been overtly-bounteous with its gifts in making North Carolina a tourist heaven – if mountain scenery dominates the western part, its eastern side is bordered by immaculate beaches (and then there is the Outer Banks region defined by a thin band of sandy islands). Once you look beyond North Carolina’s mesmerizing scenery of mountains, valleys, waterfalls, streams, rivers, forestlands and seashores, the state will beguile you with its other aspects.

If the historic sites introduce you to the history of the land at various points in time, the state’s many amusement parks, gardens and golf-courses reflect an organized effort at promoting tourism. Cultural centers like Asheville and Wilmington feature among tourism destinations, as do the university-towns like Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. North Carolina is the favorite among outdoor enthusiasts with its multiple attractions of beach activities, biking, hiking, skiing and different water-sports. Dining-out and shopping escapades are other things you will enjoy in North Carolina.

North Carolina Travel: Key Facts

Capital City: Raleigh

Area: 139,509 sq km

Population: 9,222,414

Monetary Unit: USD

Official Language: English

International Dialing Code: 001

North Carolina Travel: Popular Tourist Destinations

Raleigh: Raleigh, besides being the capital city, is part of the Research Triangle Metropolitan Region (along with Chapel Town and Durham). A well-planned city with oak-lined boulevards, Raleigh’s landmarks include the Greek-Revival style State Capitol building, its many museums like the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Museum of History, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh City Museum and the grand structures of its educational institutes like North Carolina State University and Shaw University. And then, there is North Carolina’s infectious nightlife for you.

Asheville: One of the world’s top tourist destinations, Ashville is as much famous for scenic beauty as it is for its cultural scenario. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville’s attractions include Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville Botanical Gardens, Sliding Rock, etc. the city’s architectural marvels like the Ashville City Hall and the Biltmore House and the landmark sculptures. Music-lovers and artistically-inclined people have enough excitement packed for them in the city’s many galleries, opera companies, symphony orchestra and blue/jazz/rock music shows. There is something for the adventure-freaks as well – you can try a little fly-fishing, golfing, hiking or rafting. Asheville is not exactly a shopper’s paradise, but it is quite the place to pick up some souvenirs.

Wilmington: Standing by the Cape Fear River, Wilmington has a perfectly picturesque setting – a setting that has been used for film and television productions. Of course, the city’s cultural aspect manifests itself in many other ways – the city hosts its own film-festivals and has many museums, music venues as well as other performing arts centers. Wilmington’s historic sites like Sunset park Historic District and attractions like Fort Fisher Aquarium are present among the must-see sights. Wilmington’s beach-activities and water-sports are hugely popular among the tourists, but the gourmand’s paradise is loved for its varied fares – ‘barbecue’, which essentially means pit-cooked pork and other delicacies. At Wilmington, shop for funky jewelry and clothing!

North Carolina Travel: Economy and Infrastructure

Agriculture has always been the base of North Carolina’s economy and it is the nation’s top tobacco producing state; other agricultural products include cattle and dairy products, poultry and eggs, soybean, etc. Industries, especially manufacturing industries like furniture-making, textile industries, electrical appliances and electronic-goods producers also contribute to the state’s economy. North Carolina has some mineral resources and is the leading-producer of mica and lithium. NC Tourism also earns the state good revenues as does the now booming banking-sector and hi-tech industries.

North Carolina is served by a number of Interstate Highways, U.S. Routes and State Routes. Air and Railway linkages are more than adequate. Transportation services are provided by Amtrak and other public transport systems like buses, commuter rails, light rails, trolleys, etc.

North Carolina Travel: Culture

North Carolinians are very cultured and they patronize arts – be it fine arts or performing arts or literature. North Carolina has gifted the world with artists and authors of caliber. Of course, here it needs to be emphasized that variety is the essence of North Carolina’s culture. Actually, North Carolina has been home to various people – be it Native Americans or immigrant Irish and Scots or African communities and this mixed populace of North Carolina has placed it way ahead of other states when it comes to reviewing the wealth of its cultural offerings.