North Carolina

These mountains, so named for the thin blue mist that floats around them, cover 111,693 hectares of the state, encompassing charming small towns that preserve the area’s unique cultural history and offering a variety of outdoor adventures, from climbing to rafting to camping.

The USA’s largest private residence sprawls across impressive grounds (a 3,237-hectare backyard where you can horseback ride, for instance), has 250 rooms and an ornate façade that barely fits in your camera frame. Nearby Antler Hill Village features the award-winning Biltmore Winery as well as dining, shopping historical exhibits and two hotel properties perfect for longer visits.

One of the cliffs on this imposing 1,828-meter high mountain looks just like an old man, hence the name. Within its scope, you’ll find rock formations more than a billion years old and the region’s most ecologically diverse nature preserve, where you might encounter bears, cougars, otters and bald eagles in their natural habitat. Take in stunning, 360-degree views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, stroll nature paths or hike the alpine trails.

As the Guinness World Record holder for most varieties of beer on tap (more than 350, and most of those are local to North Carolina), Raleigh Beer Garden is an experience of the state’s brew culture like none other. Head to the rooftop garden with its views of downtown.

All things NASCAR are celebrated in this grand Uptown Charlotte megaplex, which is just as educational as it is entertaining. Interactive exhibits and ever-changing experiences, a 278-seat theater, a Hall of Honor, restaurants and shopping keep the rich history of racing alive.

This outdoor recreation and environmental education center features mountain-biking and running trails, a climbing area, ropes-courses, zip lines and a canopy tour, but the crown jewel is a customized whitewater river for rafting, canoeing and kayaking.

Over 1,115 square meters of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles round out the 12 million pieces of inventory from more than 420,000 patterns at this expansive store. Shop, take a tour or spend some time in the museum.

Three unspoiled barrier islands on North Carolina’s Outer Banks make up the Lookout, offering visitors unfettered access to fishing, swimming, birding, boating, windsurfing, kayaking and shelling. Climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse to survey the Crystal Coast or to spot the wild horses that roam here.

Home to the tallest sand dune on the East Coast, Jockey's Ridge is a hot spot for hiking, hang gliding, kite flying and sunset watching over Roanoke Sound. The wind constantly reshapes the 200 hectares of dunes here, so every day offers a new view of this state park.

Raleigh’s Smithsonian-affiliated natural science museum is rich with collections, exhibits and living exhibits, including its Living Conservatory. The museum’s state-of-the-art Nature Research Center brings science to life through even more interactive features.