NC tourism
 

I am thinking about our vacation--this year we will be taking it in Sept as my wife has to have time to heal from some ankle reconstruction in June.
Looking at NC; never been there. I know Hatteras and the Outer banks are popular. What about the mountain side of the state. We will be camping and driving an F250 extended cab diesel.
What is "not to be missed" for a tourist in NC?

A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. If your there in the summer, see a play at the Flat Rock Playhouse, which is accross he street from the Carl Sandburg home. Maybe tour the Biltmore house.?

There's some really good whitewater canoeing in western NC. Nantahala Outdoor Center is there.

You're this close, and you didn't do our Outer Banks light house cruise last March? You missed it. Do the mountains this time, and drive the Mercedes for our next cruise. Not sure when it will be, but we'll pick a little warmer weather.

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/wncwaterfalls/linvillefalls.htm

Linville Falls (credit to my ancestors) is a beautiful area, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. While there, hike short distance to see Linville Gorge.

I was there 4 years ago, and due to my name, was treated like royalty.

For a splurge, stay at the Best Western Mountain Lodge. Great service and very comfortable...i was given a free night's stay due to my namesake!

Man, it's good to be a Linville!! LOL

I also recommend that drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In the northwestern part of the state, Boone is nice. I live in northeast Tennessee, but only about 40 miles west of the NC state line. Boone is 52 miles southeast of me. Its wild though, because they are like 1700 ft higher in elevation and its like another world up there. :) Also, just off of the continental divide and heading down into the Piedmont, you may want to check out Mount Airy NC. This is Andy Griffiths home town and where "Aunt Bee" moved to in real life in her later years. Its a quaint little town. Also, going down I-77 just before you get into NC, there is a nice downgrade off of the mountains with a spectacular view! You are in Virginia, but looking off into lower flatland which is North Carolina. On clear days its like you can see for a hundred miles off to the southeast.

The west central part of the state- you can visit the Great Smoky Mountains. Its in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Just off to the west of there in east Tennessee, you have Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and is a very large tourist area. Also, in NC, Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the eastern USA east of the Mississippi River. It peaks at 6684 ft. Check out this link.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Mitchell

Southwestern North Carolina - Asheville is a neat city and also the Biltmore Estate is there- Ive never been, despite only being 2 hours away, but would like to go someday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biltmore_Estate

Also, just to the southwest of there is Cherokee Indian reservation. There are museums, but I think the big thing there now are the casinos.
Here is a link to their website as well...
http://www.cherokee-nc.com/
the casinos:
http://www.harrahscherokee.com/casinos/harrahs-cherokee/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml

Lastly, if you head just to the south of the North Carolina / Georgia state line is Brasstown Bald, which is the highest mountain in Georgia at nearly 4900 ft.

If you want to hit the big city life and one of the largest cities in the southeast, Charlotte is not too far away.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte,_North_Carolina

Photos I took while in Charlotte in early fall of 2006...
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_2926.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_2927.jpg

Lastly, some photos I took in late October of last year this was coming out of upstate South Carolina, heading up into North Carolina...
In South Carolina
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9441.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9444.jpg
Crossing into NC
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9458.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9464.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9471.jpg
In then into Tennessee.....
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9474.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9479.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9487.jpg

and this was on the way to visit relatives in SC. This was I-26 south, just out of TN and in NC.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...s/100_9354.jpg

Hope this helps!

Well, for some fun driving, there's the Tail of the Dragon (US 129) in Deal's Gap NC. 318 curves in 11 miles!:eek::D
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon.html
http://www.dealsgap.com/attractions.htm

That would be a site to see,, an SD leaning into the curves on the Dragon's tail... lol

Worse, an extended cab diesel F250 with a 28' fith wheel behind it. ( I think I'll take a pass on that part of the trip).

Thanks for all the ideas.

PM John Doe. He sent me a link to cabin rentals in the mtns that looked gorgeous. Rates were high (for me!) but not exorbitant. Mrs B & I almost went this past fall. There are farms out there where you can harvest heirloom apples and I have had a hankering for some winesaps for about 20 years or so.

Why would I tow a house and rent a cabin?
I can buy Winesaps cheaper than driving to NC.

Ohh natural Ferrari and Lotus habitat!:D

I loved the Outer Banks, FANTASTIC fishing. I havn't been in years but the last time we went we chartered a sportfish and did some tuna fishing, it was a blast!

Deep Creek near Bryson City is a beautiful area and very popular with campers.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/deepcreek.htm

that's some funny shirt rat thar!