About North Carolina
Our Mountains
The western slice of North Carolina is piled high with gorgeous mountains. Part of the Appalachian range, these mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, include numerous national and state parks (like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park), encompass a World Heritage Site and offer almost limitless recreational opportunities.
There’s a comprehensive highway network, including the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, which stretches for 250 miles through North Carolina’s mountains, reaches over 6,000 feet and lets you admire spectacular views from the comfort of your car. If you want to get out and walk, there are thousands of tracks and trails including a portion of the famous Appalachian Trail.
There’s the option of getting back to basics by sleeping under canvas in any one of the hundreds of campsites. And the seriously plucky can slip on a pair skis and slide down the mountains at one of North Carolina’s winter sport resorts.
Our Piedmont
Everyone knows what a mountain looks like and recognizes a coast when they see one, but what about the bit in between? In North Carolina, it’s called the Piedmont and is the beautiful area of undulating hills that rolls from the foot of the Appalachians in the west to the edge of the coastal plain in the east.
It provides the perfect terrain upon which to build golf courses – a point not lost on the legendary Don Ross when he created the first 18 holes at world-famous Pinehurst and dozens of other wonderful courses, particularly in the Sandhills area.
The Piedmont is the real heartland of North Carolina, occupies about two-fifths of the state by area and is rich in history and places of interest. You’ll find most of North Carolina’s great universities here as well as the majority of her tobacco farms, cotton plantations, vineyards, shopping meccas and biggest cities. Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Fayetteville and Raleigh help make the Piedmont the home of one of the most dynamic economies in the United States and the most populated area in the state. Mind you, it’s still remarkably uncrowded here.
Our Coast
North Carolina’s glorious coastline and fabulous beaches together comprise one of her most spectacular natural assets. And there’s a chain of islands strung along the northern half like a necklace, which provides both a protective cordon and a unique and treasured resource that is quite fascinating to explore.
Seventy miles of what are known as the Outer Banks make up the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Although carefully protected to preserve them for future generations, the 30,000 acres of pristine maritime environment and towering sand dunes are there to be appreciated and enjoyed. Only reachable by boat, this is the place to rediscover your more primitive side by going back to basics in one of the campsites provided. There’s also a 56-mile stretch on three barrier islands known as the Cape Lookout National Seashore.
For something rather more orthodox, the mainland coast runs for hundreds of miles and is virtually one unbroken stretch of glorious sandy beach. Peppered with quality hotels and first-class facilities, you simply can’t go wrong. And if you fancy a bit of history and a traditional port, don’t miss picturesque Wilmington.
Interested? Find out more:
Visit NC
Come see the State of North Carolina's official tourism web site! With listings of upcoming events and facinating stories of our people and places, you'll find everything you need to begin planning your NC experience.
North Carolina Golf
Whether you're trying your hand at the professional courses of Pinehurst, teeing off against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, or rolling a putt along a seaside green, NC is a golfer's paradise.
North Carolina Film
From The Last Of The Mohicans to Leatherheads to Dawson's Creek, come see why NC is the perfect backdrop for many of your favorite TV and movie productions.
