(A) Southern Mountains - includes Bryson City, Canton, Cherokee, Clyde, Dillsboro, Fontana Village, Franklin, Hayesville, Highlands, Maggie Valley, Murphy, Robbinsville, Sylva and Waynesville.
The western tip of North Carolina and the southern end of the Great Smoky Mountains, this area is famous for its mountain lakes, white water rafting, hundreds of miles of trails and all the other activities sought after by those wishing to taste a bit of nature in its unspoiled state.
Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties each contribute unique features and activities. The town of Cherokee in Swain county is at the southern end of the Cherokee Indian Reservation (and its new casino for those wishing to try their luck). To the west in southwestern tip of Swain county is the world famous Nantahala Gorge. (You can drive through it on US-74.)
Access from the more eastern regions of North Carolina is via I-40, NC-280 or US-64. Access from Tennessee is by I-40 or US-441 (through Great Smoky Mountains National Park) or US-129 from Knoxville and Maryville or US-64 from Cleveland. Access from Georgia is via US-129 or US-441. Access from South Carolina is via I-26/I-40, I-26/US-64, US-276 or SC-28 through Sumter National Forest (see Upcountry). Each of these routes is blessed with majestic views and (except for I-40) there are ample turnouts where you may stop, relax and just enjoy the scenery or even a picnic.
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(B) Central Mountains - includes Arden, Asheville, Barnardsville, Bat Cave, Black Mountain, Brevard, Burnsville, Chimney Rock, Columbus, Edneyville, Etowah, Flat Rock, Fletcher, Forest City, Hendersonville, Horseshoe, Hot Springs, Lake Lure, Lake Toxaway, Marion, Mars Hill, Marshall, Rutherfordton, Skyland, Swannanoa and Weaverville.
This is the hub of Western North Carolina. I-40 intersects with I-26, US-23 and US-74 at Asheville from which most tours of the region begin and/or end. The Asheville regional airport (AVL) has direct jet service via US Airways to Charlotte and a number of connector airlines to other major cities in the Southeast. The list of hotels includes the nation's who's who with their 800 number reservations systems but there are many, very nice, small independent lodging facilities (including the popular 'bed and breakfasts').
The French Broad River, which flows from Transylvania county through Buncombe and Madison counties into Tennessee where it connects with the Tennessee River, has formed a valley which is probably unique in all the world. With the Smoky Mountains to the west (see Southern Mountains) and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east (skirted by Polk, Rutherford, McDowell and Yancy counties), most of the more severe, distasteful weather passes around the mountain barrier much to the delight of the residents.Cool in the summer, mild in the winter, - what more could one wish for? Oh, yes, for those who live in the more northern or southern climates, - you will really appreciate the virtual absence of mosquitoes. (we keep just enough around so you won't forget what they are.)
Buncombe County is home to the world famous Biltmore House and the Grove Park Inn. The Blue Ridge Parkway skirts the city of Asheville with several convenient points of access. North, via the Parkway, is Mount Mitchell which, at 6,684 feet, is the highest mountain in the eastern United States.
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(C) Northern Mountains - includes Banner Elk, Boone, Jefferson, Lenoir, Morganton, Newland, North Wilkesboro, Sparta and Taylorsville.
Here you are at the top of the world, or so it seems. Actually, the Blue Ridge Mountains here are the highest east of the Rockies. North of Mt. Mitchell in Yancey county (see Central Mountains) is Grandfather Mountain (Avery county). Privately owned and nicely developed into a park, Grandfather Mountain has been outfitted with a range of facilities to suit almost anyone. Linville Gorge and Caverns are just a few miles away (also accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway).
This is the land of such towns as Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Elk Park and, not to be out done, Minneapolis. And the names are just the beginning. If you look beyond the usual tourist shops you'll find that each town has its own personality and has its own flavor to savor.
There are several good access points from I-40 to the south and, from the north, US-221, US-321 and US-421. If you are coming from Winston-Salem, US 421 is recommended connecting with North Wilkesboro.
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(D) Northern Foothills - includes Ashboro, Burlington, Danbury, Dobson, Greensboro, High Point, Lexington, Mocksville, Mount Airy, Reidsville, Wentworth and Yadkinville.
This area holds the cities of Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Burlington, High Point and Ashboro, all famous for many major manufacturers of the 20th century. This area also has an abundance of historically significant sites. Well served by several major airlines, I-40 and I-85 meet at Greensboro and share the same roadbed to Hillsboro. North and south access is via US-52, US-29 and US-220, most of which have been expanded into Interstate-like freeways.
Old Salem is just off US-52 in Winston-Salem and can carry you back to the previous century as you relax your way through the old buildings replete with folks in early-day costumes and relating interesting stories about the former occupants and pioneers.
The area we call the Northern Foothills consists (from west to east) of Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, Casswell counties along the Virginia border to the north, Yadkin, Forsyth, Guilford and Alamance counties across the central portion and Davie, Davidson and Randolph to the south.
