North Carolina: 8 Amazing Sights You Can Visit By Car

North Carolina is traditionally considered to be one of the most ordinary-looking American states. Events on a national or global scale rarely take place here. However, despite this, North Carolina is a state of active tourism. It’s not that far from Florida and its subtropical climate offers excellent travel opportunities.

Looking to head to North Carolina on your next vacation? Rent a car to get around the state easily. You can pick up Alamo rental car RDU Airport in Raleigh. As a state capital, this will be a great starting point for your journey. In addition, Raleigh is located in the geographic center of North Carolina, making it easy for you to drive a rental car where you want. So what to see and where to go on your trip to NC? Check out the following list...

Durham Performing Arts Center

Durham is home to the largest Performing Arts Center in South and North Carolina. It was opened about ten years ago and cost $48 million to construct a unique building. The center is incredibly multifunctional. Here you can see and hear modern shocking art-house performances, classical music concerts, Broadway performances, as well as spectacular events for adults and children.

Biltmore Estate

The state's main attraction is the famous Biltmore Estate in Asheville. This palace was built by the legendary businessman, collector, and representative of the famous American family, George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 19th century.

The scale of the Biltmore Estate is astounding. Between 1889 and 1995, it was considered the largest private house in the United States. Just imagine: the house has 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms.

According to real estate experts, no billionaire today could support the Biltmore Estate. Taxes, electricity, fountains, gardeners, security guards, housekeepers, and cooks would have cost millions of dollars. Only Vanderbilt II could live in such luxury.

Today, the Biltmore Estate not only hosts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year but is also a popular backdrop for Hollywood films.

Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains are the natural pride of North Carolina. It’s a 469-mile road that runs through Virginia and parts of NC. Each mile provides travelers with amazing views of fields, mountains, lakes, rivers, hills, and forests. This makes it a great place to drive your rental car.

In fact, sometimes people even get to these places from Mexico and Canada to drive 469 miles. Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the United States and certainly on the entire East Coast. It connects two national parks - Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains.

But the main thing is that Blue Ridge Parkway is not just a picturesque road, along which you can drive through the mountains and admire beautiful panoramic views. There are many viewing platforms along the Blue Ridge Road and many interesting hikes to the waterfalls.

Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum

Maggie Valley is home to the famous Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum. Its name speaks for itself. Here you will see wheeled vehicles that have evolved over the decades. In total, the museum gives you access to 300 very rare cars and motorcycles. What’s more, some exhibits have survived to this day in a single copy.

Airborne and Special Operations Museum

The Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville is dedicated to the US Airborne Forces, as well as special operations against terrorist organizations and non-free regimes. The museum opened about 20 years ago, but unlike other military history museums, it pays attention to special equipment and electronics. Within the walls of the Special Operations Museum, you will quickly realize that the American army goes far ahead of even the most developed countries in terms of its power and technology.

Billy Graham Library

Charlotte is another amazing city on the North Carolina map. Its most iconic landmark is the Billy Graham Library. Who is Billy Graham? He is one of the most famous Christian leaders and an iconic figure for evangelicals, Baptists, and Protestants.

Graham has held high places on the lists of the most respected people in America. His popularity has eclipsed even presidents. Today, nobody remembers that in 1996 it was Graham who preached a sermon for an audience of 2.5 billion people. Billy spoke traditionally about love, sympathy, trust, forgiveness, and world peace.

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is located in the town of Rodanthe. Previously, the best cadres of the US Marine Corps served here. Since there were no modern means of communication, local specialists were guided by the signals of the beacon and the primitive telegraph.

First of all, they rescued fishermen and tourists who were sucked into the ocean. But they also collected shipwrecked cargo washed ashore and helped locals rebuild their homes after floods and hurricanes.

Working at Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station was considered the most difficult and dangerous in North Carolina. As you explore the exhibits of the museum, you will quickly understand why.

Ocean Isle Beach

North Carolina's Atlantic coastline is a popular beach destination and one of the best natural sites in the state. Tourists adore this beach for its dazzling scenery along with clear ocean water. A variety of restaurants, bars, massage rooms, changing cabins, and toilets provide all the amenities for visitors.

The water in this area is almost always warm due to the shallow depth, so Ocean Isle is perfect for families. Lovers of an active pastime will enjoy diving and surfing as well. The exotic wildlife surrounding the beach will be another great reason to visit Ocean Isle Beach.