Because of the pandemic, we have spent the past few years stuck inside looking at screens all day, especially those of us who started working from home. Too much screen time has many side effects, and the best way to combat them now is to get out there and explore the world. North Carolina is an excellent place to get started with that journey. Since everyone has their preferences regarding tourist destinations, we will talk about some of the more historic and activity-related tourist destinations in North Carolina and opportunities to explore the beautiful nature of this state.
Old Salem
The district of Old Salem is a literal living museum. It hosts a recreation of what it was like to live in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina during the 18th and 19th centuries. Guests can interact with Old Salem’s “reenactors” and stroll the streets of this National Historic Landmark. By doing this, visitors can see and experience the interesting culture and various trades of the Moravian settlers who lived in this area first-hand.
Guests to Old Salem can, for example, watch shoemakers, gunsmiths, and tailors go about performing their respective services. In addition, some areas of Old Salem will also offer hands-on activities and workshops for visitors.
Battleship North Carolina – A unique experience
The USS North Carolina, currently located in Wilmington, was the first of 10 battleships that joined the American fleet in WWII. It was commissioned on April 9th, 1941. Even today, the ship is well armed. It features nine 16-inch, 45-caliber guns in three separate turrets and 20 five-inch, 38-caliber guns separated into ten twin mounts.
Even though this ship was once the most fantastic sea weapon in the world, today, its guns are quiet, and it has retired as one of the unique historical sights in North Carolina. To be able to get a true appreciation of the sheer power of this ship, you should roam its expansive deck to see the awe-inspiring guns up close. Of course, other areas of the ship are also open to visitors. Make sure to pop into the mess hall and take a tour of the sailors’ and officers’ quarters.
Charlotte
Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina. Because of this, it has a lot to offer visitors. Bearing the nickname Queen City, Charlotte is home to several of the best sights, including:
- The amusement park, Carowinds; the largest man-made whitewater park
- The US National Whitewater Center
- The family-friendly Discovery Place
- The NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Since Charlotte is also a vast commercial city with a booming economy, it is effortless to find a job here. Many people relocate here because of these opportunities, which is what the experience of professionals from nextstopmoversraleigh.com confirm. That, combined with the area’s beauty and active social life, usually makes Charlotte the first choice of anyone wishing to move to North Carolina.
Asheville
The town of Asheville is found in the beautiful Blue Ridge Foothills. It enjoys the reputation of a vibrant, artsy community. The town center here features several boutiques that showcase local creations. And for adult visitors, there are great bars and excellent places to eat.
The appearance of strolling musicians and street performers adds to Ashville’s overall creative vibe. Through the years, the town has won a host of awards. “America’s Quirkiest Town,” “Travel & Leisure,” and being named by “Good Morning America” as one of its “Most Beautiful Places in America” are just a few.
Ashville is also located in very close proximity to the world-famous Biltmore Estate. The estate was built between 1889 and 1895. This Châteauesque-styled mansion is the largest privately owned house in the United States, attracting almost 1 million visitors annually.
Since there is a lot to do here, you should try and find some online communities and travel start-ups that can help ensure that your travels are not dull.
Grandfather Mountain
The perfect place to start the portion of this article where we will be discussing tourist destinations in North Carolina who prefer to travel in nature is Grandfather Mountain in Linville. This mountain offers hikes that range in difficulty from leisurely trails with picturesque views to challenging treks across the expansive, mountainous panoramas. You shouldn’t skip a walk across the park’s well-known Mile High Swinging Bridge, which has been there since 1952. Also, you can learn about local flora, or, if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of wildlife.
Grandfather Mountain is also within driving distance of Banner Elk and Blowing Rock. Stop by either one of these small towns to grab a bite to eat on a sunny patio.
Hanging Rock State Park
This lovely park is located relatively close to the Winston-Salem area. It is part of nature in the Sauratown Mountains. The Hanging Rock State Park offers visitors over 18 miles of trails that can range from easy to difficult. The number of activities you can enjoy makes this one of the best destinations for nature explorers. There is a lake that is perfect for people who like boating, fishing, and swimming. The park is also home to several waterfalls you can visit.
Hanging Rock State Park features ten cabins and a tent/trailer campground available for anyone who decides to stay in the park for a while. Of course, if you decide you would like to stay a bit, make sure you prepare properly in advance. For instance, a storage unit can offer a secure place for your belongings while you’re gone for a month or however long you decide to stay.
Hanging Rock State Park is famous nationwide for its stunning quartzite formations and ridges. The most popular one is the eponymous Hanging Rock.
Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park is located only 25 miles from the town of Asheville. It offers miles of hiking trails and the astounding 400-foot Hickory Nut Falls.
Of course, the most famous of the various tourist destinations in this state park is the 300-foot monolith known as the Chimney Rock. Visitors can either take the 26-story elevator or climb 500 steps to get to the top of the Chimney.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. This is because it is located within easy driving distance of some large East Coast cities. Of course, this park’s accessibility isn’t the only thing that makes it so popular. The park is one of the most beautiful places in North Carolina because of its abundant wildlife and picturesque scenery.
Aside from deer, fox, turkey, and even elk, which were recently re-introduced, it hosts over 1,500 black bears. In addition, it boasts approximately 850 miles of trails and many gorgeous waterfalls.
There are many fantastic tourist destinations in North Carolina
At the beginning of this article, we discussed reducing the excess screen time the past few years have demanded from us. However, traveling can still be good for you if you are in the middle of building a business or taking a significant job opportunity. It can help you create a good balance between sitting down at your computer to work and going out to the beach or on a hike through the woods. That is as long as you make sure you have an Internet connection. Visiting these must-see tourist destinations in North Carolina should never deter you from important work. However, your work should never prevent you from living an active, happy life full of travels and exploration.
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