People Live Their Whole Lives in North Carolina and Somehow Miss These 5 Places

From the mountains to the coast, there are so many special corners sprinkled throughout North Carolina that sometimes it’s hard even for locals to keep up with them. Some of these places are kept hush hush for a reason and are frequently overshadowed by spots that are trending or are listed on every travel guide imaginable. From pristine estuaries to hole-in-the-wall barbecue restaurants to obscure state parks, a whole lifetime isn’t enough to lay eyes on all of the Tar Heel State’s impressive offerings. Coming from someone who’s a Carolina girl born and bred, I know for a fact that I’ve only scratched the surface. The following includes some major intel on various must-visit places in North Carolina to add to your growing list (And remember: you haven’t heard this from me!): 

1. North Carolina Maritime Museums

Who doesn't love learning about some nautical history? The North Carolina Maritime Museum has three locations in Hatteras, Southport, and Beaufort which are open year-round to give visitors a taste of the state's rich maritime history. These museums offer programming for all ages and include interactive displays that detail the region's coastal fun facts. Highlights include learning about shipwrecks at The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, seeing the treasure trove of artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge at the Beaufort location, and viewing old nautical instruments and work boats at the Southport location. While the Beaufort location is temporarily closed for construction, visitors can check out the Hatteras and Southport locations for free, to dive deeper into North Carolina’s fascinating nautical past.

2. Spruce Pine

If you're headed down North Carolina Highway 226, make a pit stop in Spruce Pine, which is a gem of a small town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Its quaint downtown is what dreams are made of – mosey around to discover the work of local artisans and craftspeople and then grab a pastry from Fox and the Fig. Spruce Pine is also a hub for mining, with plenty of locally owned gem mines and jewelry stores to visit in the area. Riverside Park sits along the North Toe River and caters to visitors throughout every season, whether you’re craving a dip in the water or a chance to set up a peaceful picnic with your loved ones.

3. Mast General Store – Waynesville, NC

Some of my fondest memories as a child were made on mountain trips to Waynesville, where I would always stop by to grab a huge bag of candy from this homey general store located on Main Street. Built in the 1930s, this charming fine clothier has a level dedicated to barrels filled with 500 old-fashioned candies that you can stock up on by filling your bucket to the brim. In addition to candy, the Mast General Store is the perfect location to purchase gifts such as clothing, footwear, specialty food items, and collectibles for any and every occasion. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time when hearing the creak of the worn wooden floors under your feet.

4. Downtown Cary Park - Cary, NC

Most North Carolinians know of or have visited Raleigh, the state’s capital, but while you’re there, be sure to stop by its family-friendly suburb of Cary. Cary offers plenty of activities and community spaces such as this well-rounded park, which you might just overlook if you're not in the loop. While it hasn’t been around for very long, this massive gathering space has quickly carved out its own little haven in the bustle of the Triangle area and was designed to foster community interaction and recreational activities. There are plenty of cool features to check out, such as splash pads for the kids, an open-air drinks pavilion, dog parks, play spaces, and more. Take a stroll along the park's floating walkway to gaze out at everyone enjoying the park’s fun-filled spaces and the ponds dotted with lily pads below.

5. Kerr Lake State Recreation Area - Henderson, NC

As far as I know, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area in Henderson, North Carolina, isn’t on a lot of North Carolinians radars. This massive reservoir is located just an hour north of Raleigh and is a prime destination for some water-filled adventures such as boating, swimming, fishing, birdwatching, and more along its over 850 miles of shoreline. Interestingly enough, Kerr Lake is one of the best locations in North Carolina for bass, catfish, and crappie fishing. If you want to make an overnight trip out of visiting this hidden gem, there are hundreds of campsites to choose from, along with boat ramps, bathhouses, picnic shelters, and much more.

Have other locals or tourists been to these under-the-radar locations? Are you gatekeeping any other must-visit places in North Carolina? Only In Your State’s itinerary planner is the perfect tool to discover and plan trips to places you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.