North Carolina is a beautiful historical state, with a stunning Atlantic Ocean coastline, gorgeous mountains, and deep green forests. There are beaches, lakes, and rivers for water lovers and major urban centers with trendy restaurants and shops for more urban-dwellers.
There are also countless small towns with quieter lifestyles. Essentially, North Carolina has something for everyone. It is one of the ten most populous states in the country for a reason: it has a lot to offer. From big cities, like Charlotte and Raleigh, to smaller towns like Asheboro and Wilson, North Carolina can accommodate any lifestyle.
Narrowing down the litany of great areas in North Carolina is no easy task. There are too many to name. We’ve helped by compiling some of the numerous incredible areas in North Carolina, giving you a sense of what’s out there in this great state.
Central N.C
Central North Carolina is a loosely defined stretch of land, but it covers various incredible areas. While primarily known for Raleigh and Durham, two large metropolitan areas right near each other, there are tons of hidden gems in this region.
For starters, opposite Durham, you can find Chapel Hill. While Durham plays home to the Duke Blue Devils, Chapel Hill is known as the University of North Carolina campus site. Chapel Hill is a pretty college town with a massive student population. It is a young and vibrant community, and the city is filled with bars, shops, and entertainment.
Not far west from Chapel Hill, you’ll find Winston Salem and High Point. These two mid-sized cities are right next to each other, and both have a ton to offer. Winston Salem is well-known for its top-notch cultural offerings. It has numerous wineries and craft breweries, delicious restaurants, and historical sites.
High Point is a great city with countless outdoor adventure opportunities and a very walkable downtown area. It is also a shopping center. High Point is the center of the home furnishing world, with 100 furniture stores and outlets in the city, including the world’s biggest furniture store.
Near High Point, you’d find Burlington, a small city of roughly 50,000. It is just north of the Cane Creek Mountain range, so great hiking is easily accessible. Burlington is a great place to raise a family with numerous parks, animal observation centers, and important historical sites, like the Alamance Battleground State Historic Site.
Due south of Chapel Hill sits Fayetteville, a city of over 200,000. While it is best known as a military town due to the presence of Fort Bragg within the city limits, Fayetteville is much more than that. Fayetteville has many great attractions that make for perfect ways to spend a day, including the riverside Cape Fear Botanical Garden and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. It is an all-American city beloved by residents and visitors alike.
Southern and Eastern N.C
While Central North Carolina probably has the largest concentration of cities and towns in the state, both Southern and Eastern North Carolina have some incredible areas that are well worth checking out.
Outside of Charlotte on the South-Central part of the state, you’ll find Concord and Mooresville. Concord is a mid-sized city of 96,000, only a short drive away from Charlotte. One of the town’s big claims to fame is that it is home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a prominent racing center for NASCAR and other motorsports. Historic downtown Concord is also a picturesque area with great shops and restaurants.
In Mooresville, you’re slightly removed from the Charlotte crowds. Mooresville is a small town of less than 40,000, with a real suburban feel. Mooresville is located on Lake Norman, making it an excellent place for boating lovers, and it has top-notch golf courses within striking distance.
Further East, you can check out Jacksonville. Not to be confused with the Florida city, Jacksonville, N.C, is a waterfront city of just over 70,000. Known as the site of Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine training base on the East Coast, Jacksonville is a family-friendly city with excellent boating, restaurants, and a variety of sites dedicated to honoring the military.
To the North-West of Jacksonville, Rocky Mount sits. Rocky Mount is a short drive from Greenville, one of the bigger cities in the area, but it is a small town of roughly 50,000. Rocky Mount is a quieter town that still has a ton of incredible sights for families and adults alike. There’s the Tar River Trail, a beautiful trail along the Tar River, as well as the Rocky Mount Children’s Museum and Science Center. For older crowds, head to the Tar River Flea Market or Koi Pond Brewing Company.
