2023 About North Carolina

North Carolina is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and South Carolina to the south, and Tennessee to the west.

Cradle of Forestry:  Brochure.  Nestled below the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Pisgah National Forest is the birthplace of forestry in America – the Cradle of Forestry. The Cradle abounds with ways to have fun while learning about the forest, traditional Blue Ridge culture, and forest management. Paved trails – perfect for strollers and wheelchairs – put the forest at your fingertips.

This 6,500-acre site in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, NC was established to “preserve, develop, and make available to this and future generations the birthplace of forestry and forestry education in America.” The Cradle of Forestry in America is nestled in the Pisgah National Forest along the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.  Our trails offer visitors a chance to explore seven historical buildings from the time of the Biltmore Forest School (1898-1914), climb aboard and ring the bell of a 1914 Climax logging train engine, and interact with historical interpreters through programs and special events. Inside our Discovery Center you’ll find our gift shop bursting with nature-themed books, clothing, toys and crafts, a spacious theater playing a short film about the history of our site, and an interactive exhibit hall.

Directions:  From Asheville, NC, keep right at the fork to continue on I-26 E. Take exit 40 for North Carolina 280/Asheville Reg’l Arpt toward Arden. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for WNC Agriculture Ctr/Airport and merge onto NC-280 W/Airport Rd/New Arpt Rd. Merge onto NC-280 W/Airport Rd/New Arpt Rd. Continue to follow NC-280 W. Pass by Taco Bell (on the right in 15.8 mi). Turn right onto US-276 N. Turn right onto Cradle Dr.  11250 Pisgah Hwy. Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

Great Smoky Mountains National Park:  Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.  Located just 55 miles from Asheville, within 1-1/2 hour drive of five key entrances.  Cataloochee is the closest place to see from Asheville.  A visit to Cataloochee is like walking back into the early nineteenth century. Walk into the old school house and see the initials of the students carved into the desks.  You can drive from Asheville, through the National Park, all the way over into Gatlinburg, Tennessee, stopping in Cherokee, NC.  Places to go in the Smoky Mountains:  Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, Clingman’s Dome, Deep Creek, Foothills Parkway, Mountain Farm Museum, Elkmont Area, Roaring Fork

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center:  Situated in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina, the structure’s initial purpose was NASA astronaut training

Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington –  Also known as the USS North Carolina, is moored in Wilmington, retired after a long and historic career.  The ship was commissioned on the 9th of April in 1941 and was the first of the American fleet’s 10 World War II battleships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chimney Rock State Park:  Chimney Rock State Park is a North Carolina state park in Chimney Rock, Rutherford County, North Carolina in the United States. The 8,014-acre park is located 25 miles southeast of Asheville.  It is a nature lover’s paradise with a collaboration of spectacular views and incredible hiking trails.

Lake Lure:  One of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the country, Lake Lure is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Located about 27 miles from Asheville, Lake Lure sits in the Hickory Nut Gorge, surrounded by lush mountain tops and sheer granite cliffs. Nearby is the famous Chimney Rock. It has been a filming location for scenes from the movies Thunder Road, Dirty Dancing, A Breed Apart, The Last of the Mohicans, and Firestarter.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh – Exhibits on NC’s geology, flora & fauna, plus fossil collections, 3D films & live-animal programs.

Linville Gorge Wilderness: Linville Falls – The Linville Gorge Wilderness is the third largest wilderness area in North Carolina and one of only two wilderness gorges in the Southern United States. Maintained by the United States Forest Service, it comprises 11,786 acres around the Linville River, and is situated inside the Pisgah National Forest

Grandfather Mountain, Swinging Bridge Nature Preserve, Linville – Grandfather Mountain is a place of amazing biodiversity and scenic beauty that towers 5,946 feet above northwest North Carolina. A part of the United Nations’ Southern Appalachian Biosphere Reserve, the mountain is estimated to be 300 million years old — with certain rock formations dating back 1.2 billion years. Guests to the attraction pay an admission fee to drive their own vehicles through the park, stopping along the way to enjoy a variety of activities, such as native wildlife exhibits, the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, hiking trails and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge that connects two peaks at one mile above sea level. The primary allure is the exhilarating feeling of being on top of the world while looking out across views of mountain ridge after mountain ridge cascading to the horizon, made easily accessible via a paved road to the 5,300-foot elevation on Grandfather’s peaks. The other two thirds of the wild and undeveloped sections of Grandfather Mountain are owned by the state of North Carolina. Accessible only on foot, visitors to Grandfather Mountain State Park can hike several miles of rugged alpine trails that lead across or around rock walls and pinnacles (often with the aid of cables and ladders) through high-elevation terrain unlike any other in the Southeast.

North Caroloina Zoo, Ashboro – The North Carolina Zoo is a zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, housing 1,800 animals of more than 250 species, primarily representing Africa and North America. Being the world’s largest natural habitat zoo means the animals here have plenty of room to roam.

 Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills – Wright Brothers National Memorial is the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright spent years working on the mysteries of flight, the place where they first successfully flew (December 17, 1903) and the place where the nation commemorates and celebrates their historic achievement. Here, you can visit the locations where Wilbur and Orville Wright changed the world.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Buxton – Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a United States national seashore which preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island, stretching over 70 miles

 

Outer Banks:  The Outer Banks are barrier islands off the coast of the U.S. state of North Carolina, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland. Their open-sea beaches, state parks and shipwreck diving sites make them a popular holiday destination. Roanoke Island was the site of England’s first settlement in the New World, an endeavor sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park: Nags Head – The park is home to the tallest living sand dune along the Atlantic coast. Apart from the sand and the sea, you’ll enjoy the 360 foot boardwalk and the spectacular views of the ocean and Roanoke Sound in the distance.

Nascar Hall of Fame, Charlotte – The NASCAR Hall of Fame, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, honors drivers who have shown expert skill at NASCAR driving, all-time great crew chiefs and owners, broadcasters and other major contributors to competition within the sanctioning body.

 

 

North Carolina Aquarium – North Carolina Aquariums is a system of three public aquariums located in Kure Beach, Roanoke Island and Pine Knoll Shores.

 

 

 

Dupont State Forest:  Cedar Mountain – DuPont State Recreational Forest, commonly known as DuPont Forest, is a 12,500-acre state forest, located in Henderson and Transylvania counties of North Carolina. The name originates from the fact that the DuPont company arranged the sale of the original tract to the state.  It is the most opportune place to spot blue ghost fireflies.  Visitors often come for views of falling water and lush forest growth – with popular attractions including High Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site:  Flat Rock – Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, located at 81 Carl Sandburg Lane near Hendersonville in the village of Flat Rock, North Carolina, preserves Connemara, the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Carl Sandburg

 

Sarah P. Duke Gardens:  Durham – The Sarah P. Duke Gardens consist of approximately 55 acres of landscaped and wooded areas at Duke University located in Durham, North Carolina. There are 5 miles of allées, walks, and pathways throughout the gardens.

Moores Creek National Battlefield, Currie – In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, British Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with cannons and muskets poised to fire. This battle marked the last broadsword charge by Scottish Highlanders and the first significant victory for the Patriots in the American Revolution.

Waterfalls: While the majority of these waterfalls are located in Western North Carolina (especially near Asheville and in the High Country), you will be surprised to see a couple that are easily reachable via day trips from either Charlotte or Raleigh and/or Durham in Central North Carolina.