Consider this your free travel guide to the Tar Heel State! Off the Eaten Path’s North Carolina Travel Guide rounds up everything I’ve written about exploring North Carolina. From the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the barrier island beaches. From small Southern towns, to big growing cities. There is so much to do, see, eat and explore here in NC!Â
I’ve lived in North Carolina for over thirteen years now. In that time I’ve road-tripped to nearly every corner of it. Chased waterfalls in Bryson City. Sampled wine in the Yadkin Valley. Watched wild horses on the Crystal Coast. And I’ve cheered on the Panthers in my hometown of Charlotte.
from murphy to manteo
North Carolina is a mix of geography. From the mountains in Murphy to the stretches of sand in Manteo, North Carolina offers endless activities and attractions to explore. No matter if you’re going to cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway or soak up the sun on the miles of barrier island beaches, whatever kind of adventure you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in North Carolina.
Off the Eaten Path started as a way to explore my adopted home state. One restaurant and weekend at a time. This page is where I’ve pulled together every North Carolina guide I’ve written. It’s organized by region, so you can find exactly the kind of trip you’re planning.
My favorite thing about this website is what began as a fun side project quickly turned into a love affair with North Carolina. From the best bites and sips in Charlotte to family-friendly adventures across the state, I have plenty of real-life stories along the way.
By day, I’m a criminal defense attorney. The rest of the time, I’m chasing two little kids, exploring the Carolinas and usually telling my husband, “Just one more quick picture.” I hope this North Carolina Travel Guide inspires you to try something new, revisit old favorites and create a few unforgettable North Carolina memories along the way.
PS: Did you know I’ve created a free North Carolina Bucket List? It’s a downloadable list of 151 things to eat, do, drink and see in North Carolina. Delivered right to your inbox!
The Mountains
This strech of the state has more waterfalls, overlooks, and trailheads than you could possibly cover in one trip. (Including small and large portions of the Appalachian Trail that you can hop on and hike for AT bragging rights.) Asheville is one of Western North Carolina’s anchors, with its craft breweries and restaurant scene pulling in visitors year-round. But the smaller mountain towns stretching beyond Buncombe County: Bryson City, Hendersonville, Waynesville, and Weaverville, have just as much personality and a lot less crowd.Â
Further North, the High Country gets its name from its high elevation. Much of the area sitting 3,000 feet above sea level. (The High Country is home to towns like Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and more). However you like to spend a mountain weekend, this is the section to start with.
The Ultimate Asheville Travel Guide
Known for its booming brewery scene, creative culinary options, thriving arts and culture, and outdoor adventures, Asheville has become a top tourist destination in the Southeast. This guide highlights all the must-sees, must-dos, must-eats and must-drinks against the Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop.
Looking for a scenic, low-key way to spend time together in the mountains? These five Asheville-area hikes are ideal for someone looking for spectacular views.
Looking for a private place to stay near Asheville? This roundup covers the best cabin rentals in and around the city, from cozy mountain hideaways to spots with room for the whole group.
Known as North Carolina's “Gateway to the Smokies,” Bryson City is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, a whitewater river, a national park, the largest lake in western NC, and miles of trails. This guide covers the small, walkable downtown's restaurants, breweries, and of course the best hikes and activities to do in the Smoky Mountains.
Best Time to See Fall Colors in North Carolina 2026 Guide
Timing a leaf-peeping trip is everything. This guide breaks down when and where to catch peak fall color across North Carolina, with a focus on the mountains.
Just 20 minutes east of Asheville, the small, quaint town of Hendersonville offers plenty of unique local spots to eat and drink. These 12 restaurants need to be on your radar for your next mountain getaway.
The 12 Best Places for Camping in North Carolina | Tent Camping in NC
Want to connect with nature and sleep under the stars? Pitch your tent at one of these North Carolina campgrounds, which offer some of the best tent camping in the state.
