North Carolina
Discover North Carolina
North Carolina is a quintessentially Southern state in the United States of America, which offers visitors endless varieties within three distinct regions. North Carolina and South Carolina are jointly referred to as "the Carolinas", with North Carolina being the larger of the two. The state is known for its barbecue, music, and unique culture. Visitors to the state's mountains can enjoy outdoor activities from hiking, mountain climbing, and skiing. The Piedmont region features increasingly diverse and fast-growing cities, including the state's largest city: Charlotte. The state capital of Raleigh is surrounded by the aptly-named Research Triangle, known for its museums and universities. The three cities that make up the Piedmont Triad, halfway between Charlotte and Raleigh, are surrounded by quaint towns with classic Southern charm. In the eastern portion of the state is the Coastal Plain, where travelers can enjoy a wide array of beaches, from the secluded Outer Banks to the bustling seaside city of Wilmington.
What to Experience in North Carolina
Taste of North Carolina...
Hog farms are North Carolina's number-one commodity. The pig plays an important role in state cuisine. As in the rest of the South, pork meat (particularly ham, bacon, smoked ham hocks and salt pork) and pork fat (fatback and lard) are highly popular flavoring ingredients. Perhaps unsurprisingly, no part of the pig is wasted. Livermush, a delicacy that includes pig liver, parts of the head, and cornmeal is a favorite delicacy. The town of Shelby, NC has an annual festival celebrating the tradition of livermush and barbecue. A great local delicacy — albeit one that most people won't touch, if they weren't raised eating it — is chitterlings (most often abbreviated to chitlings or chitlins), aka pig intestines, which are thoroughly cleaned, boiled and fried. Small local companies like Neese's manufacture souse (also called headcheese), liver pudding, pickled pigs' feet and C-loaf (made from chitterlings). For the less adventurous, North Carolina offers plenty of mainstream ways to enjoy the humble pig: Chicken is also a highly popular food; while it may not be as ubiquitous as pork, it's much beloved. Fried chicken is commonly served as part of a traditional Sunday dinner (although a roast ham is an equally popular alternative). There's also the classic comfort-food of chicken and dumplings, and roast chicken is often served at a pig pickin' for those rare few who choose not to gorge on pork.
Climate
Summers can be warm, especially during July and August, but in general the climate of North Carolina is mild compared to its neighbors in the southeast. For example, the average July high in Charlotte, and most central NC cities, is 90°F (32°C). In the mountains of Asheville, the average July high is only 84°F (29°C), and highs below 90°F are also found on the coast. For travelers coming from warmer climates, summers in North Carolina are quite nice, especially in the mountains. However, during the summer, high humidity combined with summer temperatures above 90°F (32°C) can feel quite oppressive; it may be hazardous for senior citizens and those of ill health. Between the months of June and August, heat advisories are not uncommon. The good news about the heat is the air and ocean water temperatures, particularly for the Southeast NC beaches, remain comfortable for swimming and beach-going well into September, if not October.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsNorth Carolina borders Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. North Carolina has the largest state-maintained highway system in the nation, incorporating over 78,600 miles of highways. It provides same-day access to major eastern US markets. I-40 connects North Carolina with California, while I-95 can take you to anywhere on the East Coast. NC also contains part or all of I-26, I-73, I-74, I-77, and I-85. North Carolina also has other passenger airports such as: Twelve daily Amtrak passenger trains serve 17 North Carolina cities on six routes, including the northbound and southbound Carolinian, Piedmont, Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Crescent and Palmetto. The Carolinian and Piedmont are operated jointly by the State of North Carolina and Amtrak to provide daily, round-trip passenger rail service between Charlotte and Raleigh. The Carolinian continues service to the Northeast....
Regions
Explore AreasNorth Carolina, in many ways, represents the very best of both the New South and old Dixie. Booming, diverse cities lie just "down the road" from quiet Southern towns where not much has changed since …...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Given North Carolina's central location on the East Coast, most visitors arrive to the state in their own personal vehicles. Roads are generally well kept and traffic, outside rush-hour in the major cities, is safe and uncrowded. However, visitors arriving by plane would be well advised to rent a vehicle, or arrange for other private transportation because, except in parts of Charlotte and the Triangle, public transportation is limited. Mountain roads in the state's western areas can sometimes be unpaved and, in winter months, extra caution is advised. Parts of the Outer Banks are inaccessible by car and can only be accessed either by the North Carolina ferry system or by private boat. Be aware that speeding over 70 MPH in 55 MPH zones can have your license suspended, even with a clean driver's record. (The toughest traffic speed law in the U.S.) North Carolina’s ferry system on the Outer Banks/Coast, the second-largest in the nation and largest on the East Coast, operates 24 ferries.
Money & Budget
For authentic, non-kitschy North Carolina souvenirs, look for local pottery or Cackalacky spice sauce. Hog farms are North Carolina's number-one commodity. The pig plays an important role in state cuisine. As in the rest of the South, pork meat (particularly ham, bacon, smoked ham hocks and salt pork) and pork fat (fatback and lard) are highly popular flavoring ingredients. Perhaps unsurprisingly, no part of the pig is wasted. Livermush, a delicacy that includes pig liver, parts of the head, and cornmeal is a favorite delicacy. The town of Shelby, NC has an annual festival celebrating the tradition of livermush and barbecue.
Language & Talk
The Southern dialect is commonly found in North Carolina and is usually easily understood by most people. Being in the Northern South, or "Upper South," the dialect of North Carolina is somewhat different than the stereotypical southern accent, which is often more of the dialect found in the "Deep South". The standard dialect in most parts of the state, especially in the Piedmont and eastern parts of the state borrows from the Virginia Piedmont accent, which is derived from the Virginia Tobacco Planters of the colonial era. The difference may be trivial to the untrained ear, but in some people with thicker accents, it may sound a bit strange at first with some words sounding more British than in other parts of the South.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
North Carolina isn't known for violence and most areas of the state have relatively low crime rates. As with any state, it is best to use common sense whenever visiting an unfamiliar place. In most areas, the greatest safety threats are bad drivers on the highway. Surprisingly, most major cities in North Carolina are very safe compared to other Southern cities and other parts of the country. The only city with a noticeable crime rate is Charlotte, but it remains much lower than places like Atlanta or Washington, DC. Outside of the major metro areas, North Carolina is generally rural and undeveloped. This makes for dangerous wildlife and plants. If hiking, avoid straying from the marked trail. There are many venomous animals in North Carolina. Also, during the summer months, thunderstorms increase and the potential for dangerous lightning should be acknowledged.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of North Carolina
Rolling mountains in autumn with forest in foreground
Charlotte Sunset
Blue Ridge Mountains, Western North Carolina
Sunset over the Appalachian mountains in Wilkes County, NC
Uptown Charlotte, NC at night.
A view from the top of Sassafras Mountain on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Aerial view of waves in North Carolina
green trees beside road during daytime
green trees near river under blue sky during daytime
UNC bell tower on the campus in chapel hill, north carolina.
Rolling mountains in autumn with forest in foreground
Charlotte Sunset
Blue Ridge Mountains, Western North Carolina