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(E) Southern Foothills - includes Albermarle, Charlotte, Concord, Conover, Gastonia, Hickory, Kannapolis, Lincolnton, Monroe, Mooresville, Salisbury, Shelby, Statesville and Wadesboro.
Everyone has heard of Charlotte, the Queen City. But if you would rather spend your time on the water than on the paved streets of Charlotte's old town, there is Lake Norman which stretches across two counties. I-77 runs down the east side of the lake with a half dozen exits allowing access to its waters. To the southwest is Kings Mountain of historic fame.
Charlotte is the hub of a network of highways (it has been said that all roads lead to Charlotte). I-85 connects Charlotte with Greensboro to the northeast (see Northern Foothills) and Greenville SC to the southwest (see Upcountry). I-77. connects Charlotte with Statesville - and on to Virginia - to the north and Columbia (and Fort Jackson) to the south (see Columbia). US-74, mostly 4-lane divided roadbed, is the major connector to Fayetteville (and Fort Bragg) and on to Wilmington to the east (see Southern Heartland and Southern Coast) and Asheville to the west (see Central Mountains).
For those who would rather fly than drive, the Charlotte airport is one of the largest, busiest and most modern in the country and connects directly to cities throughout the world.
The area we call the Southern Foothills consists (from west to east) of Catawba, Iredell and Rowan counties in the north, Lincoln, Cabarrua and Stanly counties in the central and Cleveland, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Union and Anson counties along the border of South Carolina.
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(F) Northern Heartland - includes Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Goldsboro, Henderson, Hillsborough, Kinston, Louisburg, Norlina, Oxford, Pittsboro, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Roxboro, Siler City, Smithfield, Tarboro, Wilson and Warrenton.
The two major eastern north-south interstate highways, I-85 and I-95, enter North Carolina from Virginia here in North Carolina's heartland. Their predecessor, US-1, meanders between them just to remind us of how things used to be. The Northern Heartland is home to Raleigh, the state capital, as well as Durham, Chapel Hill, Rocky Mount and Goldsboro (home of Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base). And don't forget the Research Triangle, brought to fame by our new age of technology.
But don't think the Northern Heartland is all cities and industry. From Cliffs of the Neuse State Park near Goldsboro in the south to Kerr Reservoir State Recreation Area near Henderson in the north, the Northern Heartland has a good share of North Carolina's lakes and rivers.
For those who prefer traveling by air, Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) connects with just about everywhere.
The Northern Heartland consists (from west to east) of Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax and Northhampton to the north, Orange, Franklin, Nash, Wilson and Edgecombe counties in the central portion and Chatham, Wake, Johnston, Wayne, Greene and Lenoir counties to the south.
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(G) Southern Heartland - includes Carthage, Clinton, Dunn, Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Hamlet, Hope Mills, Laurinburg, Lillington, Lumberton, Pinehurst, Raeford, Rockingham, Sanford, Southern Pines and Troy.
Also known as the North Carolina Sand Hills region, this is the golfers' paradise. If you play golf you know Pinehurst and Southern Pines. The scent of the Carolina Pine with the underlayment of clean sand presents a combination very hard to leave when vacation time has expired. Uwharrie National Forest which hosts the Uwharrie, Yadkin and Pee Dee Rivers, in the northwest and the Cape Fear River in the east provide the environment nature lovers cherish. In the south west, near Mount Gilead, is a reconstructed 16th century Indian village complete with temples and a ceremonial center. Railroad buffs will want to visit Hamlet where the old depot has been converted to a railroad museum.
Access from the north is via US-220 from Greensboro, US-1 from Raleigh and I-95 from Rocky Mount and points north (see Northern Heartland). From Charlotte in the west (see Southern Foothills) is the 4-lane divided US-74 (not a freeway and traffic lights in every town but you do move along). From the south is I-95 coming in from Florence SC (see Pee Dee) and from the east, - well, from the east there are 2-lane roads; sorry.
Fayetteville is home to Fort Bragg. If Fort Bragg were a city its full-time residential population would make it the third largest city in North Carolina. Pope Air Force Base just adjacent provides the facilities for training the airborne troops of the 82nd Airborne and affiliated units. Part of Fort Bragg is open to the public and there are exhibits that are of great interest to many.
The Southern Heartland consists (from west to east) of Troy, Moore, Leeand Harnett counties to the north, Richmond, Hoke, Cumberland and Sampson counties in the central portion and Scotland and Robeson counties to the south.
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(H) Northern Coast - includes Ahoskie, Cape Hatteras, Columbia, Currituck, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Engelhard, Gatesville, Hertford, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Murfreesboro, Oracoke, Plymouth, Swan Quarter, Williamson, Windsor and Winton.
