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Banner Elk wines reflect the rugged landscape of high mountains, capturing the subtle and delicate nuances of the fruit and producing unique wines recognizable as coming from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The center focuses on the crafts of the Southern Appalachians, both traditional and contemporary. In addition to three galleries, the center features a library, a bookstore, an information desk, and a craft shop.
Hours vary depending on the season, and live craft demonstrations take place during the summer. Plenty of free parking is available, and there is no admission charge. Originally, the planetarium was used to train NASA astronauts. Today, it is open to the public, and the center is home to several educational exhibits.
Visitors can enjoy the exhibits free of charge, but an admission fee is required to view shows in the planetarium. Special pricing is available for groups larger than 10 if booked in advance, and members get free admission for all regularly scheduled shows. Hours vary according to the season. Instead of cages, the animals are given enclosures designed to recreate their natural habitats. These habitats are divided into three categories: African, North America, and tropical forest.
The zoo is home to more than 1, animals that represent over species. Other attractions include a carousel, a ropes course, and a giraffe viewing deck where visitors can see eye-to-eye with the animals. The zoo is also home to a large collection. The interior of the home has been designed to resemble its appearance the way it was during Sandburg’s lifetime, and guided tours are available. Other highlights of the property include 5 miles of hiking trails, two small lakes, and an apple orchard.
Many visitors will also enjoy visiting the goat farm, which is home to three different breeds of goats. It was situated a safe distance of 1, feet away from the water when it was first built, but the shoreline gradually eroded, and by the lighthouse was only 15 feet away from the shore.
The city was forced to move the structure to preserve it, and it exceeded expectations by remaining in great condition. There is a Visitors Center and Museum located right next to the lighthouse, which showcase a number of exhibits about the history of the area.
At the Visitor Center, visitors can learn about the battle through a number of exhibits and an audio-visual program. The park also features a picnic area, a campsite that visitors can use at no charge, and a short but pleasant colonial forest walk.
Special events held at the battlefield include candlelight tours, a weekend-long anniversary celebration, and regular living history programs.
Hours vary according to the season, so visitors are advised to check the website before planning a visit. There is no admission fee. The touring company strives to connect tour participants with the city’s emerging and acclaimed chefs, farmers, restaurateurs, and artisans and help area residents and visitors alike find new favorite culinary spots within the city’s food scene.
Tours include an historic South End food tour focused around experiencing the neighborhood’s best happy-hour spots, including hip breweries and rustic cafes. A local flavors NoDa tour explores the arts district’s hippest brewpubs, gastropubs, and galleries, while an Uptown tour focuses on soul food and Southern cuisine spots. Other tours include explorations of the culinary scenes in the city’s Dilworth and Plaza-Midwood neighborhoods.
Guests should note that children must be at least 13 years old to embark on tours. You can tour the ship, and take a walk through the exhibits — which help you feel as though you’re experiencing history first-hand.
Consider making an adventure of it and print out a copy of this trivia questionnaire about the ship and see how many answers you can come up with along your tour.
Originally founded by the Moravian community in , this small district features over 90 buildings and acres of gardens. You can walk down Main Street and enjoy the beauty for free, but if you buy an all-in-one ticket, you can explore the entire district.
Twenty-five of the buildings are interpreted with a staff, so you can learn in-depth facts about these historical buildings. Including commercial, civil, and military aircraft in their exhibits, the museum does its best to preserve aviation history. Looking to learn about every aspect of North Carolina history? Founded in , the NC Hall of Fame offers over pieces of sports memorabilia for you to see. With numerous galleries and an events calendar offering up a number of cultural festivities, the museum is the place to be.
Looking to take in some history and escape the every day for a while? Book yourself some time at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The inn features immaculate rooms, several restaurants, a spa, and activities.
And for the history buffs out there, they also offer self-guided, audio history tours! The minute tours are free to guests. Learn more about the history of the resort, which has been open to guests for over a century. Find out about some of their most memorable guests, and enjoy a look at how things used to be when they first opened. Once the location of the largest plantation in Wake County, Mordecai Historic Park is filled with history. It is the oldest house in Raleigh at its original location.
With historic buildings, structures, and landscaping, this area captures a feeling of what life was like so many years ago. Here you’ll find a 3-mile train adventure — that starts with being pulled by a steam engine that’s been in commission since !
You’ll also find live entertainment, amusement park rides, panning for gold, and the Deer Park Zoo. Basically — if you have kids, this is a great place to go. The park is open to the public from April through October. Pullen Park, just west of downtown Raleigh, will instantly transport you back to the good ole days!
