Top 4 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina

Thinking of travel destinations in North Carolina for the summer?

As a native of North Carolina, I’ve had the opportunity to live across the state and appreciate its beauty. It moves beyond agriculture, farmland, and random Dollar Generals in almost every city. Instead, it offers options and experience. As a state bordered by the Atlantic beach and Appalachian mountains, everyone is bound to create fun-filled and loving memories regardless of age or gender.

So without further ado, here are the top 4 best places to visit in North Carolina that are family-friendly, budget-friendly, and bound to create priceless memories for you and your loved ones.

Asheville, NC

Asheville holds a dear place in my heart. It’s where I spent my university days and met my long-life friends and husband. In my four years here, Asheville truly has been a place full of adventure, romance, and an out-of-the-box experience. Though highly known for the Biltmore Estate, here are some additional areas I highly recommend.

Asheville Retrocade

Don’t be fooled by the outside! Once you enter, this building is decked with classic and modern games. This 2-story building is full of games lined across the walls and in the center of the building itself. Known to have the largest selection of classic and modern video games in the southeast, you and your family are bound to have fun! Open daily from 12:00 PM until 2:00 AM (after 9:00 PM is only 21 and up) you can reminisce about your childhood and show your children your skills with the game you love while they enjoy the games they love. From classic games like Galaga to modern games like Mario Kart, this place is truly a fun-filled location for all ages.

Craggy Gardens

About 37 minutes away from Asheville, is the beautiful Craggy Gardens. Known for its jagged rocky outcroppings (“crags”) and shrubs and grasses, this area emulates the feeling of a garden at the top of the mountain. The view here is spectacular year round. Just look at the photo! It’s also free to visit and has several picnic areas where you can enjoy the rhododendron bloom in June.

The Hop Ice Cream Cafe and Whit’s Frozen Custard

The Hop Ice Cream Cafe

A popular place to visit, this ice cream shop makes high-quality, handcrafted dairy and vegan ice cream! Whether you’re craving ice cream in a cone, milkshake, or sundae this place does it all!

Whit’s Frozen Custard

This is by far the best-frozen custard place I’ve had in NC. Making its flavors fresh on-site, this place changes its menu daily. You can choose from a variety of toppings, specialties, and flavors! They even have ice cream in various sizes that you can take home, stick in your freezer, and enjoy later.

Rosetta’s Kitchen

I’m not a vegan or vegetarian but if I could eat here everyday I may be able to make that transition. Rosetta’s Kitchen is a vegan/vegetarian restaurant and holds some of the most amazing, DELICIOUS, and healthy food options. Everything about their menu is homey, cozy, filling, and nutritious. I wish I could eat it every day. So if you’re in the area and looking for a nice meal, try this place out!

Downtown Asheville

There’s always something happening here. From dining, shopping, and touring, this place has it all. If you’re craving delectable delights try the French Broad Chocolate Lounge and Twisted Crepe. If you’re looking for a cozy bookstore, visit Malaprops’s Bookstore/Cafe. Downtown Asheville is always vibrant and full of life with activities that all ages can enjoy.

Charlotte, NC

Growing up, this place was THE place for everything and remains so today. From shopping, international grocery stores, concerts, sightseeing, etc. Charlotte has it all. With the Charlotte Amtrak, you’re bound to visit several of Charlotte’s top attractions including downtown Charlotte without having to drive through traffic. Here are some top places to visit in Charlotte:

Southpark Mall:
1. Known as the largest mall in the Carolinas, Southpark Mall hosts over 150 stores, a children’s playground, and includes Charlotte’s only Cheesecake factory. This 1.8 million square feet mall is located about 6 miles south of uptown Charlotte.
Northlake Mall:
1. Similar to Southpark Mall but located in North Charlotte, it hosts over 150 shops and restaurants. This 1.7 million square feet mall is 2 stories high and located north of uptown Charlotte.
Carowinds:
1. Are you a thrill seeker? If so, check out this 400-acre amusement park that sits between North Carolina and South Carolina! Holding the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, Fury 325, you’re bound to get a thrill from this attraction site! In total this park includes about 60 rides, attractions, and live music. It also includes a 26-acre water park with a variety of water slides, wave pools, and a 3-acre children’s play area.
IKEA:
1. As the ONLY IKEA in North Carolina, this 365,000-square-foot building holds Scandinavian home furniture and decor that is ready for you to take home. Inside there are 50 room settings with 3 complete model homes, a showroom for design inspiration, and a market hall for accessories. If you’re worried about taking your children, don’t fret! They also have a children’s play area where you can drop your child off as you shop around. Not to mention, the cafeteria inside is super yummy with food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

