And if peaceful waters are what you're after, consider the Tuckasegee River, which offers ideal conditions for scenic rafting and tubing. Theres also nearby opportunities for horseback riding and chasingwaterfalls. @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { #1 Most Diverse Places to Live in North Carolina.. East Forest. READ MORE: The 35 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC, 132 Park Ave, Blowing Rock NC (828)295-4636 Official Website. READ MORE:The 10 Best North Carolina Distilleries to Visit, No NC Address (304)535-6278 Official Website. Check out U.S. News' roundup of the best whitewater rafting tours in North Carolina to plan your trip. Technically, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited National Park System unit in the United States, with nearly 16 million visitors in 2021. Metro Area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, Raleigh, 39 . New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions and parking reservation requirements. Throughout the city, there are some interesting neighborhoods filled with awesome restaurants, breweries, and more. Cary is pretty spread out and full of fun places to explore, but spend some time walking around downtowns shops and eateries and youll fall in love with it. To reach the top of Chimney Rock, you can either climb 500 steps or ride the elevator up. In the northeastern reaches of North Carolina, Elizabeth City (est. Raleigh Affordability: 7/10 Job market: 8/10 Safety: 9/10 Wellness: 8/10 Raleigh again tops our list of best places to live in North. But it would be a disservice to the rest of the Outer Banks to let the praise stop there. .wp-block-button a { Our index is based on the total number of days annually within the comfort . And for a spectacular 360-degree view of the state's southernmost barrier island, climb the 108 steps to the top of the Bald Head Lighthouse the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina. Wilmington is known for family-friendly fun, having some of North Carolinas best beaches, and hosting the annual Azalea Festival. . But if you simply want to relax, head to Nags Head, which offers plenty of room to spread out. At 830 square miles, its slightly larger than Great Smoky Mountains National Park! We also included Beasleys, Raleigh Beer Garden, and more in our guide to restaurants in Raleigh. [See: Small Beach Towns That Should Be On Your Radar.]. "source": "woocommerce", What's more, the arboretum hosts a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibitions and events, such as sculpture displays by local and national artists. You can relax after kayaking or scuba diving with some locally caught seafood by the beach. Stone Mountain State Park is one of the truly cool places to visit in NC because it encompasses so much of the natural beauty North Carolina is famous for. See: The Best Places to Retire in 2022. Thanks to the park's year-round prevailing winds, this is an ideal location to try your hand at kite and model plane flying, as well as hang gliding. Home inspectors thoroughly examine homes from top to bottom, but some of the things they really pride themselves in finding may surprise you. READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Bryson City NC & Swain County, 308 West Franklin St, Chapel Hill NC (888)968-2060 Official Website. Before signing a lease or buying a house, visit frequently, check neighborhood safety and learn more about the area. Start with Circa 1800, especially for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and go for their Crab Cakes Benedict. Asheville. Skipping the 12-month lease agreement has perks, but be prepared to pay more for the extra flexibility. 14 Wonderful Winter Getaways in North Carolina. There are cities with unemployment rates that are higher than Albemarle's rate of 7.8%. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the site is staffed with lifeguards; in the offseason, you can still visit, but know that lifeguards aren't on patrol. So, if you plan on exploring the park's 13-plus miles of trails, keep an eye on the forecast. Rent prices have also been trending higher but are in the range of the national average.. Property taxes are also reasonable, while North Carolina state taxes are roughly middle of the pack. Highlands is also known for its variety of waterfalls. A popular retreat for families and traveling groups thanks to its abundance of beachfront vacation rentals, this string of barrier islands off the coast is perhaps best known for its 100-plus miles of beaches. There are also plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing thanks to the 400-plus species of birds that call the area home. Another great, central option for a warm day in winter in North Carolina is Hanging Rock State Park. There are nearly 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, which also shares an additional 220 miles of it with the bordering state of Tennessee. Many outfitters are located near Asheville, making it easy to tack on a day of rafting to your trip. Hickory area residents spend 19.71% of the median household income on housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments, property taxes and utilities. The best deals in North Carolina are usually homes that only need cosmetic repairs, or homes with motivated sellers. Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. /***Underline Links***/ Wed also love to know which one(s) you like best. For travelers who don't want to rough it in one of the park's campsites, there are more traditional lodging options, such as hotels and bed-and-breakfast accommodations, in Bryson City and Cherokee. To make the most of your time, heed the advice of reviewers and pick just one or two activities to enjoy instead of trying your hand at all of the center's offerings. Thanks to low supply and consistent demand, the D.C. metro is poised to remain one of the nations strongest housing markets. When it's time to turn in for the night, you'll have your pick of beachfront vacation rentals, some with space for up to 18 people. Located in a lonely mountain range in the NC Piedmont, Hanging Rock State Park is a treasure trove of outdoor recreational activities. [See: The Most Scenic Drive in Every State.]. Table of Contents show. The collection started with the acquisition of nearly 150 European and American paintings and sculptures. When you get hungry, there are quite a few places to eat in Fayetteville. Its a popular waterway for kayaking andwhite water rafting in North Carolina. There are numerous entry points to the parkway (which is free to access) in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina, but if you want to admire some of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River, you'll want to traverse the parkway near Asheville. If you didn't already know that, let the data prove the facts . In 1947, North Carolina became the first state in the country to use public funds to buy art when the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $1 million for the purchase of art. } ); For a unique experience, consider rafting down the Nolichucky River, which allows you to start your adventure in North Carolina and end in Tennessee. READ MORE: The 7 Best Hikes on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, 199 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville NC (828)348-3400 Official Website. Asheville Biltmore Estate. Albemarle. A rare collection of hemlock trees typically found in Western North Carolina is protected here and you can see them while walking through the Preserves well-maintained trails. When at the ship's bow, keep your eyes peeled for Charlie, the alligator that's usually seen sunbathing in the waters of the Cape Fear River where the ship resides. Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 2Metro Population: 1,959,006Median Home Price: $329,709Average Annual Salary: $56,887. If you're up for the challenge, there's also the more strenuous 2.6-mile out and back Mount Pisgah Trail, which features views of Cold Mountain from its 5,721-foot summit. ), 100+ Unique Things to Do in North Carolina, US Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Iconic North Carolina Barbecue Restaurants, Important Places to Visit and Learn Black History in North Carolina, Airbnbs in Wilmington and its Beach Surroundings, 18 Awesome Things to Do in Kinston (and Why Well Be Back for More! We love this state for the beauty from the mountains to the sea, but some of our favorite things to do happen in and around the best cities in North Carolina. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) - North Carolina has some of the best-run cities in the nation. Yes, but let us break them down. Read More: The Best Small towns in North Carolina. Archer Lodge. If many people are asked to name the third-largest city in the Research Triangle, they might respond with Chapel Hill instead of Cary. The best time to visit North Carolina's coastal towns is in the summer months of June, July, and August. Located along North Carolina's Crystal Coast in the southern Outer Banks, Cape Lookout offers 56 miles of undeveloped beachfront. padding-right: 10px; You can hike to five viewpoints from two trails that depart from the Linville Falls Visitor Center, which is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316. Asheville is an artsy city that brews fantastic beer and is home to award-winning chefs, two of its traits making Asheville one of the best places to live in the U.S. Cradled by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville draws in outdoor enthusiasts . The annual BestPlaces Comfort Index for the North Carolina area is 6.9 (10=best), which means it is more comfortable than most places in North Carolina. Other highlights include the Fontana Dam, Cherohala Skyway, Cullasaja Gorge, and Nantahala River. And finally, if youre interested in digging into the Greensboro food scene, head to these must-eat restaurants or join a Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tour as we did here! Many factors go into choosing an exterior color for your home, from personal taste to your local climate. } min-width: 310px; Engage with the city's country roots on one of these tours. READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Blowing Rock NC, 175 E Main St., Brevard NC (800)648-4523 Official