Pullen Park is the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States. Here, you can rent a paddleboat, ride a carousel, take a trip on their miniature train, go for a swim, or catch a play! The park is best known for its yearly Holiday Express event — which takes place every December, and turns the park into a winter wonderland filled with holiday decorations and activities.
Sounds like the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit! The site of the first documented gold find in the United States, Reed Gold Mine in Midland is a fun and free place to visit. Take a guided tour of the underground tunnels, have a look at some of the old mining equipment exhibits, or spend a few dollars and have the family pan for gold themselves. Kids can pan for gold from April-October. Learn all about the history of gold and how North Carolina was one of the top producers of gold until the California Gold Rush of And it’s only 20 miles from Great Wolf Lodge in Concord!
This educational center offers a number of historical images and information to teach its visitors about the fight for civil and human rights that African-Americans have faced throughout the years.
The non-violent protests of the Greensboro sit-ins that took place in the the s are celebrated here. Established in the s as a cottage and estate for the Hampton family to escape the heat, the High Hampton Inn now offers the same to vacationers from all over the U. With cottages and multi-bedroom homes to choose from, visitors rent lodging nearby and enjoy access to the lake for fishing and swimming. Throughout the summer there are several children’s programs offered, with options for kids of all ages.
One of their most unique activities is an opportunity to take a hike with a llama! I mean, you can’t pass that up. Opened in , The Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks offers educational opportunities that go as far back as the early colonies.
With over different species of plants and flowers, the gardens offer something beautiful for everyone. Horticultural history abounds, from roses in the rose garden to an ancient live oak tree that dates as far back as approximately !
You can also take some time to explore the grounds and take in the history by walking the battlefield trails on your own. Enjoy the many monuments documenting the history of these grounds as you go. The Guilford Council National Military Park also has a Junior Ranger program for the kids, so they can earn a badge as they learn about the park.
Zoo, museums, science centers, aquariums, and more! You’ll find something for everyone in your group to enjoy in NC. Perfect for little ones, The Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh offers entertainment for children aged 10 and under. With opportunities to be creative, to learn, and to play, Marbles offers your children a chance to learn through hands-on discovery. Exhibits like Art Loft and IdeaWorks allow kids to let their imaginations run free.
The Power2Play exhibit gets your kids moving, jumping and bouncing – getting out all of their excess energy while still playing indoors. Quench your thirst for scientific discovery with one or more of the 14 planetarium shows available at the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill. The Science Stage shows offer live science demonstrations where the audience participates and interacts with the presenters. Recognized as one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the United States, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro offers you an opportunity to see exhibits featuring animals from North America to Africa.
There is so much to see and do at the North Carolina Zoo — make sure you set aside time to see it all! In between checking out all the awesome animals, you can grab lunch at one of the on-site restaurants or snack bars. Or you can bring a picnic and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables just outside of the zoo! Just make sure you get your hand stamped so you can get back in. Located in Uptown Charlotte, the hall is surrounded by great restaurants and hotels, and is about 20 minutes away from our next attraction!
The touch tanks and behind-the-scene tours at the Fort Fisher location make it the perfect place to head for an interactive and educational experience. Moreover, this public arboretum offers garden demonstrations and a wide array of activities for guests of all ages.
Related: Best Things to Do in Asheville. Today, it functions as a museum, and is one of the most captivating things to see in North Carolina. Since , this family-friendly Greensboro attraction has been a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. With a zoo, a museum and an aquarium, this Greensboro spot will keep the family entertained for the entire day. Then, head to the Animal Discovery Zoo, and spot a bundle of animals, like crocodiles and meerkats.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Proximity Hotel. Related: Best Restaurants in Greensboro. With over colorful varieties of plants, these gardens are a prime spot for horticulturists and photographers. Additionally, these gardens are adorned with gorgeous features, including flower beds, a lake with a bridge and a Koi pond. There are also trolley and walking tours for those who want to gain a deeper insight into these floral havens.
With a multitude of overlooks and breathtaking scenery, this highway lets you enjoy some of the most famous sights in the area. Since , this Raleigh attraction has been luring visitors with its impressive rotating exhibits. Furthermore, it has photogenic grounds that are a wondrous mix of pastoral beauty, garden and sculptures.
