NORTH CAROLINA TRAVEL GUIDE
Why would an Australian family settle in North Carolina and love it?
From the stunning and serene Carolina coast to the lush mountains and vibrant, hipster cities, there is so much to love about this state.
We're excited to be your North Carolina travel guides and share with you the magic of this region that captured our spirits and soul.
We live in Raleigh and also share a lot about the city on our new site,, This is Raleigh. Click to learn more cool things to do in Raleigh
Be sure to check all of our USA travel tips, as we’ve been exploring the country in-depth for the past year on short breaks, getaways, road trips, and a year long RV trip of the American West.
NC BUCKET LIST
We have put together a list of what we feel are your bucket list moments - the top NC attractions and most fun and unique things to do in North Carolina
45 Unique + Fun Things to Do in North Carolina Bucket List
North Carolina couldn’t be a more perfect home for us. From the mountains to the coast, we’re surrounded by unbelievable natural beauty, outdoor adventure, vibrant […]
I recall seeing a photo of this place (Lake Lure) on your Instagram – it looks heavenly. And so quintessentially American, right?? I’m adding this to my list of places to visit while we live in the U.S.
Rebecca
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA
From the ancient forested mountains in the west to the sandy shores and barrier islands in the East, you'll find a warm, eclectic mix of cultures and landscapes to enjoy. From tech geeks, to hipsters, surfers, and pig farmers, North Carolina has a wonderful mix of old and new. We love the quirky personalities of this state.
CLIMATE
North Carolina's climate has a moderate climate. Average winter temperatures are in the 60s along the southern coast and the low 40s inland. Temperatures can rise to near 100 in the summer, and can be very humid.
GETTING HERE
NC is located on the East Coast, half way between New York and Orlando. The I-40 and I-95 run through here making it very accessible by vehicle. Raleigh Durham and Charlotte have international airports. Amtrak's New York-Miami, New York-Tampa, and New York-Washington-New Orleans runs through NC.
FACTS
NICKNAME: Tar Heel State
CAPITAL: Raleigh
SALES TAX: 6.75% + hotel occupancy up to 6%
INDUSTRY: Agriculture, booming technology, and finance
NC COASTAL HIGHLIGHTS
We love the beauty and serenity of the NC coast. We have only just begun to explore it.
Wrightsville Beach is our favorite beach community in the USA. It is some kind of special. And the Outer Banks is a treasured wilderness area for locals and visitors alike.
25 AIRBNB VACATION RENTALS
Looking for great Airbnb Outer Banks rentals for your upcoming Outer Banks vacation?
Look no further, we’ve done the research for you!
11 AIRBNB RENTALS IN RALEIGH
Looking for the best Airbnb Raleigh properties for your upcoming trip to the City of Oaks?
Look no further, we’ve done the research for you!
BEST TIME TO VISIT NORTH CAROLINA
FALL
Late Sept- Oct offers brilliant Fall colors in the mountains. Thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the mountains near Asheville just before Fall. Temperatures can still be warm and lovely throughout NC. Lots of festivals, and sporting events.
WINTER
Head to the mountains for ski and snow activities. Or, use the cooler temps to explore the cities and winter festivals. Why not retreat to a beach house for serenity and ocean views at a cheaper price?
SPRING
The state bursts into bloom, with azaleas in pink and white dogwood blossoms in pink and white in the woodlands. Some festivals will start happening, sunny days start to grow and crowds can be less.
SUMMER
Summers in NC are consistently hot, hotter or hottest. Escape to the cooler mountains or oceanside for a slight reprieve. Expect crowds and book in advance.
OUR PICK
We love Fall and late Spring for travel in NC. You'll get beautiful weather with less crowds and a cheaper experience. FALL is our favorite for the FUN festivals and music, sporting and holiday events throughout the state.
NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS HIGHLIGHTS
A mountain getaway is easy in North Carolina with the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s also home to my favorite lake in the US, Lake Lure.