Website. Disclaimer, 12 Bizarrely Beautiful Hundertwasser Buildings, 18 Best Things to do in Frankfurt, Germany, 23 Most Beautiful Islands in the Mediterranean. While visitors should definitely visit the areas state parks and national parks, there are also museums and historic sites like Kitty Hawk, The Freedmens Colony on Roanoke Island, and more. Discover the right pair for every type of adventure and terrain. The most interesting things to do in Elizabeth City NC include visiting Underground Railroad locations and otherhistoric sites(the Wright Brothers came through on their way to Kitty Hawk). Asheville. The food scene on the Outer Banks is also stellar, especially the local breweries and seafood shacks serving up fresh catches from the Atlantic. A couple of hotspots in the Outer Banks ofNorth Carolina Jockeys Ridge State Park and Cape Hatteras National Seashore will appear further down on this list. This is the highest point in Caldwell and Watauga Counties, and the tallest peak on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The towns population has quickly grown since the 1970s, which was then around 8,000. 6.9 / 10. It also absorbed theBoone National Forest in 1921, and much of Unaka National Forest in 1936. Check out our guide covering things to do in Durham if you want more details on things to do in the Bull City! READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA, 1401 National Park Dr, Manteo NC (252)473-2111 Official Website. 52 on the overall Best Places to Live list, Hickory is also the fourth-most affordable place to live out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S., and it's the most affordable in North Carolina. Stock up and save on travel-size toiletries ahead of your summer vacation. Southwest of Asheville, adventures include Mount Pisgah, Devils Courthouse, Richland Balsam (the BRPs highest point), Waterrock Knob Visitor Center, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and theOconaluftee Visitor Center. READ MORE:The 15 Best Things to Do in Banner Elk NC, 1790 Hanging Rock Park Rd, Danbury NC (336)593-8480 Official Website. Arguably Brevards biggest draw is exploring Pisgah National Forest (which is just a few minutes north of it) and Dupont State Recreational Forest (which is just a few minutes south of it). Spirits lovers should head to Waltons Distillery for a tasting and a tour. When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic! Morrisville. #48 Best Cities to Live in America.. Durham. Seasonal yoga, zip lines, a ropes course and more than 50 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners round out the activities available here. If you want to sell your home fast and for the right price, avoid these pitfalls. Many travelers call this a must-visit attraction when in Asheville but warn that it can get quite crowded. Even if you live in the area, enjoy a stay overnight at either the Carolina Inn or the Tusan-themed Siena Hotel. 1. You can also chill out with a beer or two at Fullsteam (or at these awesome breweries in Durham) or relax in and around The Durham Hotel. For starters, its home to WakeMed Soccer Park, the home of North Carolina FC of USL Championship, and North Carolina Courage of the NWSL. Though there are no established campgrounds at Cape Lookout, camping is permitted year-round. text-decoration: none It has the feeling of a college town, with all the hip cultural offerings youd expect. As of the last estimate, Cary houses about 170,000 people and is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the US. 2 spot on the Best Places to Live list. Featured Review: Former Resident says I grew up in Durham, and it was a wonderful experience.The city has a unique mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods that provided me with different perspectives and experiences. What's more, the NASCAR Hall of Fame houses a nearly 300-person theater, a gear shop and a broadcast studio, among other amenities. Within its boundaries, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest has one of the last sections of old-growth forest on the East Coast. There are several nice walking tours in town, including at UNC, Historic Hillsborough, the North Carolina Botanical Garden, etc. You can visit the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast with a trip to Jockey's Ridge State Park. Lounging on the soft golden sands is the main activity here, but this protected area is also home to three historic lighthouses, two of which visitors can climb. You could argue that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the best place to visit in North Carolina, if not the entire country. You don't need a sprawling backyard to have access to your own fresh herbs for cooking or mixing cocktails. The list spans restaurants coast-to-coast and is determined by verified diner reviews. After you've cooled off, explore some of the other nearby trails and waterfalls that dot U.S. Route 276, known as the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway. Huntersville. Covering over 500,000 acres, Pisgah National Forest is split into three distinct districts, with one below Asheville, one east of it, and one north of it.