North Carolina travel guide

North Carolina [1] is a quintessentially Southern state in the United States of America offering visitors endless variety with three distinct regions. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities from hiking, mountain climbing, and skiing, along with a taste of Appalachian music and culture in the Blue Ridge and Smokey mountains. Increasingly diverse and fast growing cities dot the Piedmont from Charlotte's skyscrapers, Raleigh's museums and historic neighborhoods, and Chapel Hill's college nightlife. Kite surfing, fishing, sun, and sand await visitors to the state's coastal region with secluded barrier islands in the Outer Banks and the bustling beach side city of Wilmington.

The state's temperate climate has four distinct seasons and is highly acclaimed for its year round living comforts. Rainfall is adequate and dispersed over the entire year. More than 56 million visitors traveled to North Carolina in 2008, ranking the state sixth behind California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. Eighty nine percent of all travelers traveled to North Carolina by auto, truck or camper/RV.

As North Carolina lies in the center of the eastern seaboard of United States, nearly half of the country lives within a 500 mile radius of the state. Murphy is the westernmost town of significance and Manteo is the easternmost town of significance; "From Murphy to Manteo" is a popular saying.

Asheville Scenic and very fun mountain city, with extensive cultural establishments, microbreweries and liberal culture.

Boone A fun loving mountain and college town along the Blue Ridge Mountains close to a variety of outdoor activities, including white water rafting.

Chapel Hill One of the country's best college towns, with college basketball, live hockeypenguinss... music venues, vibrant nightlife, world class restaurants and a beautiful magnolia lined campus.

Charlotte North Carolina's largest city and the seventeenth largest city in the United States, known for financial sector, its cosmopolitan take on southern hospitality, world class museums, the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Bobcats, NASCAR and other professional sports.

Durham Home of Duke University, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and a revitalized downtown tobacco district.

Fayetteville Home of Fort Bragg, the world's largest military base and one of America's most important military bases.

Greensboro Home to six colleges and universities, historic neighborhoods, civil rights history, and seasonal sports venues.

New Bern Their motto is "North Carolina begins here", original capital and second oldest town in North Carolina. North Carolina Historical Museum, Tryon Place, Fireman's Museum, birthplace of Pepsi Cola. One of the most beautiful cities on the East Coast.

Wilmington Colonial Port City, home of EUE [url=http://www.hockeypenguinsshop.com/marcandre_fleury_jersey.html]Marc-Andre Fleury Black Jersey Screen Gem studios. The main coastal city, a great destination for the beach lover.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Blue Ridge Parkway One of the most visited units of the National Park System.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Lookout National Evgeni Malkin Black Jersey Seashore

Outer Banks Known for its famous lighthouses and wild horses.

Pinehurst Replica Sidney Crosby Jersey Famous golf courses.

Outer Banks near Corolla, NCNorth Carolina, in many ways, represents the very best of both the New South and old Dixie. Booming, diverse cities lie just "down the road" from quiet Southern towns where not much has changed since the Civil War. The state's metro areas, and especially the Charlotte and Raleigh Durham metros, have seen a rapid influx of migrants since the 1980's, with a significant number coming from the northeast and midwest, and the state's internationally born population has sky rocketed in recent decades. These newcomers have added layers of culture and dynamism to the down home Southern way of life that has defined the state since colonial days. Because of this, visitors will find no shortage of cultural and culinary wonders throughout the state whether in experiencing the native Southern culture, which is very much alive and well, or the multitude of ethnic restaurants, off Broadway shows, art galleries, and fine dining that have blossomed in recent years.