We list 28 places to go in North Carolina beyond the state parks: 11 attractions, 9 museums, 4 gardens and nature sites and 4 trails; 2 are free. Hours and prices come from each place’s own site, read October 27, 2026, and anything they do not publish is marked.
- Places to Go28attractions, museums, gardens, trails
- Free to Visit2no admission
- State and National Parks43on our places pages
- Regions9mountains to the coast
Browse by Kind
- AttractionsZoos, aquariums, theme parks, scenic railroads, caverns and a battleship, from the mountains to the coast.11 places
- MuseumsScience, children's, history and military museums and historic sites, with hours and admission from each place's own site.9 places
- Gardens and NatureBotanical gardens, a nature center and a raptor center, with hours and admission from each official site.4 places
- TrailsMountain, parkway and seashore walking and hiking destinations, with the fees and rules each official site publishes.4 places
Map of Places to Go
Smoky Mountains 1
Asheville & Foothills 5
Asheville & Foothills events · State parks
- Biltmore EstateHistoric house, gardens and winery · AshevilleFrom $110
- Linville CavernsShow cave · MarionFrom $15
- WNC Nature CenterZoo and wildlife park · AshevilleFrom $16.95
- Blue Ridge ParkwayNational Parkway (NPS scenic drive) · AshevilleSee below
- Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State ParkState park attraction with elevator, trails and waterfall · Chimney Rock$17 adults
High Country 2
Charlotte Region 3
Triad 4
- Greensboro Science CenterScience center, aquarium and zoo · GreensboroNot published
- North Carolina ZooZoo · AsheboroFrom $20
- Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda House MuseumHistoric estate, museum and gardens · Winston-SalemSee below
- Old Salem Museums & GardensLiving history museum and historic district · Winston-SalemSee below
Triangle 3
Sandhills 2
Eastern Plain & Inner Banks 1
Coast 7
- Battleship North CarolinaMuseum ship and memorial · Wilmington$6 adults
- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort FisherAquarium (closed for renovation) · Kure BeachNot published
- North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll ShoresAquarium · Pine Knoll ShoresFrom $15
- North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke IslandAquarium · ManteoFrom $15
- Fort Fisher State Historic SiteCivil War state historic site · Kure BeachFrom $5
- Wright Brothers National MemorialNational memorial and visitor center · Kill Devil HillsFrom $10
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Bodie Island LighthouseNational seashore with lighthouse · Nags Head / Manteo (headquarters)From $10
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most visited attractions in North Carolina?
We do not rank by visitor numbers because no single official source publishes them for every attraction. This list covers major attractions, museums, gardens and trails in every region, with facts from each official site.
Which North Carolina attractions are free?
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Airborne & Special Operations Museum list no admission charge on their official sites.
Do these prices include tax and parking?
Not unless the official line says so. Parking is listed separately where the place publishes it.
How do I find events near an attraction?
Every page has a Coming Up Near list, rebuilt each day from our checked events calendar.
Sources
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Places to Go in North Carolina: Attractions, Museums, Gardens and Trails”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-north-carolina/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.