North Carolina has the seventh-largest coastline in the United States, with 3,375 coastline miles, as measured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). According to the North Carolina Beach, Inlet, and Waterway Association, the Tar Heel state ranked fifth in the nation for domestic visitation in 2021.
The Official 2024 North Carolina Travel Guide caters to travelers interested in the natural wonders, NASCAR events, small-town festivals, mountain biking, and golf getaways that the Old North State has to offer. The free guide features more than 150 towns and cities, highlighting nearly 350 attractions, restaurants, lodging options, and events.
“The 2024 Guide embodies the ‘For Real, Visit NC’ brand,” says Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit North Carolina. “Travel is less about checkmarks on a bucket list than connections to authentic places and people. It’s about the freedom to explore, experience, and discover. Our state motto — esse quam videri — translates as ‘to be, rather than to seem,’ and there’s no better place than North Carolina for travelers to live in the moment and leave enriched.”
Visitation to North Carolina
“We got married on the beach in Nags Head in North Carolina, and it’s one of my favorite beaches in the country,” says Alex Caspero, a registered dietitian at Delish Knowledge. “Unlike other East Coach beaches, there are no high-rise hotels blocking the views of the ocean or loud boardwalks– just beautiful, sand dune beaches. We typically rent a house when we stay there as we prefer to stay longer than a few nights, and therefore, a house rental is much more economical.”
Caspero adds, “No trip to Nags Head is complete without a visit to Mama Kwans! The blackened fish tacos are a must, along with a frosty Bushwacker for cooling down.”
NASCAR Roots Run Deep
NASCAR and North Carolina have a long, entwined history. Some of the circuit’s earliest races took place in Wilkes County in the late 1940s at places such as North Wilkesboro Speedway. More than 15 years after the first NASCAR race at the speedway, Rockingham Speedway opened and played host to events like the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Subway 400 from 1966 to 2004.
Since its opening in 1960, the Charlotte Motor Speedway has served as the site of the Coca-Cola 600. It also ran more than 30 years of the NASCAR All-Star Race and currently offers adventure seekers test drives in a real race car.
Since 2010, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte has been a must-see museum for racing fans. Not only can visitors learn about the sport’s drivers and signature cars, but the Pit Crew Challenge also tests if one can change a tire with an air gun and fill a fuel tank before the timer runs out.
Mountain Biking Offers Scenic Views
One way to get up close and personal with the scenic views offered by North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains and Black Mountains is mountain biking. There are quite a few trails across the state, but some of the more popular can be found at the Tsali Recreation Area. Named for a Cherokee tribal member, the recreation area snakes off into 40 miles of trails that provide views of Fontana Lake and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. You’ll also find options in cities like Asheville, home to Mount Mitchell.
You can also trek down the Butter Gap Trail in Bedford, which features a scenic ride along Grogan Creek and a waterfall, or save your energy for the Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park. This Boone-based retreat features five main trails, including the Middle-earth Trail, the Boat Rock Loop, and the PBJ Jump Trail. In the latter, PBJ stands for pumps, berms, and jumps.
Above-Par Golf Courses
North Carolina has a history of hosting important professional golf tournaments and attracts players of all skill levels. The state’s courses located on the coast, in the mountains, and in the Piedmont region are above par when compared to most public courses.
Oyster Bay Golf Links at Sunset Beach features island greens as part of the course. You might even see an alligator eyeballing you from the surrounding waters. Another favorite is the Donald Ross-designed Pinehurst Resort, which has hosted more golf championships than any other course in America. The redesigned Waynesville Inn & Golf Club is also recommended for its views of the Great Smoky Mountains and a Himalayas-style putting course.
Small-Town Festivals Celebrate Local Pride
North Carolina boasts numerous annual festivals celebrating uniquely specific aspects of some of the state’s small towns. May’s White Squirrel Weekend in Brevard is where locals raise a glass at the beer garden to the town’s signature white squirrels. Look for the squirrely critters as you explore the food court, concert stage, and art walk.
In September, Mayberry Days in Mount Airy honors Andy Griffith, who was born there in 1926. Highlights include a porkchop-eating contest at Snappy Lunch, musical performances, and a parade featuring vintage squad cars and surviving actors from The Andy Griffith Show.
October’s quirky Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk is a large event that attracts 20,000 visitors. In addition to food and craft vendors, the main draw is the woolly worms, the colorful caterpillars that are believed by some to predict upcoming winter temperatures and precipitation.
Serene Lodging Options
North Carolina offers numerous restful retreats and lodging accommodations, many of which seem to blend in with their natural surroundings. The cabins of the Mirror Hotel in Marshall are encased in reflective panels that mirror the forest and surrounding terrain to make them virtually invisible.
Guests of the Bramabella in Moravian Falls have described the five-bedroom, three-bath home sitting on 40 acres as the Garden of Eden. The property includes a hillside vineyard, butterfly garden, blueberry orchard, and a stream with waterfalls. Those wondering what living like an Ewok in the sixth Star Wars entry, Return of the Jedi, should check in to the Cashie River Tree Houses in Windsor. An elevated walkway connects the four tree houses situated alongside the Cashie River.
The 112-page Official 2024 North Carolina Travel Guide is available at any of the state’s nine Welcome Centers or online and will help further plan the ideal getaway to include any of these options or even more from The Tar Heel State.