Afterward, wander around the sculpture garden and drop by its restaurant, which is pretty creative in its menu and presentation. Operated and owned by American Heritage Railways, Inc. As you travel through mountain valleys and tunnels, the train ride will reward you with stunning views of nature and cool places in North Carolina. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Stonebrook Lodge. It also offers horse training and sells horses.
It’s a mile stretch of protected coastal island region along the Outer Banks. It’s preserved for its cultural significance and natural resources. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is the longest region of undeveloped coastline on the Atlantic coast. It includes multiple islands with attractions to see on each of them. Choose a destination along the seashore to enjoy the beach and other activities. Many shipwrecks happened along the rugged coast, so you’ll find notable lighthouses, including the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Light on their respective islands.
Each island also has a visitor center to learn about things to do in the area and sights. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the best places to visit in North Carolina for surfing and fishing. It has incredible beaches that attract nearly two million visitors annually.
Accomodation: Where to stay in Nags Head. Address: Nags Head, NC At nearly 6,feet, the summit provides incredible views of the landscape. Grandfather Mountain is recognized as a nonprofit attraction to bring tourism to the region. The attraction includes the Grandfather Mountain and the nature reserve surrounding it, covering acres.
It not only consists of the natural attractions around the mountain but other tourist attractions. Hiking is a favorite activity at Grandfather Mountain. It has multiple trails, from leisure to intensive hiking. The views are well worth the hike to the top. There is lots of wildlife that you’ll encounter, including bears, elk, cougars, and eagles.
All proceeds from visiting the Grandfather Mountain attractions go towards preserving the environment. Learn about the life and times of Billy Graham, considered one of the most influential Christian leaders in the 20th century.
His work in spreading Christianity through media is well documented in the museum and library dedicated to him. The Billy Graham Library opened in and became one of the popular Charlotte attractions for tourists. The museum building is modeled after a bard to reflect Graham’s childhood raised on a farm.
A large cross serves as the main door where you’ll enter into a venue promoting a message of hope and religion. There are several multi-media exhibitions in the museum, including photos, videos, presentations, music, and sound clips from his sermons.
Visitors can learn all about the life and work of Billy Graham. The Appalachian Mountains features a diverse landscape within the range, including the Pisgah National Forest. The forest covers a large area protected by the national forest designation.
The headquarters is in Asheville, but the forest is so large that it’s divided into three ranger districts for better management. Pisgah National Forest has various landscape features, including old-growth forests, rivers, and wilderness areas. Visit the designated ranger station for each district to get more information on the best trails to take and the points of interest to check out.
Many people visit the Pisgah National Forest for recreational activities. It has several hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, and backpacking. Camping is also permitted in the forest at specific campgrounds. Accomodation: Where to stay in Pisgah Forest. The North Carolina State Capitol is one of the most famous buildings in the state.
It formerly housed the state government until but now holds the offices of the governor and staff. The National Historic Landmark is worth visiting to explore the beautiful architecture and learn about the state’s history. It has a stately appearance to reflect its importance to the building. Start your visit by walking the grounds to admire the building.
There are several statues outdoors. Visitors are allowed to enter inside the building and take tours of the different rooms. You’ll see statues and busts of US Presidents, war heroes, and more. Many of the rooms contain preserved original furniture. There is also a museum inside to learn more about the state’s history. Carowinds is an amusement park located in Charlotte. It was inspired by Disneyland and established right on the state border to include sections in South Carolina.
Since opening in , it’s been a fun destination for the entire family with lots of rides and other attractions. The amusement park also includes a water park and Carolina Harbor. It’s divided into themed sections, some of which are Celebration Plaza, Carolina Boardwalk, County Fair, and the Thrill Zone with the most adrenaline-rushing rides. Carowinds has over 50 rides, including 14 roller coasters and a handful of water rides.
It also features seasonal events for Halloween and winter. There are plenty of rides for kids to have fun, too. The onsite hotel accommodations make planning a trip around the park easy. The park is open seasonally from March to December. It welcomes over two million visitors seeking fun and entertainment. Families looking for fun places to visit in North Carolina should come to the Carowinds Amusement Park. Did you like this article on North Carolina attractions?
Then share it with your friends who might love reading it too! Top 10 Weekend Getaways in North Carolina. Explore Guide. North Carolina Top 25 Attractions With the Atlantic Ocean to the east, North Carolina features plenty of shoreline for visitors to enjoy with water activities, sunbathing, or simply relaxing on the beach.
Fun things to do in north carolina – fun things to do in north carolina.12 Fun Things to Do in North Carolina with Kids — Best Family Friendly Attractions!
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