Best Attractions in North Carolina

An architectural and historical wonder
Completed in 1895 by George Vanderbilt, the 250-room chateau is as impressive today as it was a century ago. Biltmore House is truly a historical and architectural wonder.

The self-guided Biltmore House tour includes the rooms of four floors and several flights of stairs. Due to the house's historic architecture, only the first and second floors are accessible by wheelchair. You will be more than welcome to sit and take a break on a chair or seat with a green cushion which are in the guest areas inside the Biltmore House. And for the guests who are unable to visit the third floor and basement,  they can have a seat in the designated second floor rest area watching a video of the rooms they are unable to access.

Unforgettable experiences for all ages
Remember how important recess was when you were a child back in school? It was not only getting away from studying, it was also a time to relax, reenergize and rejuvenate. As most adults striving to create a “recess” out of work, USNWC too wanted to continue this idea. Its goal was to create a unique place that would let people escape their daily routine to spend some time outdoors. That idea came to fruition in August 2006, when the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) opened. With over 24 activities, live music shows and events, a restaurant, the perfect playground has been deemed for both children and adults.  

You can enjoy yourself with more than 24 activities, the  U.S. National Whitewater Center is an outdoor playground for all ages. Activities like whitewater kayaking and rafting, mountain biking, flatwater kayaking, zip lines, rock climbing, and ropes courses are available to all ages and all skill levels.

Experience the extraordinary including...
The interconnectedness and the wonder of the world are at your fingertips as you encounter creatures and organisms from across the globe in World Alive, learning labs and rainforest. Here you will celebrate Earth's biodiversity by learning about species and ecosystems and understanding their importance to the health of the planet.

You can also channel your inner inspiration and imagination in Think It Up, a "thought studio" and multi-sensory world of light, color, sound and creation. In Project Build you can build on what you already know about architecture, and in Cool Stuff play it cool where you can learn more about the why of science.

Beautiful places, beautiful People
The Town of Pilot Mountain is well-known as "Mt. Pilot" from the Andy Griffith show. Andy has made numerous references to this wonderful place, which the locals simply know as "Pilot". You can visit Pilot, too, and meet its wonderful people and attractions. Pilot Mountain State Park is made up of 3,703 acres of land that preserve the natural resources of NC.

Thousands of people visit the rapidly growing town and state park today. Come by and visit Pilot Mountain. You can have a picnic lunch at Pilot Mountain State Park or hike the trails. You may also see the breathtaking view from the lookouts along the trails, and then, take a stroll down Main Street; enjoy all that Pilot Mountain has to offer. 

Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers 
Levine Museum of the New South is an interactive museum that houses the nation's most comprehensive interpretation of Civil War Southern history. Visit today and you will enjoy a self-guided tour of its centerpiece exhibit Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers and all the other current exhibits.

Admission is adults $8.00, seniors (62+) $6.00, students, educators and active military $6.00, children (6-18) $5.00, ages 5 and under free. Group admission is $5.00. The museum hours are Monday - Saturday:  10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m, Sunday:  12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The center piece of the Museum is an award-winning exhibition, Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South. It is covering 8,000 square feet, the exhibit features Charlotte and the 13 surrounding counties as a case study to illustrate the changes in the South since the Civil War.

Two Gardens. One Experience.
A long time ago two extraordinary women named Elizabeth lived and gardened down the street from one another on Ridgewood Avenue. Elizabeth Clarkson was more than your garden variety gardener. This Elizabeth developed a formal garden as a habitat for songbirds—long before the concept of the garden as a habitat existed. On the other hand, Elizabeth Lawrence wrote the book on southern gardening. This Elizabeth, author of A Southern Garden, designed a garden to be a plant laboratory where she plants almost everything that grows.

Together, Elizabeth Lawrence and Elizabeth Clarkson made the Ridgewood Avenue in Charlotte, NC, one of the most famous addresses in Southern garden history. Admission is $6 for adults/members free (for both gardens). There is no charge for children under 18.   

A Slice of History and a World of Possibilities
Brightleaf Square features a unique mix of shops and restaurants in a couple of historic tobacco warehouses in Durham, NC. Stroll through the courtyard, shop, eat and have a drink. Come to Brightleaf to spend a perfect afternoon or evening. Traditional Greek, authentic Mexican, Brazilian steak, seafood, burgers and fries....the choice is endless. Plan your dinner, lunch, or evening and remember to allow some extra time to browse the unique shops, elegant antiques, rare books and new music.  

Enjoy this renovated area many times; you will always find something new.