Holiday ideas in the Tar Heel State

North Carolina, home of NASCAR

Friday, 24, Oct 2008 12:00

Pinned between the fearsome Atlantic Ocean to the east and Great Smokey Mountains in the west, North Carolina is a American state of contrasts.

On the one hand it is home to the rugged outdoor terrain adored by sports enthusiasts; providing ideal locations for hikers, surfers, and mountain bikers alike, while also offering a generous selection of beaches, historic towns and sporting venues for the more sedate visitor.

At this time of year it also comes alive with the vibrant colours of autumn across some of its highest peaks, providing a wonderful spectacle for visitors.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at what makes the Old North State special to its ever increasing number of domestic and international visitors.

The sights and sounds of North Carolina

Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, the state capital of Raleigh is a charming city - filled with oak lined streets and a huge offering of free attractions.

Two favourites are the North Carolina Museum of Art and the North Carolina Museum of History, both showcasing the state's best art work and fascinating history.

Raleigh Little Theatre gives visitors a chance to catch a show without having to pay Broadway's prices. Dinning out in Raleigh is also likely to be a highlight of the trip, with a huge variety of international cuisine on offer, as well as superb North Carolinian barbeque and fresh seafood from the coast.

Raleigh's most well known hotel is also the state's first five-star property - The Umstead is a world-class resort nestled in the woods in the suburb of Cary.

Over on the coast, the Outer Banks stretch 100 miles out to sea and hug the shoreline of North Carolina, offering a unique and magical place filled with an impressive range of attractions and activities.

Composed of a chain of sand bank islands, the region's unique structure protects the mainland's fragile coastline from the powerful Atlantic Ocean, with the inner 'Sounds' of Cutterick and Pamlico a haven for birdlife and perfect for families with safe, gentle waters.

However, the outer coast offers first class surfing and diving in an area known as the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic'. The site also boasts the highest sand dunes on the Eastern Seaboard and was the location for the attempt of the very first flight by the Wright Brothers.

Miles of stunning, white sand beaches are also strung out along the coast, attracting tourists from across America and further afield.

Not only famous for world-class adventure sports, the area is also bursting with history too, and is home one of the world's greatest puzzles - the strange disappearance of the first colony in America. Consisting of 90 men, 17 women and 11 children, it strangely vanished within a few years of being established, with the only clues being the word 'Croatoan' carved on the post of the fort and two buried skeletons amongst the dismantled buildings. This famous story is celebrated every summer in a season of theatre shows.

Down in the south of the state Charlotte, is close to the border with South Carolina. It is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city boasting fantastic hotels, vibrant nightlife and world-renowned shopping. The town was also recently voted as the best place to live in America.

Guests can visit one of the 17 shopping malls within the city boundaries or explore the bohemian shops of the NODA district or the high-end fashion of Downtown.

With a prestigious catering college in the city, the restaurants are first class with every cuisine catered for. Home of NASCAR and the US National Whitewater Centre, the city is perfect for sporting enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies.

Check out North Carolina's nightlife, especially the Coyote Ugly Saloon, where dancing bartenders, stiff drinks and great music serve up the perfect night out. And for a more cultural approach, the Charlotte Museum of History will treat you with all the artifacts to delve into this great city's history.

Finally, known as the Gateway to the North Carolina Mountains, Asheville is an incredibly quirky city with an enigmatic bohemian vibe.

Its cobbled streets are lined with quaint art galleries, cafes and shops selling mountain produced and locally made gifts.

Every corner boasts its own talented musician and the nightlife certainly rivals its larger sister cities. Home to the world-famous Blue Grass music, the city comes alive after dark with plenty of live shows and international bands, all lured by the unique atmosphere of this magical mountain town.

For adventure lovers the surrounding mountains are a haven for both summer and winter sports with great ski fields, white-water rafting and trekking on the Appalachian Trail.

The largest private residence in the USA, called the Biltmore Estate, is also on view and is even bigger than the White House. The property has over 250 rooms within the premises, a massive indoor pool, its own bowling alley and a beautiful hotel within its grounds.

Golf in North Carolina

For the enthusiast North Carolina offers a wealth of world-class golf courses. Among the best are the three designed by Donald Ross - considered to be amid the very best in the business.

The Pinehurst No. 2 golf course, designed by Ross in 1907, has hosted the US Open Championships as well as some of the world's most prestigious amateur tournaments, while the Linville Golf Club and Wilmington Golf Club are also popular.

For those looking to play on the coast, the Bald Head Island Club and Ocean Ridge Plantation offer a world of possibilities, while in the mountains the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa has seen Nicklaus, Trevino and Player tackle the greens.

Something to look forward to.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park - situated right at the heart of the geography and psyche of North Carolina - is a hikers' paradise. It offers some great scenic walks and a chance to spot wildlife in its natural habitat, and is also home to many outdoor activities; with mountain biking, camping, fishing and horseback riding to name a few. There are also many waterfalls for visitors to enjoy, and not forgetting the Smoky Mountains themselves.

Among the most spectacular sights is a walk to the summit of Grandfather Mountain, to survey the blanket of colours spread out beneath hikers' feet. The 360 degree unparalleled views, stretch from Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in North Carolina, to the Charlotte skyline over 80 miles away (on a clear day!). At 5,964 feet above sea level, the winds can reach speeds of over 100mph so be sure to hold on tight!

Next year the National Park Service celebrates 75 years of history in the park, along with the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Also, to be sure to take full advantage of the areas attractions, guests are invited to pick up a newly launchedGo Blue Ridge Card, which offers admittance to all attractions along the parkway for one discounted price. With a two day pass from $79 (£50) per adult, it can prove to be a worthy purchase and a vital guide to any trip.

For the more adventurous, North Carolina allows enthusiasts to push the pedal to the metal at of the best car races in the world, NASCAR. Many racing fans around the world can identify this event to be one of the most highly anticipated races of the year, with hundreds of thousands of people every year trying to get tickets for this great spectacle.

Celebrating its 60th year running, NASCAR continues to thrill motor heads around the world and will do so for years to come.

More information

For all the information you need for the perfect trip to North Carolina head over to the official tourist website.