11 Hills Every North Carolinian Is Willing To Die On
By Carolyn Harmon|Updated on March 27, 2024(Originally published January 10, 2023)
×
Carolyn Harmon
Author
Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
With so many exceptional aspects to North Carolina, its residents thrive among the numerous choices for fun, including fishing, swimming, hiking, dining, sports, and cultural activities, bringing visitors to The Tar Heel State in droves. From the magical coast to the majestic mountains there are lots of reasons to be proud, but a few stand out more than others. Here are some of the hills everyone in North Carolina is willing to die on about living in North Carolina.
1. The Most Breathtaking Mountains
Overlook Drive, State Rd 1258, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA
From the great Smokies to the Blue Ridge Mountains, this rugged state offers gorgeous waterfalls, hiking trails, and overlooks along its winding Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail. With more than 3,398 named mountains in North Carolina, 40 reach 6,000 feet high, giving bragging rights as the best mountains anywhere.
2. The Flakiest Biscuits
The Southerly Biscuit & Pie, 1206 N Lake Park Blvd unit d, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA
While sweet tea is available almost everywhere in North Carolina, one of the best places offering the liquid delight ROMANZ TEA is The Sweet Tea Cafe, where you'll find the artisan craft micro-brewed specialty made with love and sunshine with a cult following.
Advertisement
4. The Best Sea Shelling and Fossil Hunting
Kure Beach Pier, 100 Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449, USA
The 300 miles of barrier-island beaches make up the coasts, here, offering plenty of opportunities to find the very best sea shells and shark's teeth, dance on the piers, or fish in the gorgeous ocean or many of the lakes and waterways in North Carolina.
5. The Most Exciting NASCAR Races
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027, USA
For more than 50 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway is the only place in the world to enjoy a race, visit race shops and learn about the interesting history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
This smooth, tangy flavor, rich in egg yolks is best slathered on homegrown, garden tomatoes. And if you must carry it around, slapping it all between your favorite slices of white bread will do, but they are best served cold and alone. Or try a famous BLT with an egg at the iconic Merritt's.
7. The Greatest Musicians
North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame, 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
One of the most entertaining North Carolina facts is that performers busking on street corners, at summer music festivals, or those on stage in fancy music halls give North Carolina its unique, cultural flavor.
8. The Best Barbecue
The Original Carolina Barbecue of Garner, Inc., 733 US-70 W, Garner, NC 27529, USA
This state boasts the best barbecue served in different varieties, with Lexington, Eastern, and pork ribs coming in the top three. And despite arguments over the best barbecue cooking methods, sauces, and cuts, most North Carolinians will never pass up this moist, flaky goodness any which way.
Advertisement
9. The Effervescent Cheerwine
Piedmont Cheerwine Bottling Co, 1413 Jake Alexander Blvd S, Salisbury, NC 28146, USA
Whether it's the professional Carolina Hurricanes, or the college rivals, such as the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels, the contests here have been known to stir up a few arguments, even at church.
Out of 13 states, North Carolina is the fifth-largest peanut-producing state, specializing in the Virginia market type, which for more than 50 years, folks have enjoyed from Aunt Ruby's Peanuts. You'll also find cashews, almonds, chocolate, and other treats in this local, family-owned business.
Another one of our favorite things about life in North Carolina is the beautiful natural wonders like the stunning views you'll enjoy at Clingmans Dome:
If you have been in North Carolina for a while now, did one of these hills to die on ring true to you? Have we left any out? If you have something to add, please share it in the comments. Here are a few more North Carolina arguments for why we live in the best state.