North Carolina

The Tar Heel State

From the misty mountains to the sunny coast, North Carolina is a variety vacationland, featuring natural beauty, history, arts and adventure. Thousands flock to North Carolina in search of the wonderful outdoors lifestyle and fascinating cultural heritage showcased in many blockbuster movies – including both Dirty Dancing and the Last of the Mohicans. The highest mountains in the eastern US are located in western North Carolina, home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains, all part of the 1,500 mile Appalachian Mountain Range. Here activities include rock climbing and whitewater rafting, while in the winter the adventurous can ride the slopes on skis, tubes or snowboards.

In central North Carolina, you'll find one-of-a-kind shopping or can tee off on one of the state's 400 golf courses, including Pinehurst – the home of American golf. In 2010 travellers will also be able to visit the very first NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, allowing racing buffs to take in the full history of this thrilling sport. The area along the coast has a wide range of accommodation from luxurious eco-lodges to charming welcoming guesthouses. Here visitors can dive into water sports like boating, swimming and saltwater fishing; climb historic lighthouses and bask in the warm sun on the Atlantic coastline.