When summer hits one thing is on our mind – when and how are we going to find ourselves on the lake, ocean, river, or even swimming hole. Soaring temperatures mean plenty of ways to make the most of taking a cool dip or even navigating across our gorgeous state by way of water.
- Experience a natural lazy river
Deep Creek Tubing Looking for supreme mountain views including waterfalls? Experience it all from the comfort of an inner tube while smoothly riding down Deep Creek. This lazy river features clear water, stunning mountain scenery, and a few notable landmarks. More information and directions here.
- Take a Wilmington Water Tour
Trip Advisor If you find yourself in historic downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach or Carolina Beach this summer one great way to soak up the sights and city is by cruising down the Cape Fear River. Wilmington Water Tours offers daily cruises or private chartered cruises accompanying up to 49 passengers. You can take a variety of narrated cruises including historic tours, sunset tours, Eagles Island and Blackwater Cruise.
- Get adventurous with a waterfalls road trip
flickr/Stan With over 300 waterfalls hiding in the mountains of North Carolina, it can be hard to decide exactly which ones to visit. No worry, we took the work and planning into our own hands to compile an amazing weekend waterfalls road trip letting you see some of the most jaw dropping and some of the most hidden in the state. More information and directions here.
- Wind your way around on kayak
Flickr / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers From drifting through the sound, a long flowing river in the foothills, or even adding some exercise to a relaxing lake day, kayaks are perfect for exploring the state by water. One popular kayak destination includes Great Dismal Swamp State Park, or if you’re more centrally located hop on the Dan River, Lake Norman, Jordan Lake or Belews Creek. You can’t beat the kayaking options at these state parks either.
- Explore uncharted coastal terrain along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway
Outer Banks Rentals Spanning 138-driving miles and 25 ferry miles, the breathtaking Outer Banks Scenic Byway has inspired music, books and poetry. Connecting drivers to some of the most remote stretches along the OBX, including historic pitstops, scenic beaches, and plenty of lighthouses, it’s a bucket list drive for anyone. Planning a long weekend? Read our comprehensive guide and itinerary here.
- Uncover what lies beneath the surface
Flickr / Danny Navarro While many lakes are majestic in sight, Fontana Lake hides an eerie secret. Deep below, the underwater ghost town of Judson persists to remind those of a controversial past to western North Carolina. When the water is especially low, the ghost town is visible. During the creation of Fontana Dam, it wasn’t just Judson but several small towns and people that were displaced. Read the full story on the Road to Nowhere and how to find Judson here.
- Travel along the coast visiting gorgeous lighthouses
Flickr / William Greene If there’s a large body of water, you can be sure of one thing, not far there will be a guiding light. Due to the rough waters found off North Carolina’s barrier islands, lighthouses were a saving grace for sailors navigating the graveyard of the Atlantic. Today, they span and dot our coastline from north to south. If you want to make a whole weekend out of it and see them all, we’ve already planned the perfect road trip for you. More information and directions here.
- Follow the river
Flickr / Melissa Wilkins North Carolina is home to not only one of the oldest rivers in America, but the world. The 320 mile New River forms in Ashe County and flows through southwestern Virginia and onto West Virginia. Another epic river? The French Broad (pictured above). As an ‘antecedence’ it was formed before the Appalachian mountains meaning it’s one of the few ancient rivers that flow across and through the mountains rather than down. Many North Carolina rivers are mysterious and connect cities to small towns. Read about the ten most fascinating North Carolina rivers here.
- Take the ferry to your own private island
Flickr / Lindley Ashline Wild horses, remote stretches of sand, camping beneath the stars? It’s all possible at one of North Carolina’s many islands only accessible by ferry. From the populated and popular Ocracoke to the uninhabited Hammocks Beach State Park (on Bear Island) or popular anchor drop, Masonboro Island (usually only accessed by boat). If you want to visit something truly fascinating, there’s also Portsmouth Island which today is a complete ghost town. Really wanting to leave the world behind? Check out these ten amazing islands.
