North Carolina

If music feeds your soul, North Carolina is your kind of place. After all, it’s the birthplace of bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs and jazz legends Thelonious Monk and Nina Simone! Follow the Blue Ridge Music Trails, catch live gigs in iconic concert halls, outdoor theatres, or beachside bars, and experience everything from foot-stomping bluegrass and breezy blues to smooth jazz and indie rock. In North Carolina, music’s not just background noise. It’s tradition, storytelling, and soul, woven into the heart of the state. 

Get your taste buds ready, North Carolina’s food scene is packed with bold Southern flavours and local gems. Feast on the state’s two iconic styles of barbecue and become a part of the vinegar-based versus tomato-kissed debate, or enjoy the simplicity of fresh oysters from the coast and hearty comfort food done right. And don’t forget to try a hot Krispy Kreme, born right here in Winston-Salem! From food trucks and seafood shacks to fine dining and farmers markets, every bite is served with a side of warm hospitality.  

Love the great outdoors? This is nature at its wildest and most wonderful! Stretching from the Great Smoky Mountains in the west to 320 miles of coastline in the east, North Carolina’s outdoors invites you to find your epic outdoor adventure. Drive the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway, hike forested trails deep in the Smoky Mountains or spot wild horses on the Outer Banks. With National Parks packed with ziplining, mountain biking, kiteboarding and more, North Carolina is a paradise for nature lovers and thrill seekers alike. 

Escape to the peace and beauty of North Carolina’s mountain region, where forested peaks, waterfalls and trout streams set the scene. To the north, the High Country promises spectacular year-round hikes, winter sports, summertime tubing and vineyard excursions. In Asheville and the surrounding foothills, sit the beloved Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway, breweries, and cascading waterfalls. To the southwest, the Smoky Mountains and Cherokee region open up splendid vistas, fly-fishing, rafting, and the opportunity to learn the rich heritage of the ancestral home of the Cherokees. 

Right in the middle of the state, the Piedmont region blends big city excitement with rolling green landscapes. In Charlotte, catch a NASCAR race, sip craft beers, or enjoy family fun. Over in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill area, also known as the Research Triangle, you’ll find the prestigious Duke University, museums, and award-winning accommodations. Golf fans won’t want to miss Pinehurst, home to the World Golf Hall of Fame and over 40 top-class courses. Whereas for history buffs, a visit to Greensboro’s International Civil Rights Museum, where the first sit-in of the Civil Rights era occurred, is a must.  

For laid-back coastal vibes, North Carolina’s 300 miles of sun-soaked Atlantic shoreline, complete with dunes, natural areas, and lighthouses, is a dream come true. Here, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and kiteboarding fill your days while fresh seafood fills your appetite. Visit the famous Outer Banks, spot wild horses on Cape Lookout or discover the history of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. Dubbed “Hollywood East,” the region boasts over 400 TV and film productions and is the setting of many iconic works of Nicholas Sparks.