The Piedmont is sort of like North Carolina’s middle child. Because it doesn’t have sweeping mountain views or sandy beaches it often gets skipped over more than it should.Â
This is actually where most of the state lives. Charlotte in the south, the Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point) sits just up I-85, and the Triangle (Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham) due east. It’s also home to the state’s NASCAR racing roots. And the Yadkin Valley, North Carolina’s first American Viticultural Area. (Which boasts more than 40 wineries in a stretch of the state most people would never guess grows grapes).
The Piedmont isn’t just the drive-through part of North Carolina, it’s worth its own weekend!
A Weekend in North Carolina Wine Country
Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Yadkin Valley is home to North Carolina's first federally designated grape-growing region and more than 40 wineries. Just an hour and a half north of Charlotte, it's an easy day trip — or an even better weekend getaway.
Off the Eaten Path's Charlotte Restaurants Guide highlights the growing, changing and diverse culinary scene in North Carolina's biggest city — it's a condensed, navigable space featuring everything I've written about Charlotte's restaurants, bars and breweries, including the best restaurants in Charlotte, my personal favorites, my Charlotte food bucket lists, and locals' Charlotte's Best Bites recommendations.
A Local’s Guide To The Best Things to Do In Charlotte NC
Beyond the restaurant scene, Charlotte has plenty to fill a weekend. This guide covers the city's best attractions, activities, and neighborhoods to explore.
North Carolina is home to more than 300 miles of coastline, giving you plenty of seafood to eat and sandy shores to explore.
North Carolina’s Northern coast is home to the Outer Banks. The OBX is a group of barrier islands that feature big waves and watersports, beach towns, wild horses, lighthouses and some of the best seafood in the state. Traveling south (you can even do this via the Outer Banks Scenic Byway and a ferry!) and you’ll hit the Crystal Coast.
Beaufort is the crown jewel of the Crystal Coast. The area features a gorgeous historic homes, a historic Civil War fort turned state park, and a slower pace. Rounding out the coast are spots like Topsail Island, Wilmington, and the Brunswick Islands, each with their own laid-back beach-town feels.
The Best North Carolina Beaches: A Complete Guide to the NC Coast
Not sure which beach destination is right for your trip? This guide breaks down North Carolina's entire coastline, so you can figure out where to go before you even start packing.
The Outer Banks is one of my favorite places on the entire planet — we've been visiting every summer since I was a baby. This super-detailed guide highlights where to stay, what to do, and where to eat on North Carolina's eastern barrier islands.
The Complete Guide to Outer Banks Towns: Where to Stay from Corolla to Ocracoke
The Outer Banks stretches across a string of distinct towns, each with its own personality — from family-friendly Corolla to laid-back Ocracoke. This guide breaks down where to stay depending on the kind of trip you're planning.
A closer look at one of the Outer Banks' most popular towns (and our annual family beach trip destination) this guide covers the best things to do in and around Duck, North Carolina.
Trying to time your OBX trip? This guide breaks down what each season on the Outer Banks actually looks like, so you can plan around crowds, weather, and prices.
27 Top Things to Do in Beaufort NC and NC’s Crystal Coast
Home to Cape Lookout National Seashore, wild horses, a Civil War-era fort, and 85 miles of white-sand beaches, North Carolina's Crystal Coast has a lot going on. This guide covers Beaufort plus the surrounding coastal towns — Emerald Isle, Salter Path, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Atlantic Beach, Harkers Island, and Cedar Island.
the best things to do in emerald isle north carolina
A closer look at one of the Crystal Coast's most family-friendly beach towns — this guide covers what to do, where to eat, and how to spend your time in Emerald Isle
From 25 minutes to 6 hours: 25+ Beaches Near Charlotte, NC
North Carolina has 322 miles of ocean shoreline and 12,000+ miles of estuarine coastline. Whether you're looking for a one-day getaway or a week-long beach vacation, this guide rounds up 25+ sunny destinations anywhere from a 25-minute to 6-hour drive from Charlotte.