Albermarle Sound extends like a huge dagger from the Atlantic Ocean deep into the heart of North Carolina's North Coastal region. The Sound is the heart that provides the main source of vitality for the surrounding counties. Lazily flowing rivers, mostly tide water, sneak in from all directions and provide welcome opportunities for the canoe and kayak aficionados. Just check the tide tables, the time of day, and paddle down stream both ways. Life can be wonderful!
But this region is really famous for its Outer Banks which stretch like a necklace of pearlescent sand from Virginia to Cape Lookout near Morehead (see Central Coast). Lighthouses are sprinkled along this string of barrier islands like diamonds in a necklace. Cape Hatteras, probably the most famous, is also the tallest on the Atlantic seaboard. Many are open to tourists. The stretch of barrier islands from Manteo south to Cape Lookout is preserved by the National Park Service under the names Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore (see Central Coast). NC State Highway 12 affords a very pleasant drive and there are a half-dozen campgrounds for those who would like to drift off to sleep lulled by the mesmerizing sound of breaking waves.
But there is so much more than sand and breaking waves. The region is steeped in history. Many buildings dating from the late 18th century are fully restored and open to the public. There are also many fine, formal gardens (e.g. Elizabeth Gardens in Manteo) and wildlife preserves (e.g. Swan Quarter National Wildlife Refuge in Hyde County). And, there are actually several two-car ferries in daily operation (weather permitting).
Access from the west is via US-64 from Rocky Mount (see Northern Heartland) and US-158 from Roanoke Rapids. From Norfolk VA you would take US-17 or VA-168. From the south there is US-17 and US-264 (see Central Coast). From the Swan Quarter National Wildlife Refuge is a scheduled ferry (reservations strongly recommended) which connects to Ocracoke Island and NC-12 (which takes you up the barrier islands to Manteo and points north).
The Northern Coast area consists (from west to east) of Hertford, Gates, Camden and Currituck counties along the Virginia border (to the north). Bertie, Chowan, Perquimany, Pasquotank counties form the north shore of Albermarle Sound and Martin, Washington, Tyrrell and Dare counties form the south shore. Hyde county is south of Tyrrell county.
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(I) Central Coast - includes Bayboro, Beaufort, Cherry Point, Greenville, Havelock, Moorehead City, New Bern, Trenton and Washington.
The Central Coast area has three major rivers, mostly tidewater, feeding the Pamlico Sound which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the stretch of barrier islands known as the Cape Lookout National Seashore (which is under the protection of the National Park Service). This strip of barrier islands is accessible only by ferry. This area is open to camping (You have to bring everything you might need with you - the islands are uninhabited.)
History buffs will be in heaven - especially if you like pirate stories. Beaufort Island (just off the mainland from Morehead City) has been preserved for future generations. The last family left the island some 25 years ago. Preservation has been instigated by the Beaufort Historical Association and is under the protection of the National Park Service (which maintains a visitors' center on the island).
New Bern, once the State Capital of North Carolina, is also a Mecca for history buffs. Guided tours are available, of course, but, also available are well done audio cassettes which allow you to snoop at your leisure. The Tryon Palace has an excellent English formal garden.
As with the Northern Coast, if you have a canoe or kayak you can look forward to hours - even days - of pleasurable exploring. Ask before you launch because there are some treacherous areas when the tide is coming in or going out.
To the south, between New Bern and Morehead City, is the Croatan National Forest, a very popular recreation area. There is an abundance of facilities from camping and picnic tables to swimming beaches and boat launching areas (motor boating is permitted).
The Central Coast area consists of Pitt and Beaufort counties to the north, Craven and Pamlico counties in the central portion and Jones and Carteret counties to the south.
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(J) Southern Coast - includes Burgaw, Carolina Beach, Elizabethtown, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Mount Olive, Southport, Tabor City, Wallace, Warsaw, Whiteville, Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.
The Southern Coast area consists of Duplin and Onslow counties to the north and Bladen and Pender counties in the central portion. Columbus and Brunswick counties are to the south.
Between Jacksonville (in Onslow county) and the Atlantic Ocean is the famous Marine Corps training center, Camp Lejeune. Almost daily they conduct amphibious training exercises and much of it is viewable by visitors. To get on the base you must have complete vehicle documentation (including proof of insurance) and a valid drivers license.
Wilmington is a large city but it is not as intimidating as one would expect of a city its size. Every Spring they have an Azalea festival of international fame (good luck on finding a place to stay unless you had the forethought to have confirmed reservations). There are a number of very interesting gardens. The kids usually find the US-17 bridge most fascinating. (Ah, to be young again!)
The shoreline has a number of very good beaches. At Southport, the coast makes a sharp bend so that you look south over the ocean between Southport and the South Carolina border. Even the birds seem to know the difference. If you get a chance, watch the sunrise - or sunset - from Long Beach, Holden Beach, or one of the many other beaches along that stretch. The sun rises (or sets) over your shoulder and reflects off of the breaking waves. Nature's version of a million points of light is a sight you will not soon forget.