What is the number one tourist attraction in North Carolina?
Matthew Barrera
Updated on April 04, 2026
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Ranked by No. of visitors in 2017
| Rank | Attraction name | No. of visitors in 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 11 W. Jones St. Raleigh, NC 27601 919-707-9845 naturalsciences.org | 946,486 |
| 2 | Fort Macon State Park P.O. Box 127 Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 252-726-3775 ncparks.gov | 896,682 |
Where is the coolest place in North Carolina?
Beech Mountain, North Carolina At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain tops the list as the coolest town in North Carolina and the highest resort area in eastern North America.
What is the nicest part of North Carolina?
The 12 Best Places to Live in North Carolina (in no particular order)
- Greensboro. One of the cities to make up the state’s “Triad” region, Greensboro is home to five colleges and a vibrant art scene.
- Davidson.
- Winston-Salem.
- Durham.
- Carrboro.
- Southern Pines.
- Asheville.
- Wilmington.
What North Carolina is known for?
Here are some of the things that North Carolina is famous for.
- Tar Heel State.
- The Nation’s Largest Private Residence.
- First in Flight.
- Higher Education.
- Beaches. North Carolina is a tourists’ preferred destination not only for people living in the country but also visitors.
Where are the prettiest mountains in North Carolina?
5 North Carolina Mountains with the Best Views
- Rough Ridge. Located on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, Rough Ridge is home to one of the best scenic overlooks in the state.
- Craggy Gardens. Experience the Craggy Gardens on the Craggy Pinnacle Trail.
- Chimney Rock State Park.
- Black Balsam Knob.
- Bearwallow Mountain.
What city in North Carolina has the most to do?
The Top 4 Cities to Visit in North Carolina
- Charlotte: Queen City of a Reason. Charlotte may not be the technical capital of North Carolina, but Charlotteans will tell you that it should be.
- Asheville: Hippy Mountain Home.
- Raleigh: A Foodie Paradise.
- Wilmington: Best of the Old South.
Is Emerald Isle NC safe?
With a crime rate of 51 per one thousand residents, Emerald Isle has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 19.
