NORTH CAROLINA
Our North Carolina Travel Guide
North Carolina is 60% covered with forests, making it one of the leading furniture producers in the U.S. Appalachian Mountains cover the state’s western part and are also the most extensive mountain range in the eastern United States. The University of North Carolina was also the first public university in the nation. It is an excellent state to visit and has many beautiful cabins to rent in the mountains for a quiet getaway. Read further to plan your trip to this state.
First, a little history…
It is believed that the eastern half of North Carolina used to be submerged under water where megalodon sharks would roam. Then, according to archeologists, the first Native Americans came to the region almost 12,000 years ago. The first Europeans arrived in the area in the 1500s. It became the 12th U.S. state in 1789. One of the saddest times in the state’s history was when 3,500 Cherokee Indians were forced to leave their home and march to Oklahoma on a trail known as the ‘Trail of Tears.’
Travel Guides for this State
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Major North Carolina Attractions
The Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is a tourist attraction in Asheville. It was built by George Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilt Mansion is located at the compound’s center and is the country’s largest private home. The mansion has more than 200 rooms with antiques, artwork, vintage clothing, and architecture. The estate also includes expansive gardens, pools, and sculptures. You will also find the country’s first managed forest on the estate, a deer park, and multiple dining options.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The museum focuses on the natural history of North Carolina and is also the oldest museum in the state. The building comprises the Nature Research Center and the Nature Exploration Center, which feature exhibits and educational presentations. You can learn about the various tropical and rainforest habitats and explore the region’s history of gemstones. The Acrocanthosaurus skeleton, nicknamed the ‘Terror of the South,’ is also displayed in the museum.
Chimney Rock State Park
You can enjoy some spectacular views and incredible hiking trails in Chimney Rock State Park, located southeast of Asheville. There is a giant granite spire that is almost 320 feet high. One unique feature of this park is an elevator built inside the mountain, which makes getting to the top extremely easy for tourists. Tourists are also found hiking on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail that leads to the Hickory Nut Falls.
Linville Gorge
North Carolina’s mountains are home to some of the most impressive waterfalls, most of which are easily accessible by a short hike. Linville Gorge is the ‘Grand Canyon of the East,’ the most scenic and deepest waterfall in the eastern United States. The waterfall is located in the Pisgah National Forest and has a drop of 90 feet.
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras was the first coastal preservation area in the country. It consists of essential barrier islands along with some spectacular beaches and unique wildlife. Endangered species like the piping plovers and loggerhead sea turtles are found here nesting on the beach.
Some other notable places and attractions:
Blue Ridge Parkway
Grandfather Mountain
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
North Carolina Aquarium
Nags Head
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