Popular North Carolina Attractions

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Last Updated: Jun 23rd, 2008 - 20:07:13

Popular North Carolina Attractions
By North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism
Jun 27, 2006, 22:30 PST

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Take a look at some of the great attractions that can be found in the state of North Carolina. Historic, scientific, or just plain fun, there is something for everyone here.

View Of House With Pool, Library of Congress

Biltmore Estate
America’s largest privately owned home, the Biltmore House, is nestled among 8,000 acres in the mountains near Asheville. George Vanderbilt, son of industrialist and philanthropist Cornelius Vanderbilt, saw his 250-room French-Renaissance chateau completed in 1895. This National Historic Landmark is among the country’s most visited historic residences with shops, a four-star hotel, lush gardens, serene walking trails and an award-winning winery.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Lighthouse
This popular National Seashore preserves and protects 75 miles of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and includes the area of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse as well as visitor centers at Buxton, Bodie Island and Ocracoke Island. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. In 1999, the lighthouse was relocated 2,900 feet away from the ocean to protect the landmark from beach erosion. It now stands 1,600 feet from the shore, as it did at the time it was built.

Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway, nicknamed “America’s Favorite Drive,” is a 469-mile scenic route connecting the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks. North Carolina is home to 252 miles of Parkway, which meander through two national forests and offer campgrounds, picnic areas, lodges, restaurants and countless scenic overlooks.

Pinehurst Resort & Country Club
The Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, host of the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open championships, is one of North Carolina’s top attractions, offering eight world-class golf courses. Visitors can also relax at a spa or enjoy tennis, swimming, fishing, biking, lawn sports, horseback riding and more.

Cherokee Indian Reservation
Homeland of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Indian reservation welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Popular attractions include Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Museum of the Cherokee, Oconaluftee Indian Village, the outdoor drama Unto These Hills, Qualla Co-op, arts and crafts, shopping and more.

Soaring flight, by Orville Wright, Kitty Hawk, NC, Oct, 1911.(10469 A.S.) OPR: AFHRA/CCP

Wright Brothers National Memorial
The site of man’s first powered flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright in 1903, the Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The memorial boasts a 60-foot-high granite pylon atop a 90-foot hill to commemorate the visionary brothers as well as a museum, a reconstructed hangar and daily presentations on the Wright brothers’ historic first flight.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the largest protected land area east of the Rocky Mountains and the most visited national park in the United States. Although it spans across two states, the majority of the park lies within North Carolina: 276,000 acres of forest and trails welcome hikers, bikers and equestrians. Rivers, streams and lakes offer some of the best canoeing, kayaking and whitewater rafting in the country.

North Carolina Museum of Life and Science
Located in Durham, the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science is a 78-acre, 50,000-square-foot interactive science-technology center that mixes science and fun. Interactive exhibits explore topics such as weather, aerospace and geology. Visitors can embark on a train ride through a nature park and wander through a 5000-square-foot glass conservatory filled with over 1,000 free-range tropical butterflies.

North Carolina Zoo
One of the world’s largest and finest walk-through natural-habitat zoos, the North Carolina Zoo features more than 1,100 animals from 250 species as well as thousands of rare plants spread over 500 acres in Asheboro in central North Carolina. The zoo has shops and picnic areas and offers family events year-round.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Located in Concord, Lowe’s Motor Speedway is a mecca of motorsports. In addition to hosting two NASCAR Nextel Cup races and two NASCAR Busch Series races each year, this venue also holds NASCAR’s All-Star Race. The Nextel Cup Gift Shop offers guided tours of the speedway including a high-speed lap around the 1.5-mile banked oval.

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