RTP Area

The RTP area, also known as the Research Triangle Park, is surrounded by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill and the surrounding communities of Morrisville and Cary. Known as the largest research park in North America, this place is full of exciting activities. From international stores and dining experiences to malls, sporting events, and family-friendly activities this place has everything in store for you. Here are some places I highly recommend:

Sarah P. Duke Gardens:
1. This FREE destination is opened to the public with a parking fee of $2/ hour. This 55-acre public garden is located in Durham, North Carolina, and is open year-round from 8 AM to dusk. Divided into 4 districts: Terraces & Historic Gardens, Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, and the Doris Duke Center Gardens you’re bound to see a variety of beautiful florals year-round. NOTE: In the springtime, make sure to get there early as capacity is often filled by 10 AM!
Franklin Street at UNC:
1. Known for its nightlife, culture, and regular festivities, this place is considered the social life of Chapel Hill. It offers a variety of entertainment from music stores and bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and museums. Not to mention, you can even walk to campus and enjoy a serene picnic on the quad surrounded by the historic UNC campus.
Crabtree Mall:
1. At 1.3 million square feet, this mall is known as the largest enclosed mall in the RTP area, it includes over 220 stores and fine dining choices. You’re bound to find everything that you need at this mall.
Pullen Park
1. Known as the 5th oldest park in the United States and one of the most famous parks in the RTP area, Pullen Park is located west of downtown Raleigh and holds almost everything that you and your family can enjoy! From picnic areas, concession stands, and small rides including the Pullen Park carousel, train, kiddie boats, and pedal boats. This 66.4-acre park also includes the Pullen Aquatic Center, Pullen Arts Center, and theater in the park.

Beaches

One of the beauties of living in North Carolina is having the ability to travel a couple of hours to see the ocean and mountains. As a beach fanatic, here are some of my top beach choices located off the coast of North Carolina.

Emerald Isle:
1. This is probably one of my FAVORITE beaches in North Carolina. This beach is family-friendly, serene, quiet, and filled with life! The last time I came here, my family and I were able to see dolphins from our oceanfront porch. It truly was a sight to see. The water and sand were also very clean and soft. We also found beautiful and full seashells here! Such a beautiful place that I would highly recommend it.
Carolina Beach:
1. A family-friendly, serene, and quiet beach filled with things everyone can enjoy. Located in Pleasure Island, North Carolina, this beach includes a boardwalk that offers street foods, carnival games, and amusement rides. This beach is amazing to visit if you’re looking to travel to a less-advertised destination. NOTE: If you visit this beach, you MUST try Britts Donut Shop located on the boardwalk! It won’t disappoint!
Outer Banks:
1. If you’re a beach lover and ocean fanatic this place is for you. The outer banks encompass 100+ miles of wide open shoreline that splits off the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Home to many historical events, this place was the early site of European settlement and is home to the Wright brother’s first flight at Kill Devil Hills. It is also nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic due to the hundreds of shipwrecks along the outer banks. Once here, you can visit Jockey’s Ridge State Park to see the large natural dunes. You can also visit the various lighthouses in the area such as the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, Currituck Beach lighthouse, and Bodie Island lighthouse. Check out Currituck Beach if you want to see wild horses!
Surf City Beach:
1. Known as the commercial heart of Topsail Island for over 60 years, this beach is known to be quiet, serene, clean, and uncrowded. It is home to the Surf City ocean piet that is 937 feet long. At this beach, you can also enjoy concerts, outdoor movies, and other special events year-round with your family.

Whether you’re looking to head to the beach, or mountains, stay within the city, or do it all North Carolina is the place to be! North Carolina’s beauty is endless and you’re bound to find something to do for both you and your family. I hope this list was helpful as you plan your summer travels!

Safe travels!