Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of North Carolina (North Carolina (NC))
North Carolina (North Carolina (NC)) features major hubs at Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville & Outer Banks. Key sights, National & State Parks, and travel highlights across the state include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway & Biltmore Estate (Asheville), Outer Banks Wright Brothers Memorial & Research Triangle.
How to get to North Carolina
Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) international hubs, Amtrak Carolinian & Piedmont trains, and I-40/I-85/I-95. Use our Amtrak & USA Rail Pass Calculator ($) and $80 National Parks Pass Calculator to plan your route.
Signature local food in North Carolina
When visiting cities and towns across North Carolina, look out for these regional American specialties at classic diners, smokehouses, seafood shacks, and farmers markets:
- Eastern whole-hog vinegar BBQ & Lexington pork shoulder
- Calabash-style coastal fried seafood & she-crab soup
- Livermush & Southern cheddar biscuits
- Sweet potato pie & glazed sour-cream doughnuts
- Asheville mountain craft beers & Cheerwine cherry soda
Best time to visit North Carolina
Best time to visit North Carolina: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov (Oct for Blue Ridge foliage).
Featured cities & towns in North Carolina (22 featured · 285 total)
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, county & elevation facts, nearest airport/Amtrak station, regional food specialties, and neighboring towns:
| City / Town | County & Type | Population | Elevation | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Charlotte, NC | US City | 911,311 | 229 m (751 ft) | City guide → |
| Raleigh Raleigh, NC | US City | 482,295 | 96 m (315 ft) | City guide → |
| Greensboro Greensboro, NC | US City | 285,342 | 266 m (873 ft) | City guide → |
| Durham Durham, NC | US City | 257,636 | 123 m (404 ft) | City guide → |
| Winston-Salem Winston-Salem, NC | US City | 241,218 | 293 m (961 ft) | City guide → |
| Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC | US City | 201,963 | 29 m (95 ft) | City guide → |
| Cary Cary, NC | US City | 159,769 | 152 m (499 ft) | City guide → |
| Wilmington Wilmington, NC | US City | 115,933 | 9 m (30 ft) | City guide → |
| High Point High Point, NC | US City | 110,268 | 281 m (922 ft) | City guide → |
| Asheville Asheville, NC | US City | 95,056 | 649 m (2129 ft) | City guide → |
| Greenville Greenville, NC | US City | 90,597 | 18 m (59 ft) | City guide → |
| Concord Concord, NC | US City | 87,696 | 228 m (748 ft) | City guide → |
| Gastonia Gastonia, NC | US City | 74,543 | 245 m (804 ft) | City guide → |
| Jacksonville Jacksonville, NC | US City | 67,357 | 4 m (13 ft) | City guide → |
| Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | US City | 59,568 | 148 m (486 ft) | City guide → |
| Rocky Mount Rocky Mount, NC | US City | 55,806 | 30 m (98 ft) | City guide → |
| Camden Camden, NC | US City | 599 | 3 m (10 ft) | City guide → |
| Jackson Jackson, NC | US City | 481 | 31 m (102 ft) | City guide → |
| Mariposa Mariposa, NC | US City | 0 | 212 m (696 ft) | City guide → |
| Seward Seward, NC | US City | 0 | 290 m (951 ft) | City guide → |
| Springdale Springdale, NC | US City | 0 | 228 m (748 ft) | City guide → |
| Williams Williams, NC | US City | 0 | 34 m (112 ft) | City guide → |