4 Things to Do and See in North Carolina

Looking to take a vacation? If you’re vacation planning, why not consider beautiful North Carolina? From spacious beaches to amazing restaurants, North Carolina truly has something for everyone’s vacation needs.

1. Plan a trip to see the historical wonders. If you like history, you’ll really enjoy North Carolina. You can visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse while you’re there. Built in 1794, it’s the tallest brick lighthouse that exists in the United States. In 2011 alone, more than 100,000 people climbed the 208 feet to the top of Cape Hatteras. You can also go to Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers experimented with lighter than aircraft in 1900, taking advantage of the sand dunes, sparse population, and high winds. In 1903 they managed the world’s first successful airplane flight. The area is now home to the Wright Brothers National Monument, visited by almost 500,000 people in 2011.
2. Visit some graves. There are more than 600 shipwrecks off the notoriously dangerous coast of North Carolina (hence the lighthouse!). Under the choppy waves offshore are modern craft, ships and submarines from World War II, Civil War ships, and even some pirate ships. The USS Monitor, a Civil War turret gunboat, sank there in 1862 after being caught off the coast on New Year’s Eve. The area is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic and is a popular vacation spot for scuba divers.
3. Go to the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks is a long strip of islands along the coast. It runs for 130 miles and is a hugely popular place for vacation rentals. There are spacious beaches, wild pony herds, plenty of room to be alone, and even a spot of land on Ocracoke Island that officially belongs to the UK. It’s where World War II British sailors from the wreck of the HMS Bedforshire washed up onshore. The Outer Banks is also America’s third most popular wedding destination, and a great place for kite surfing, hang gliding, and paragliding.
4. Eat some amazing food. After all the history and all the activities, you’re bound to be hungry. What is vacation if not a chance to eat some great food? North Carolina has amazing fine dining and restaurants, with low country cuisine, seafood, and plenty of international choices, too. After your day of beach rentals and swimming, book in some time at a fine restaurant and really enjoy your vacation.

North Carolina is one of America’s oldest and most historic places. It’s also got great food, plenty of activities, amazing views, and beautiful beaches. It’s a top vacation destination in the United States, so next time you plan a vacation, look into house rentals in coastal North Carolina and see all that this amazing place has to offer.