THE TRIANGLE HIGHLIGHTS
Looking for cool experiences in the Triangle? that is Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill!
Here are a few ideas:
ROAD TRIP IDEAS
Here are a couple of road trip ideas that include places in North Carolina.
WHAT REGION IN NORTH CAROLINA ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT?
North Carolina is divided into three main geographical regions: the Mountains, the Coast and the Piedmont (which includes the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill triangle region. Click the image to head straight to our tips and resource guides for the region you are planning to visit.
FEATURED VIDEO: Outer Banks
We love the Outer Banks: Wild, rugged, beautiful with plenty of outdoor adventures and wide open spaces. Check to see the fun we got up to on a short getaway to the OBX.
MORE SOUTHEAST USA STATES TO CONSIDER
FOLLOW OUR CURRENT ADVENTURES
Travel has been the focus of our life since 1997 - intentionally.
We don't plan on stopping that. We now have a base in Raleigh, NC - after being granted a Green Card for our extraordinary ability in the art of travel blogging.
We will continue to explore more of the US but also intend on traveling further abroad - Europe, South East Asia and Central and South America.
We can't wait to share more of our favorites as we experience them.
Be sure to join our free VIP email community - form below for loads of free US travel planning resources.
And connect with us on social for live udpates!
OUR FAVORITE SOUTHEAST USA TRANQUIL ESCAPES
Want help planning your Southeast USA travels? We start with sharing our four favorite tranquil escapes. Our free VIP email community also gets access to a range of checklists, tipping guides, and itinerary ideas. All easy to print off and follow PDF formats! Fill in the form to join
ALL NORTH CAROLINA ARTICLES
Browse around to find all our articles on North Carolina!.
A Mountains & Music Road Trip (Tennessee + North Carolina)
Are you ready for a fun southeast USA road trip from Raleigh to Memphis? Incredible music experiences and beautiful nature in the mountains of North Carolina nd Tennessee
45 Unique + Fun Things to Do in North Carolina Bucket List
North Carolina couldn’t be a more perfect home for us. From the mountains to the coast, we’re surrounded by unbelievable natural beauty, outdoor adventure, vibrant culture, friendly people, and an almost perfect climate (a little […]
25 Favorite Things to Do in Raleigh, NC (Our Locals Guide)
Okay, so this post has been a long time coming – like 14 years coming! Not sure why it’s taken us awhile to write a post on our favorite things to do in Raleigh, NC, […]
16 of the Most Fun Things to Do in Outer Banks, North Carolina (don’t miss #12)
After experiencing many of the fun things to do in Outer Banks and its natural beauty, we can report that this destination is just heaven. There’s over 100-miles of some of the best beaches in […]
Podcast: Wrightsville Brings out Aussie Lingo and Nostalgia
We had a lot of fun recording this podcast episode and sharing why we resonate so strongly with the beach community vibe of Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina.
2 Day Itinerary: Things to Do in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Looking for things to do in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina? Look no further. We enjoyed a lovely three-night stay in March, and below we share our tips on what to do, places to eat and […]
Why You Should Visit Wrightsville Beach, one of the Best Beach Towns in North Carolina (and our fave!)
Thinking about where to travel next? Or a beach vacation anytime of the year and looking for the best beach towns in North Carolina? Below we share why we love Wrightsville Beach, why it’s one […]
Top Places To Go in the North Carolina Mountains (Western NC)
Now that we live permanently in Raleigh which is a great base to explore the Tar Heel state, we’re excited to start taking road trips and visit all the best places in North Carolina mountains. […]
Climb 499 Steps To The Top of Chimney Rock, NC for Incredible Views!
Chimney Rock State Park is one of the most popular parks to visit in Western North Carolina. And climbing the 499 steps to the top of Chimney Rock is one of our top suggestions for […]
Slip Into Serenity With These 8 Things To Do In Lake Lure, NC
Discover the best Things to do in Chimney Rock And Lake Lure NC for serenity and fun. Lake Lure near Asheville North Carolina is one of my favorite places in the US.