In North Carolina, natural beauty is abundant. But sometimes that beauty is not natural, but created by man. There’s plenty of fun natural places to explore, but there’s also a whole world out there for creative minds and even just adventurers. You’ll want to explore these places come spring.
- The gorgeous Cape Hatteras lighthouse.
Jeremy Jordan Cape Hatteras is the largest and most majestic lighthouse in North Carolina. North Carolinian or not, plenty of people travel for a glimpse of the beauty.
- The beacon’s light
Jackie Frick Smith Another gorgeous lighthouse is Oak Island. It fits right in with the abundant Coastal Charm.
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
Trip Advisor Daniel Stowe is a day trip away from it all. The lush gardens transport you to a whole other world.
- Edenton Lighthouse
Robert Mullen The Edenton Lighthouse is a beautiful piece of history located in another gorgeous place, Edenton.
- Wrightsville Beach
Mike Bitzenhofer Beach erosion is a serious issue, and Wrightsville Beach was rebuilt in the 1960s and has stood the test of time since. Dredging has allowed the beach to maintain its size and beauty. Plenty of people vacation here during the summer, but few know the actual history.
- Mile High Swinging Bridge
Flickr / Kim Seng The Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain allows you to walk in the clouds and between two rocky peaks. Pure magic!
- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
GSMRR The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad lets you explore some of the most beautiful parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smokies. Not to mention, they offer plenty of ’themed’ rides, like a moonshine tour!
- Biltmore Estate
Flickr / Blake Lewis Biltmore Estate was built as a vacation home for George and Edith Vanderbilt. The breathtaking ‘castle’ brings thousands and thousands of tourists each year.
- Lake Norman
briandick_photography The man made Lake Norman is a favorite boating spot and perfect for spring and summer days on the water. Plenty of people also call this beautiful lake home.
- Outer Banks Scenic Byway
Visit NC The OBX scenic byway allows you to drive with the Pamilico Sound on one side and the Atlantic on the other. A once in a lifetime experience!
- Elizabethan Gardens
Joe Sledge Elizabethan Gardens mixes history with coastal charm for a day that feels away from the world. Almost as if you’re walking through a fairytale book. The Virginia Dare statue holds incredible history. It was carved in Rome by Maria Louisa Lander. On its voyage here, the ship sunk in the Mediterranean. After it was recovered, Lander had to pay for her own statue to get it back. It survived fire and shipwreck to finally make it to its resting place. It depicts Virginia Dare if she had made it into adulthood - a native princess dressed in beads and a fishing net. The natural beauty complements the man made for a gorgeous experience. For more on Elizabethan Gardens, click here.
- Tryon Palace
Flickr / Zach Frailey As the first seat of government in North Carolina, Tryon Palace holds a rich history. It still retains all the charm of its heyday.
- Old Salem
Flickr / Visit Winston-Salem Speaking of history, the beautiful Old Salem is man made beauty still intact with Moravian Charm. A great day trip any time of the year!
- Cape Lookout
Flickr / Zach Frailey Cape Lookout lighthouse points you in the right direction. Not to mention it has my (personal) favorite lighthouse design found in North Carolina.
There’s so many more to add in North Carolina! What are you favorite man made places found in the state?
Jeremy Jordan
Cape Hatteras is the largest and most majestic lighthouse in North Carolina. North Carolinian or not, plenty of people travel for a glimpse of the beauty.
Jackie Frick Smith
Another gorgeous lighthouse is Oak Island. It fits right in with the abundant Coastal Charm.
Trip Advisor
Daniel Stowe is a day trip away from it all. The lush gardens transport you to a whole other world.
Robert Mullen
The Edenton Lighthouse is a beautiful piece of history located in another gorgeous place, Edenton.
Mike Bitzenhofer
Beach erosion is a serious issue, and Wrightsville Beach was rebuilt in the 1960s and has stood the test of time since. Dredging has allowed the beach to maintain its size and beauty. Plenty of people vacation here during the summer, but few know the actual history.
Flickr / Kim Seng
The Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain allows you to walk in the clouds and between two rocky peaks. Pure magic!
GSMRR
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad lets you explore some of the most beautiful parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smokies. Not to mention, they offer plenty of ’themed’ rides, like a moonshine tour!
Flickr / Blake Lewis
Biltmore Estate was built as a vacation home for George and Edith Vanderbilt. The breathtaking ‘castle’ brings thousands and thousands of tourists each year.
briandick_photography
The man made Lake Norman is a favorite boating spot and perfect for spring and summer days on the water. Plenty of people also call this beautiful lake home.
Visit NC
The OBX scenic byway allows you to drive with the Pamilico Sound on one side and the Atlantic on the other. A once in a lifetime experience!
Joe Sledge
Elizabethan Gardens mixes history with coastal charm for a day that feels away from the world. Almost as if you’re walking through a fairytale book. The Virginia Dare statue holds incredible history. It was carved in Rome by Maria Louisa Lander. On its voyage here, the ship sunk in the Mediterranean. After it was recovered, Lander had to pay for her own statue to get it back. It survived fire and shipwreck to finally make it to its resting place. It depicts Virginia Dare if she had made it into adulthood - a native princess dressed in beads and a fishing net. The natural beauty complements the man made for a gorgeous experience. For more on Elizabethan Gardens, click here.
Flickr / Zach Frailey
As the first seat of government in North Carolina, Tryon Palace holds a rich history. It still retains all the charm of its heyday.
Flickr / Visit Winston-Salem
Speaking of history, the beautiful Old Salem is man made beauty still intact with Moravian Charm. A great day trip any time of the year!
Cape Lookout lighthouse points you in the right direction. Not to mention it has my (personal) favorite lighthouse design found in North Carolina.
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