North Carolina

Best time to visit North Carolina

The best time to visit North Carolina depends largely on your own preferences for a holiday.

Spring (March-May) has mild and comfortable weather, blooming flowers and is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and exploring gardens. The state comes alive with colour. You'll find moderate hotel costs and generally fewer crowds than summer. It's important to note some areas like the Outer Banks may not be fully open until April.

Autumn (September-November) also has mild and pleasant temperatures with stunning foliage in the mountains (especially in October) making it perfect for scenic drives like the Blue Ridge Parkway. However October can be very popular for leaf-peeping, especially in the mountains, leading to some crowds and higher accommodation prices in those areas.

Summer (June-August) has the warmest weather which is ideal for beach activities, water sports, and enjoying the lively atmosphere at coastal destinations. This is peak tourist season, especially July and August so expect higher prices for accommodation, more crowded attractions, and higher humidity and temperatures.

Winter (December-February) is the least crowded time meaning lower prices on accommodation. It is good for cosy indoor activities and there is the potential for snow in the mountains for winter sports enthusiasts.

Ultimately, the best time to visit depends on your priorities for your holiday.

Discover North Carolina

Diverse North Carolina has natural beauty in bucket loads in the Blue Ridge Mountains and along its sunny coast, as well as history, art, culture, and adventure. North Carolina’s Atlantic coastline is made up of a long chain of barrier islands, known as the Outer Banks. Partly protected in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, this wonderland is home to free-roaming wild horses, sea turtles and water birds.

Up in the mountainous north of the state, Asheville is an Art Deco boomtown, gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains and some of the best scenic overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is also home to the well-known Biltmore Estate, a 250-room, art-studded, French-Renaissance style mansion. As well as holding an astounding collection of art, the Biltmore also has the distinction of being the largest private residence in America.

Further north America’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee - North Carolina border which is accessible near Cherokee. A UNESCO World Heritage Site it has over 850 miles of hiking trails, countless waterfalls, and abundant plant and wildlife, making it perfect for nature lovers.

Highlights of North Carolina

What is North Carolina famous for?

• Asheville and the Biltmore Estate and Gardens
• Charlotte
• The Outer Banks

Swipe left or right to learn more about each destination.

Asheville and The Biltmore Estate and Gardens

With the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Asheville has outstanding natural beauty on its doorstep which perfectly blends with the city’s mix of art, craft breweries and eclectic dining. A short drive from downtown Asheville is George Vanderbilt’s one-time private residence, Biltmore Estate and Gardens. Now a museum, this enormous French-Renaissance chateau is surrounded by flawless landscaped gardens and inside hoards a wealth of priceless antiques and art treasures. Enhance your visit with a look around the historic winery on the estate, with tastings and a wine bar on site.

Charlotte

Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest city and is the second largest banking centre in the country, after New York. Despite its bustling metropolis, this picturesque and modern city still oozes southern charm and has some interesting attractions. The NASCAR Hall of Fame has four floors of captivating and interactive exhibits that tell the history of NASCAR car racing, plus a thrilling racing car simulator. Visit one of the many art museums including the Mint Museum Uptown and the Harvey B. Gantt Centre for African American Arts and Culture or watch a Broadway themed show or a music concert, Charlotte has a thriving theatre and performing arts scene plus plenty of great restaurants, craft breweries and beautiful quiet parks.

The Outer Banks

This stretch of coast, made up of a chain of barrier islands has a reputation as “the Graveyard of the Atlantic” thanks to its ferocious currents, storms, and hurricanes at sea. But to offset this, the life-saving lighthouses, lifeboats, and pirate lore of the Outer Banks makes this region fascinating to visit. The beaches here are to die for, over 200 miles of undeveloped beaches that are great for surfing and paddleboarding and where you might see wild horses, sea turtles and birdlife. The drive along Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the country’s most scenic routes and offers opportunities to visit lighthouses and walk along the dunes, boardwalks and unspoilt beaches, keep your eyes peeled for over 400 species of birds that can be spotted. World history was also made in the town of Kitty Hawk in the Outer Banks, where the famous Wright Brothers made the world’s first controlled powered flight.