North Carolina Things to Do

The Appalachian Trail, under the direction of the National Park Service, is a 2,175-mile primitive hiking trail that runs from Maine to Georgia. Approximately 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail run through North Carolina.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy whose regional office location is listed here works to conserve the trail for present and future use. The trail goes through western North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest (5,300 feet above sea level) and through the Great Smoky... More

The Appalachian Trail, under the direction of the National Park Service, is a 2,175-mile primitive hiking trail that runs from Maine to Georgia. Approximately 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail run through North Carolina.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy whose regional office location is listed here works to conserve the trail for present and future use. The trail goes through western North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest (5,300 feet above sea level) and through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Clingman's Dome, the park's highest peak at 6,643 feet above sea level.

The Asheville Art Museum is the only visual arts museum serving the 24 counties of western North Carolina.

Incorporated by artists in 1948, the museum collects, preserves and interprets American art of the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on work of southeastern significance. Their collection contains more than 2,000 objects and 4,000 architectural drawings. More

The Asheville Art Museum is the only visual arts museum serving the 24 counties of western North Carolina.

Incorporated by artists in 1948, the museum collects, preserves and interprets American art of the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on work of southeastern significance. Their collection contains more than 2,000 objects and 4,000 architectural drawings.

During the 90-minute fully narrated trolley tour of the greater Asheville area, visitors can discover major points of interest including author Thomas Wolfe's home; Biltmore Village, a shopping district, downtown's Grove Arcade, the Grove Park Inn with its massive fireplace and magnificent view, and Victorian-era homes in the Montford Historic District. Guests are invited to spend time at the various stops and rejoin the tour throughout the day.

During a 60-90 minute ghost tour on... More

During the 90-minute fully narrated trolley tour of the greater Asheville area, visitors can discover major points of interest including author Thomas Wolfe's home; Biltmore Village, a shopping district, downtown's Grove Arcade, the Grove Park Inn with its massive fireplace and magnificent view, and Victorian-era homes in the Montford Historic District. Guests are invited to spend time at the various stops and rejoin the tour throughout the day.

During a 60-90 minute ghost tour on Saturday evenings, learn about the city's dark side.

While many visitors often think of the estate as solely the Biltmore House, the largest home in America, in actuality admission also includes access to the gardens designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted that adjoin the house, as well as a visit to the winery that occupies a former dairy barn.

The 8,000-acre estate, home to the River Bend Farm, continues to maintain strong ties with the land as their vineyards produce award-winning wines. From the house and... More

While many visitors often think of the estate as solely the Biltmore House, the largest home in America, in actuality admission also includes access to the gardens designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted that adjoin the house, as well as a visit to the winery that occupies a former dairy barn.

The 8,000-acre estate, home to the River Bend Farm, continues to maintain strong ties with the land as their vineyards produce award-winning wines. From the house and gardens see the Pisgah National Forest in the distance, once also part of George Vanderbilt's estate and home to the very first forest school in the United States.

Allow two-hours to tour the house. Restaurants and shops are available, plus a number of additional activities - biking, rafting, hiking, horseback riding and a guided float trip on the French Broad River.

Year-round the Biltmore celebrates the seasons - flowers in the springtime, autumn colors and Christmas.

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway begins at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park west of Asheville and traverses east and north to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The scenery in and around Asheville is especially spectacular. The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

Points of interest near Asheville:

The Linn Cove Viaduct at milepost (MP) 304.4 was the last segment of the parkway to be completed.... More

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway begins at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park west of Asheville and traverses east and north to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The scenery in and around Asheville is especially spectacular. The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

Points of interest near Asheville:
The Linn Cove Viaduct at milepost (MP) 304.4 was the last segment of the parkway to be completed.

Owners of Grandfather Mountain fought to make sure the roadway was constructed in the least obtrusive way, so as to protect the land and nature. While photos of this section of the roadway are often used to promote the parkway, travelers are prohibited from stopping on the viaduct. It's a quick trip across so enjoy the view. Just to its south is a visitor center with a trail leading below the bridge. View the road from a different perspective.

Linville Falls at MP 316.4 is one of the larger and more popular facilities along the parkway with camping, picnicking, a visitor center and hiking trails. View the gorge from above and below.

Mount Mitchell, located within a North Carolina State Park, is the highest point east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet above sea level.

Craggy Gardens, located at MP 364.6, 25 miles north of Asheville, has a number of hiking trails including a nature path, picnic areas and a visitor center.

The Folk Art Center, said to be the most popular attraction on the parkway at MP 382 showcases contemporary and traditional work of members of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild - everything from quilts to glass - specifically from the southern Appalachians region. Some weekends performing artists are featured; from March to December crafts demonstrations are scheduled.

Views of Mount Pisgah in the Pisgah National Forest can also be seen on the way to the Cradle of Forestry. This is the site where George Vanderbilt established the first forest school for his Biltmore estate. It is easily accessed from the parkway near MP 411.

Early summer is a colorful time along the parkway as rhododendrons are in bloom. Fall is also colorful. Hours: daily dusk to dawn.

Note: always check their website, as weather conditions and the time of year may result in road closures.

The Colburn Earth Science Museum fosters an appreciation of earth and its mineral resources. Exhibits showcase astronomy and meteorology, North Carolina mining, 5,500 minerals and gems from the museum's backyard to around the world, and paleontology. More

The Colburn Earth Science Museum fosters an appreciation of earth and its mineral resources. Exhibits showcase astronomy and meteorology, North Carolina mining, 5,500 minerals and gems from the museum's backyard to around the world, and paleontology.

Durham's most popular tourist attraction, the Duke University Chapel, built in 1930, is a prime example of neo-Gothic architecture in English style and represents one of the last great collegiate Gothic projects in the United States. It features three organs - a Flentrop, considered the chapel's most significant organ, an Aeolian, which was installed in 1932, and a Brombaugh, a recent addition. The tower houses a 50-bell carillon that is played before each Sunday worship service and every weekday at 5:00 p.m. There are 77 stained-glass windows depicting every major scene in the Bible.... More

Durham's most popular tourist attraction, the Duke University Chapel, built in 1930, is a prime example of neo-Gothic architecture in English style and represents one of the last great collegiate Gothic projects in the United States. It features three organs - a Flentrop, considered the chapel's most significant organ, an Aeolian, which was installed in 1932, and a Brombaugh, a recent addition. The tower houses a 50-bell carillon that is played before each Sunday worship service and every weekday at 5:00 p.m. There are 77 stained-glass windows depicting every major scene in the Bible. The chapel is interdenominational serving the university community. Sunday morning worship services are held at 11:00 a.m. During the school year, there are numerous concerts and recitals.