8 Awesome Places in North Carolina You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
1. Jockey’s Ridge State Park (Nags Head)
Photo: Shutterstock/Hale Kell
The hundreds of miles of barrier islands known as the
Entrance to the park is located off Highway 158, which, along with Highway 12, are the only routes on and off the island. Since this narrow strip of land is surrounded by beaches, you can take your pick of any of the public access paths to get to the ocean. Unlike many other places in the state, these beaches allow dogs, bonfires, and 4×4 vehicles. Of course, the many seafood restaurants,
2. The Barnstormer Murals (Cameron)
Nearly 20 years ago, artist David Ellis and two dozen of his friends descended on his tiny hometown in central North Carolina to paint barns, shacks, and farming equipment. They came to be called the “Barnstormers,” and
Now that the barns have gained such popularity, shops in town give out free maps detailing their locations for curious visitors. Luckily for outsiders, Cameron only has a population of about 300 people, so the tour is a short drive on rural backroads, giving you the chance to take your time, stopping as you like to walk around and among these unique art installations.
3. The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden (Wilmington)
If your only association with carnivorous plants is Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors,
Today, the garden is an official conservation site that’s been deemed federally protected wetlands. You can take in the strange plants from afar via a short trail to platformed viewing areas overlooking the habitat, or walk on wooded trails among the long-leaf pines, flytraps, and pitcher plants. The park is open daily during daylight hours and offers guided tours on Saturdays. However, if you want to get the most out of the park, plan your visit during the annual Flytrap Frolic — a free educational event hosted by the NC Coastal Land Trust.
4. Hickory Nut Falls (Chimney Rock State Park)
Most visitors to North Carolina don’t realize there are over
There are several different ways to get to
5. Frying Pan Tower (30 miles off the coast, southeast of Southport)
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Built in the ’60s,
The view off its 80×80 deck is said to be spectacular, and there’s wifi, a full kitchen, and even a pool table. Alternatively, you can live here for a highly reduced rate as a volunteer during frequent work trips to restore and renovate the place.
6. Shackleford Banks (Cape Lookout National Seashore)
There are
You can see the horses from ferries that operate along
And while the horses will likely just stand and stare at you while they graze, it’s an amazing feeling to watch them from yards away.
7. Asheville Pinball Museum (Asheville)
Located downtown behind the historic Grove Arcade,
While kids do make up a big part of the crowd, it’s really the adults who seem to have the best time, reliving their childhood and enjoying the selection of beers at the bar. If you can stop playing pinball long enough to explore the back rooms, you’ll find vintage Atari and Nintendo games. Just remember to wear a watch — it’s all too easy to lose track of time reminiscing over Super Mario Brothers and Ms. Pac-Man.
8. Land of Oz Amusement Park (Beech Mountain)
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Sitting on a peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains, close to the Tennessee state line, this place is probably one of the oddest travel attractions in the state. Once a thriving amusement park built to complement
Aside from an urban explorer’s or new Wicked fan’s interest in its abandoned yellow-brick road, it’s also worth the winding drive up the mountain to visit “Eastern America’s highest town.”
