Everyone In North Carolina Should Check Out These 15 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals
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Carolyn Harmon
Author
With such a wide variety of places to visit, here are some more must-see attractions in North Carolina that you may have missed. From incredible recreation areas and exquisite gardens to some interesting escape rooms, take a look at these 15 dynamic destinations in the Tar Heel State.
1. Moore's Creek National Battlefield, Currie
Moores Creek National Battlefield, 40 Patriots Hall Dr, Currie, NC 28435, USA
It's hard not to feel what came before on this 244-year-old battlefield as you walk the one-mile-long history trail. Along the way, enjoy the Women’s Monument and the Tarheel Trail. Learn about this sacred space on the Moore’s Creek National Battlefield web page.
2. Fires Creek Recreation Area, Hayesville
Fires Creek Picnic Area, -1899, 1767 Fires Creek Wildlife Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904, USA
Located in the wild Nantahala National Forest, this lovely area offers hiking trails, fishing, and places to picnic while enjoying the rich, wooded scenery. From the Leatherwood Falls Picnic Area, a 0.7-mile loop goes to Leatherwood Falls. Discover more on the Fires Creek Recreation Area web page.
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3. Back Country Safari Tours, Corolla
Back Country Safari Horse Tours, Light Town Center, 1159 Austin St, Corolla, NC 27927, USA
Open every day all year, reserve a group wild horse tour up the North Beach to see the Colonial Spanish Mustangs on the Corolla Wild Horse Safari Tour. Reserve a spot on the Wild Horse Tours in Corolla website.
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4. Gem Theatre, Kannapolis
Gem Theatre, 111 Laureate Wy., Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
Originally opened in 1936, after a fire this cool building was rebuilt in 1948, featuring a beautiful lobby and 916 seats with a balcony. See what's playing on the Gem Theatre website.
5. Vance Birthplace State Historic Site, Weaverville
Vance Birthplace, 911 Reems Creek Rd, Weaverville, NC 28787, USA
Step inside the early 1800s on this rustic plantation in the Blue Ridge Mountains while listening to stories of what life was like back then at the reconstructed birthplace of Zebulon B. Vance. Learn more on the Vance Birthplace web page.
6. Round Creek Vineyards, Mount Airy
Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Rd, Mt Airy, NC 27030, USA
These cultivated 12 acres of vineyards sitting in delightful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are planted with primarily French and Italian varietals. Try your hand at a disc golf course, and stay the night in one of the charming rental cabins. Read about the scenery on the Round Creek Vineyards website.
7. FOX-N-OTTER Adventure Escape Rooms, Asheville, Hendersonville
FOX-N-OTTER Adventure Escapes - ASHEVILLE MALL, 3 S Tunnel Rd Suite K14, Asheville, NC 28805, USA
Walk away from reality and jump into the thrilling, immersive plot of an escape-room game. Figure out the brain-twisting puzzles in dynamic movie-like sets. See the schedule on the FOX-N-OTTER Adventure Escape Rooms website.
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8. Clemmons Educational State Forest, Clayton
Clemmons Educational State Forest, 2256 Old U.S. Hwy 70, Clayton, NC 27520, USA
In 1976, Clemmons opened as one of North Carolina's Educational State Forests, featuring exhibits, self-guided trails, classes, and outdoor workshops conducted by professional Rangers. For more information, visit the Moore’s Clemmons Educational State Forest web page.
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9. Lexington Glassworks, Asheville
Lexington Glassworks, 81 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
We like how the staff here invites everyone into the glassblowing process from start to finish, with its open-door culture. See the glass on display and buy a hand-crafted gift while you're there. Read the hours on the Lexington Glassworks website.
10. Simply Natural Creamery, Ayden
Simply Natural Creamery, 1265 Carson Edwards Rd, Ayden, NC 28513, USA
Taste some of the best ice cream (38 flavors) while viewing the gorgeous farm and livestock on the large front porch! Take a scheduled tour of the working dairy farm, and visit Sally's Dairyland, with jumping pillows, slides, and games. Read more on the Simply Natural Creamery website.
11. Saint Mary's Church, West Jefferson
Saint Marys Church, 400 Beaver Creek School Rd, West Jefferson, NC 28694, USA
You history and architecture lovers will enjoy this tiny, Carpenter's Gothic wooden church constructed in about 1899 with three amazing frescoes painted by the talented Ben Long in the 1970s. The church is open 24/7. See the art and read the reviews on Tripadvisor.
12. Tobacco Road Golf Club, Sanford
Tobacco Road Golf Club, 442 Tobacco Rd, Sanford, NC 27332, USA
The pristine grounds of the Tobacco Road Golf Club were built on the land where tobacco once grew. Book a tee time on the Tobacco Road Golf Course website.
13. Springer's Point Preserve, Ocracoke Island
Springers Point, Ocracoke, NC 27960, USA
As if being on the island isn't enough, these 120 acres are the perfect place to watch the birds and other wildlife, shell on the beach, or daydream while viewing the lovely Pamlico Sound. Learn more on the Springer’s Point Preserve web page.
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14. New Hanover County Arboretum, Wilmington
New Hanover County Arboretum | N.C. Cooperative Extension, 6206 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
Every day folks are invited to these stunning gardens, encompassing seven acres of the best plant species for southeastern North Carolina landscapes. Look for scheduled events on the New Hanover County Arboretum web page.
15. Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, Flat Rock
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, 1800 Little River Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731, USA
This inviting home of the late poet Carl Sandburg and his family is located on 264 acres with five miles of hiking trails, a dairy goat farm, and daily tours of the home. Discover more on the Carl Sandburg Home web page.
If you visit one of these must-see attractions in North Carolina, please share your comments below. And while you’re traveling through the Tar Heel State, consult the Only In Your State Best Road Trip Snacks.
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