While North Carolinians know we are lucky to be from such a historically rich, beautiful, prosperous, and amazing state…that still doesn’t mean out-of-staters don’t impose or generate their own ideas about North Carolina. Ever wonder what comes to a non-North Carolinians mind when they think of the great Tar Heel State? Here are 16 things….
- NASCAR
Flickr / Darryl Morran While NASCAR was founded in Daytona Beach its roots are still closely tied with North Carolina. Most notably ‘runnin’ shine’ through the Appalachian region of the state during prohibition. You can learn all about NASCAR’S history at the hall of fame in Charlotte. People also think of the beloved Dale Earnhardt who was born in Kannapolis and is still regarded as one of the best NASCAR drivers in history with a total of 76 Winston Cup wins.
- Krispy Kreme
Flickr / Mark Chang While Krispy Kreme is now an internationally-glazed sensation; its humble beginnings started in 1937 in Winston-Salem.
- Cheerwine
Flickr / Ross Catrow While Cheerwine is succeeding at its domination through the Southeastern US, it’s not easy to forget this cherry-flavored goodness was invented in 1917 in Salisbury.
- Basketball
goatandcompass.com It’s literally impossible to think of North Carolina and not think about basketball. Called one of the ‘best rivalries in the nation’ the tension is so strong during a UNC vs. Duke game the whole country tunes in!
- Pepsi-Cola
Flickr / Zach Frailey Another North Carolina soft drink, Coke’s biggest rivalry is the internationally known Pepsi-Cola born in New Bern in 1893.
- Barbecue
Flickr / Nathan Cardozo People travel across the country to try both Lexington and Eastern style barbecue in North Carolina.
- Carolina Panthers
Flickr / Bill Dickinson Keep pounding!
- The South
buzzfeed.com North Carolina is below the Mason-Dixon line but has a unique southern culture all its own. From yes ma’am to y’all to yonder…we are proud to be part of the south!
- Asheville Hippies
Flickr / Jeffrey Pott While ’the south’ is associated with conservative values, everyone knows Asheville is the one city in NC that is notoriously weird. Although there are a good amount of hippies residing in this area… it’s not just their allure that brings in a massive amount of tourism to this beautiful mountain city.
- Breathtaking Beaches
Flickr / Zach Frailey With North Carolina beaches making several ‘most beautiful’ lists across the nation, it’s easy to associate our beautiful state with gorgeous coast line and sandy destinations.
- Blue Ridge Mountains
Flickr / Jeff Sents On the other side of the state you’ll find beautiful mountains. While the Blue Ridge Mountains are the most common association of thought (also in terms of the Blue Ridge Parkway) NC is also home to the Great Smoky Mountains.
- Movies
en.wikipedia.org While the NC film industry will never be what it used to, that does not change the fact that over 800 feature films and numerous television shows have been made here.
- Alcohol
Flickr / John Walsh From moonshine, to craft beer, to wineries…NC is a state that has long been supplying the party.
- Higher Education
http://msnickellecadvisory.blogspot.com/2014_03_01_archive.html Thousands and thousands of out-of-state students apply to North Carolina schools each year. With notable public and private universities, North Carolina schools are highly competitive.
- American Idol Winners
hollywoodreporter.com North Carolina has the most American Idol winners out of any state. It seems as if North Carolina doesn’t even have to try to breed talented musicians. American Idol or no American Idol, musical talent is abundant here with some of the most famous musicians in the country coming straight from the Tar Heel State.
16. Speaking of music….
Flickr / Darryl Morran
While NASCAR was founded in Daytona Beach its roots are still closely tied with North Carolina. Most notably ‘runnin’ shine’ through the Appalachian region of the state during prohibition. You can learn all about NASCAR’S history at the hall of fame in Charlotte. People also think of the beloved Dale Earnhardt who was born in Kannapolis and is still regarded as one of the best NASCAR drivers in history with a total of 76 Winston Cup wins.
Flickr / Mark Chang
While Krispy Kreme is now an internationally-glazed sensation; its humble beginnings started in 1937 in Winston-Salem.
Flickr / Ross Catrow
While Cheerwine is succeeding at its domination through the Southeastern US, it’s not easy to forget this cherry-flavored goodness was invented in 1917 in Salisbury.
goatandcompass.com
It’s literally impossible to think of North Carolina and not think about basketball. Called one of the ‘best rivalries in the nation’ the tension is so strong during a UNC vs. Duke game the whole country tunes in!
Flickr / Zach Frailey
Another North Carolina soft drink, Coke’s biggest rivalry is the internationally known Pepsi-Cola born in New Bern in 1893.
Flickr / Nathan Cardozo
People travel across the country to try both Lexington and Eastern style barbecue in North Carolina.
Flickr / Bill Dickinson
Keep pounding!
buzzfeed.com
North Carolina is below the Mason-Dixon line but has a unique southern culture all its own. From yes ma’am to y’all to yonder…we are proud to be part of the south!
Flickr / Jeffrey Pott
While ’the south’ is associated with conservative values, everyone knows Asheville is the one city in NC that is notoriously weird. Although there are a good amount of hippies residing in this area… it’s not just their allure that brings in a massive amount of tourism to this beautiful mountain city.
With North Carolina beaches making several ‘most beautiful’ lists across the nation, it’s easy to associate our beautiful state with gorgeous coast line and sandy destinations.
Flickr / Jeff Sents
On the other side of the state you’ll find beautiful mountains. While the Blue Ridge Mountains are the most common association of thought (also in terms of the Blue Ridge Parkway) NC is also home to the Great Smoky Mountains.
en.wikipedia.org
While the NC film industry will never be what it used to, that does not change the fact that over 800 feature films and numerous television shows have been made here.
Flickr / John Walsh
From moonshine, to craft beer, to wineries…NC is a state that has long been supplying the party.
http://msnickellecadvisory.blogspot.com/2014_03_01_archive.html
Thousands and thousands of out-of-state students apply to North Carolina schools each year. With notable public and private universities, North Carolina schools are highly competitive.
hollywoodreporter.com
North Carolina has the most American Idol winners out of any state. It seems as if North Carolina doesn’t even have to try to breed talented musicians. American Idol or no American Idol, musical talent is abundant here with some of the most famous musicians in the country coming straight from the Tar Heel State.
I’ll just leave this here…
What comes to your mind when you think of North Carolina? Tell us in the comments!
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