There’s no denying that North Carolina is one of the most beautiful and diverse states in the nation. The Tar Heel state really does have something to offer for everyone. From the Appalachian Mountains in the western portion of the state to the Atlantic Ocean bordering the eastern portion there are big cities, small towns, lakes, rivers, professional sports teams, great restaurants and breweries, plenty of popular music scenes, and anything else you can think of that makes it such a great state to live in. Because of my love for the state and traveling to all the places it has to offer, I decided to put together a list of the “100 Things You Must See in North Carolina.”

First off, this list won’t be in any particular order. The #1 thing won’t be any better, or worse, than the #100 thing, because how could it be? Everybody has their different opinions on what they like better. Some people are “mountain people” while others are “beach people” or “city folks.” So, as I make this list, I’m just thinking about things that are MUST SEE attractions for all these different types of people. I will be breaking down the list into segments of five at a time. Let’s get started:

Click Below to View Other Segments of This List

100 Things You Must See (1-5)

100 Things You Must See (6-10)

11. Downtown Mount Airy

Are you a fan of the Andy Griffith Show? You know Mayberry, that perfect small town that Andy and Barney called home? Well, that fictional town is based on Mount Airy, Andy Griffith’s hometown. And if you walk the streets of downtown Mount Airy, you will feel like you’re in Mayberry in many ways. You’ll see Floyd’s Barber Shop, Snappy Lunch, Wally’s Service Station, the Mayberry Courthouse and jail, and other sites that were featured in the famous 1960s tv show. You can even take a tour of all the sites in one of Sheriff Andy Taylor’s police cars. In addition to these familiar sites, you can also see Andy Griffith’s childhood home, the TV Land statue of Andy of Opie carrying fishing rods, and stroll through the Andy Griffith Museum. When lunchtime rolls around, you don’t want to miss out on Snappy Lunch. Make sure to order the famous pork chop sandwich, but you’ll want to arrive early because that place has no problem drawing in a crowd.

https://www.visitmayberry.com/

https://www.thesportschief.com/new-blog/2020/7/26/exploring-north-carolina-mount-airy?rq=mayberry

12. Ocracoke Lighthouse

North Carolina has seven lighthouses on its coastal shores, but Ocracoke Lighthouse is often cited as many people’s favorite. Like the island of Ocracoke itself, its lighthouse is small, but endearing. At just 65 feet tall, it is the shortest lighthouse in the state, but its light still shines over 14 miles out into sea. Ocracoke Lighthouse is also very historic. Built in 1823, it is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the United States and the oldest in North Carolina. Being in its proximity definitely provides a sense of historical significance and you can’t help but think about all the different things/people this lighthouse has witnessed over the years. Ocracoke Island is one of my favorite places in the state because of its intimate, laid-back, historic, and quaint atmosphere, and the lighthouse is absolutely perfect for it because it contributes all these things. However, because the lighthouse is so old, visitors cannot go inside and walk the stairs to the top. But just taking pictures and enjoying the views easily make it worth the trip to the small island that Blackbeard used to roam.

https://www.outerbanks.com/ocracoke-island-lighthouse.html

13. Linville Falls

North Carolina is home to many waterfalls, but none as popular as Linville Falls, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. After cascading over the pair of small upper falls, the water of the three-tiered waterfall navigates its way through the rock formation before finally plunging into the depths of the Linville Gorge 45 feet below, creating a spectacular sight for anyone around. The waterfalls can be viewed from four different vantage points, all reached by hiking trails ranked from easy to strenuous. With the longest trail being just 1.6 miles roundtrip however, the trails aren’t long, making it well worth the trek to take in the scenery. While the views from the top of the mountain are awesome, don’t skip out on hiking all the way down to the basin where you can experience the falls from very bottom. Here you can enjoy the waterfall from the other side of the rock formation while also being much more secluded from the more popular areas. Just be prepared to get a pretty good workout hiking back up.

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/linville-falls-trails.htm

14. NASCAR Hall of Fame

Stock car racing began in North Carolina so it’s only fitting that the Hall of Fame is located in its biggest city. Longtime fans of the sport and newbies alike will enjoy the Hall of Fame, located in uptown Charlotte. Visitors will learn all about the people and events that have led to NASCAR being what it is today, along with those who are currently shaping the sport for the future. One of the great things about this Hall of Fame is that it offers plenty of interactive experiences for visitors. Of course, it has plenty of interesting and historical exhibits to see and take pictures of, but it also gets people involved by offering racing simulators, pit crew assignments, a chance to build and design your own race car, and the opportunity to try your hand at being a NASCAR reporter. You can also honor the legacies of the 58 inductees by exploring the Hall of Honor. Then after a couple hours of adventuring, you can pick up a souvenir from the gift shop and grab a bite to eat at the Pit Stop Café.

https://www.nascarhall.com/

15. U.S.S. North Carolina

Anchored off the shores of Wilmington floats a majestic and historical structure that is the state’s memorial to the World War II veterans: The U.S.S. North Carolina battleship. When it was completed in 1941, it was considered the greatest battleship in the world. After the United States entered World War II, the North Carolina became one of the most important battleships in the war, participating in every major naval offensive in the Pacific and earning 15 battle stars. Since 1962, it has served as a tourist attraction for those who want to wander throughout the ship, see what life was like for its sailors during the war, and learn all about the ship’s history. You can get up close to the cannons, see the cramped bunks where the men slept, explore the engine room, mess hall, entertainment areas, and more on the gigantic ship that was like a “floating city” according to its website. There’s no doubt you’ll leave amazed and a little bit smarter.

http://www.battleshipnc.com/

Check back soon for the next segment of “100 Things You Must See in North Carolina: 16-20”

Garett

100 Things You Must See in North Carolina: 11-15