Places to see in North Carolina vacation sights in North Carolina Explore things to do in North Carolina

Sometimes you just want to get out and explore. We try to strike a good balance of places that you will really enjoy. Finding ideas for family friendly outings, or interesting places to go in North Carolina with your friends, both are at your fingertips here with America Top 10. We aim to give you plenty of ideas without you having to do all the research. That way you can easily decide if you want to explore North Carolina sites or check out the sites in another state.

You have also heard how it is becoming a lot more popular to have staycations (where you stay home instead of going to far off places) and discover new and interesting places in the near vicinity. We try to make that easier for you. Check out the sites in North Carolina that have become local favorites easily with our site.

We hope that we have provided you plenty of choices in North Carolina whether this is a new area for you or your own back yard. Something a little different from the typical amusement park. If you really loved somewhere but don’t see them on our list let us know, we are always looking to improve our lists and we can only do that with your help.

North Carolina Museum of Art

Raleigh, NC

One of the leading art museums in the American South, the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) recently completed a major, three-year expansion that places it in the front ranks of museums nationwide. The NCMA offers a permanent collection spanning more than 5,000 years, a variety of celebrated exhibitions and public programs, an amphitheater for outdoor performances, and the nation’s largest museum park, 164 acres of trails and parkland containing major works of art.

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

Asheville, NC

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area was designated by Congress and the President in November, 2003 in recognition of the unique character, culture, and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills in Western North Carolina. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area has great significance, not only to historical North Carolina, but also to the history of our nation.

Greensboro History Museum

Greensboro, NC

The museum celebrates Greensboro’s local culture and the city’s prominent place in American history. Collections document the many different nationalities and people who impacted the county’s history: Native Americans, Germans, African Americans, Quakers and Scots-Irish. Archives and artifacts relate to the lives of prominent Guilford County residents, such as David Caldwell, First Lady Dolley Madison, Governor John Motley Morehead, author O. Henry and educator Charles Henry Moore. With more than 17,000 square feet of stories, the Greensboro History Museum is bigger and better, making it the place to learn about Greensboro.

Biltmore Estate

Asheville, NC

Biltmore Estate is a large private estate and tourist attraction near Asheville. Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Châteauesque-style mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 square feet of floor space. Still owned by George Vanderbilt’s descendants, it stands today as one of the most prominent remaining examples of the Gilded Age.

Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Greensboro, NC

Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe is the Carolina’s favorite waterpark. One of the largest in the area, the waterpark features over 36 water rides and attractions. With over 3 million gallons of waterpark fun, Wet’n Wild Greensboro has been rated one of the Top 10 Water Parks in America. Sprawling across 41 acres, the park offers family-friendly fun, relaxation, and a wide variety of delicious foods and beverages.

Asheville’s Fun Depot

Asheville, NC

Asheville’s Fun Depot is a mostly indoor family entertainment center that features a variety of attractions and activities as well as a full menu of delicious food items. With over 65,000 square feet of indoor fun, Asheville’s Fun Depot is the ideal place to spend quality time with your friends and family regardless of the weather.

Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden

Kernersville, NC

Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden is the newest public garden in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. The vision of Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden is to create a dynamic public garden in Kernersville, North Carolina that surprises visitors from near and far by its scope, quality, and benefits for tourism, community events, and civic pride.

North Carolina Arboretum

Asheville, NC

Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.

Weatherspoon Art Museum

Greensboro, NC

Weatherspoon Art Museum, invites you to peruse the permanent collection, take a preview look at the fantastic array of current and upcoming exhibitions, mark your calendars for exciting and informative programs, and learn of the benefits of museum membership.

Elsewhere

Greensboro, NC

Elsewhere is a museum set within a former thrift store that re-invents old things to build collaborative futures. Since opening in 2003, Elsewhere has supported creative projects, learning initiatives, and public works with global artists and local neighbors that enliven and inspire downtown Greensboro and beyond. Elsewhere is a museum and artist residency set in a 3-floor, former, thrift store. With people and things, they build collaborative futures.