- Or, just hop right in and take a swim
Flickr / Matt Barnett From waterfall swimming holes to miles of breathtaking ocean, North Carolina is a water lovers dream!
What are your favorite ways to tour North Carolina by water? Any on your bucket list we didn’t mention?
Deep Creek Tubing
Looking for supreme mountain views including waterfalls? Experience it all from the comfort of an inner tube while smoothly riding down Deep Creek. This lazy river features clear water, stunning mountain scenery, and a few notable landmarks. More information and directions here.
Trip Advisor
If you find yourself in historic downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach or Carolina Beach this summer one great way to soak up the sights and city is by cruising down the Cape Fear River. Wilmington Water Tours offers daily cruises or private chartered cruises accompanying up to 49 passengers. You can take a variety of narrated cruises including historic tours, sunset tours, Eagles Island and Blackwater Cruise.
flickr/Stan
With over 300 waterfalls hiding in the mountains of North Carolina, it can be hard to decide exactly which ones to visit. No worry, we took the work and planning into our own hands to compile an amazing weekend waterfalls road trip letting you see some of the most jaw dropping and some of the most hidden in the state. More information and directions here.
Flickr / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
From drifting through the sound, a long flowing river in the foothills, or even adding some exercise to a relaxing lake day, kayaks are perfect for exploring the state by water. One popular kayak destination includes Great Dismal Swamp State Park, or if you’re more centrally located hop on the Dan River, Lake Norman, Jordan Lake or Belews Creek. You can’t beat the kayaking options at these state parks either.
Outer Banks Rentals
Spanning 138-driving miles and 25 ferry miles, the breathtaking Outer Banks Scenic Byway has inspired music, books and poetry. Connecting drivers to some of the most remote stretches along the OBX, including historic pitstops, scenic beaches, and plenty of lighthouses, it’s a bucket list drive for anyone. Planning a long weekend? Read our comprehensive guide and itinerary here.
Flickr / Danny Navarro
While many lakes are majestic in sight, Fontana Lake hides an eerie secret. Deep below, the underwater ghost town of Judson persists to remind those of a controversial past to western North Carolina. When the water is especially low, the ghost town is visible. During the creation of Fontana Dam, it wasn’t just Judson but several small towns and people that were displaced. Read the full story on the Road to Nowhere and how to find Judson here.
Flickr / William Greene
If there’s a large body of water, you can be sure of one thing, not far there will be a guiding light. Due to the rough waters found off North Carolina’s barrier islands, lighthouses were a saving grace for sailors navigating the graveyard of the Atlantic. Today, they span and dot our coastline from north to south. If you want to make a whole weekend out of it and see them all, we’ve already planned the perfect road trip for you. More information and directions here.
Flickr / Melissa Wilkins
North Carolina is home to not only one of the oldest rivers in America, but the world. The 320 mile New River forms in Ashe County and flows through southwestern Virginia and onto West Virginia. Another epic river? The French Broad (pictured above). As an ‘antecedence’ it was formed before the Appalachian mountains meaning it’s one of the few ancient rivers that flow across and through the mountains rather than down. Many North Carolina rivers are mysterious and connect cities to small towns. Read about the ten most fascinating North Carolina rivers here.
Flickr / Lindley Ashline
Wild horses, remote stretches of sand, camping beneath the stars? It’s all possible at one of North Carolina’s many islands only accessible by ferry. From the populated and popular Ocracoke to the uninhabited Hammocks Beach State Park (on Bear Island) or popular anchor drop, Masonboro Island (usually only accessed by boat). If you want to visit something truly fascinating, there’s also Portsmouth Island which today is a complete ghost town. Really wanting to leave the world behind? Check out these ten amazing islands.
Flickr / Matt Barnett
From waterfall swimming holes to miles of breathtaking ocean, North Carolina is a water lovers dream!
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