15 Places in North Carolina You Must See Before You Die

North Carolina is full of beautiful, exciting places, but some are so iconic that you simply shouldn’t miss them. Make sure to put these 15 spots on your bucket list!

1. Dry Falls

This gorgeous waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest shouldn’t be missed. Walk behind the 75-foot-fall for a unique view.

2. Biltmore Estate

George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre estate is one of the country’s most beautiful. The 178,926 square foot home is the largest private residence in the country.

3. Grandfather Mountain

Check out the view from 5,946 feet, the highest point of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning.

4. Charlotte Motor Speedway

See a NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

5. Chimney Rock State Park

315-foot Chimney Rock is just one of many features of this beautiful park.

6. Cape Hatteras

This iconic lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the country, at 210 feet tall.

7. Jockey’s Ridge

The largest natural sand dune on the east coast. The park covers 426 acres.

8. Wright Brothers National Memorial

See the spot where the Wright Brothers took their first successful flight in 1903. Don’t miss this important part of North Carolina’s history!

9. Bank of America Stadium

Cheer for the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

10. North Carolina State Capitol

Take a tour of the North Carolina State Capitol, built in 1840.

11. Pea Island National Seashore

Do some bird-watching at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in the Outer Banks.

12. Lynn Cove Viaduct Tight, Blue Ridge Parkway

See some of the most beautiful scenery in the world along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is the Lynn Cove Viaduct, the last portion of the parkway completed in 1987.

13. Price Lake

Walk the easily-accessible trail to Price Lake, or cross-country ski in the winter.

14. USS North Carolina

A proud part of North Carolina’s history, the USS North Carolina earned 15 battle stars in World War II.

15. Thomas Wolfe House

Visit the boyhood home of one of North Carolina’s most beloved writers. It’s a National Historic Landmark, located in Asheville.

What's your favorite place in North Carolina?