10 Things To Do In North Carolina When You Thought You’ve Done Everything

When planning a weekend away in North Carolina, we’re pretty blessed to have two solid options – the mountains or the beach. While there’s a whole world between the two and new things to discover each day, at some point every North Carolinian will get the feeling there’s nothing new to see. Even the familiar can feel exciting in North Carolina if you know where to look. So whether you are just looking for something brand new or something brand new to you, here are several unique things to do in North Carolina to add to your list for your next adventure day.

The Gorge Zipline, Honey Bee Drive, Saluda, NC, USA

Facebook / The Gorge Zipline

If you're tired of seeing North Carolina from ground level, take to the sky and fly above the trees at one of the many zipline adventures offered throughout the state. There are many places where you can partake in some ziplining adventures and we love them all. That being said, however, when the leaves reach their peak in the fall, The Gorge Zip Line is simply unforgettable.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Milepost, 297 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA

Tonya Petry/Google Reviews

You might not be able to hop in and take a swim, but lakes, rivers, and the ocean are still so calming and beautiful. Take a long fall walk on the beach, kayak on the Intracoastal or rivers, and even find some perfect lakes for hiking around. We've already found one for you and it's breathtaking in October. Price Lake makes for a lovely place to take a stroll around the lake especially if you go right around sunset. This lake is located right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway so you can easily make a whole day trip out of this wonderful spot just like this video by Adventuring in the Moment.

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-ted/ Flickr

While parks are simple and perfect for a stroll, some are above the others in terms of what they offer. Pullen Park in Raleigh is home to a vintage carousel built in 1900 by Salvatore Cernigliaro of the Dentzel Carousel Company (and one of only 25 left today), a mini-train, mini-paddleboat station for little ones, a pond with adult-size paddleboats, plenty of green space and playgrounds.

Want to learn more about Pullen Park? Check out our previous coverage of it!

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Bat Cave North Carolina Old Cider Mill Gift Shop/ Facebook

While craft breweries are the place to be on the weekend, North Carolina's cider industry is slowly catching up and (even better) using locally-sourced apples from the seventh largest apple producer in the country. You don't have to be in the heart of North Carolina's apple country (Hendersonville) to taste great cider, although Flat Rock is great. Get some craft cider at Black Mountain or even shop and sip at Old Cider Mill.

Read our guide to North Carolina cideries then plan yourself a whole apple orchard and cideries road trip!

Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower, Canton, NC 28716, USA

Jackie White/ Alltrails

We hike plenty of mountains here in North Carolina, but for hundreds of years and prior to the advances of modern technology -- those mountains, and their unpredictable fires, were monitored by 'watchmen' who spent weeks in fire towers. Today, many of these former fire towers remain in good condition and provide some seriously stunning views. One that is an easy trek, still in good condition, and the tallest USFS fire tower at a total of 70 feet tall is just off the Parkway!

Read our guide to Fryingpan Tower then get on out there and hike it. We think this is definitely one of the best things to do in North Carolina.

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Museum of Life and Science, 433 W Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704, USA

Museum of Life and Science/ Facebook

There's something simply magical about butterflies, but we really only get to witness them in the summer months. At Durham's Museum of Life and Science, the Magic Wings Butterfly House is one of the largest on the east coast and home to over 50 different species.

Interested in a trip to a whimsical butterfly garden? Check out the Magic Wings Butterfly House next time you are in Durham. Then check out this video from the Museum of Life and Science:

Ashe County Cheese, 106 E Main St, West Jefferson, NC 28694, USA

Facebook / Ashe County Cheese

We enjoy delicacies like chocolate, cheese, and even Moravian cookies come Christmas; but it's even more fascinating to see how they're made at the Ashe County Cheese Factory. From salty to sweet, factory tours are a unique peek inside the building and making of some of your favorite creations. This is a great activity for kids, families, groups, and even curious adults.

Take a road trip and make your way to any of these four factory tours to see the wonderful interworkings of industry.

clio1789/ Flickr

While there's no literal time machine, many of North Carolina's cities and towns are like a literal time capsule. If you've never walked the cobblestone streets of Bath, you're missing out. If you've never heard ghost stories of Wilmington's past, you might be in for a surprise. If you've never witnessed a Revolutionary War reenactment at Tryon Palace, what are you waiting for? You'll feel like you're walking through the past in these eight historic towns. The photo above is of The Biltmore Estate and if you are looking for one of the best time capsules in the state this is a must-see.

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Only In North Carolina / Joel Wadsworth

When winter starts to roll around and the time changes, the night will take over with darkness creeping in around 5 p.m. (ugh). Yet, winter is a great time to take advantage of the extended darkness with a variety of night-centric activities. From driving to the country and curling up in blankets counting stars, visiting the Bare Dark Sky Observatory, and even getting spooky and trying to see the Brown Mountain Lights...night owls and non-night owls will find new adventures in these six nighttime adventures. Another great spot to stay is at the Cape Hatteras / Outer Banks KOA Resort, this island campground owns both sides of the island so you can watch the sunset on one end and the sunrise on the other. Then at night enjoy a place with little to no light pollution and star gaze into the night. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to check out the campground.

Flickr / Woodleywonderworks

When fall rolls around (or as I like to call it, Halloween season) it means all things spooky are a must! While there's your fair share of fictional haunted houses to get a good scare, it's always scarier in real life. From a road that leads nowhere, haunted ghost towns, and even a haunted restaurant...there are plenty of real-life ghost hunts to be had in North Carolina, you might even see one for yourself!

Here are the eight best places to spot a ghost in North Carolina.

We think these are some of the best places in North Carolina to keep you entertained year round. How many of these hidden gems in North Carolina have you done or been to? Let us know in the comments. And remember – if you plan to visit any of these spots in the summer months, they can be busy, so you’ll want to book your accommodations ahead of time!

Which ones have you done? Any ideas of your own you’d like to add? Let us know what unique things to do in North Carolina are your favorites in the comments below.