North Carolina holidays

Urban attractions and natural wonders meet in Asheville. Explore a vibrant art scene, unique history and craft beer, and enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountain scenery without ever leaving town.

With its distinct neighbourhoods and pretty parks, North Carolina’s biggest city still has a small-town feel. Grab a rooftop drink, feast on barbecue and see stock car racing at its best.

North Carolina’s capital is one of the best-kept culinary secrets in the South, with inventive breweries and a serious approach to barbecue. Come for the food, but stay for the amazing museums.

There are endless outdoor things to do in North Carolina — and they don’t all have to be strenuous. Check out the view from Chimney Rock, hike mountain trails, or explore the Appalachians on a scenic drive. Raft on the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, or paddle quietly through coastal marshland. Fish for your supper, or take a gourmet cycling tour through wine country.

You’re never more than a short drive from live music in North Carolina. The mountains echo with folk traditions of all kinds, including old-timey ballads, Black string bands and the bluegrass banjo that was born here. Summers are packed with outdoor gigs, from fiddle contests at campsites to major pop and rock festivals. And the region’s iconic venues are busy year-round.

There’s no better way to feel like a local than to experience the region’s sporting rivalries. Watch the Wolfpack take on the Mountaineers in college football — if only to join the tailgate parties. Visit the neighbouring universities of Duke and the University of North Carolina, which have taken basketball to new heights. Or head to the historic Charlotte Motor Speedway for fast-moving NASCAR action.

North Carolina measures 240 kilometres north to south but has twice that length of beaches, thanks to the barrier islands that run along its Atlantic coast. You’ll find wild horses on the Outer Banks, a sliver of tall, white sand dunes and untamed beauty. The quiet inlets on the sounds offer sheltered spots where pirates once hid their treasure.

With more than 40,000 hectares of protected wilderness, North Carolina is full of natural wonders. The pine-covered Appalachians are packed with rivers, waterfalls and glass-calm lakes. They also claim the highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard. Forests throng with wildlife, from black bears and bobcats to beavers, while the east coast attracts hundreds of species of migrating birds.

The barbecue restaurants in North Carolina have perfected the art of slow-cooked pork smoked over wood or coals. Expect mouthwatering side dishes too, like baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese or fried cornmeal hush puppies. Breakfasts are just as big here, with fluffy, scone-like ‘biscuits’ smothered in white gravy and buttery grits topped with juicy prawns.

Raleigh is home to the state museums in North Carolina, from sculpture parks to hands-on science exhibitions. Charlotte hoards vast art collections, including the Mint Museum and the Gantt Center. The Biltmore estate in Asheville remains one of the grandest homes in the US, while Wilmington’s historic downtown is a popular filming location with a thriving cultural scene.

If you want to see the countryside bathed in colour, spring and autumn are the best times to visit North Carolina. In spring, the mountains are wreathed in bright buds and buttercups, while autumn welcomes golden leaves. In summer, the coast is at its warmest, a welcome retreat from the humid heat in the central plains. And winter is ski season in the peaks.

Cheap holidays to North Carolina are more than possible. You’ll find an inexpensive meal for around 20 US dollars ($), even in the big cities. Head to more rural areas for great-value food and entertainment. Expect to find a coffee for under $5 and a beer for around $6. Just remember to tip your musicians as well as your waiting staff.