From the majestic, rugged mountains to the shimmering sea, North Carolina is jam-packed with extraordinary choices of attractions for residents and bushels of visitors from far and wide. Take a horseback ride, eat in a fancy restaurant, go whitewater rafting, or enjoy a hike — if you want it; it’s here. Read on for a list of 12 magnificent hidden gems to discover in the state this year.
- Unforgettable Campground
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area/Facebook Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is located in the unforgettable Appalachian District of the Pisgah National Forest in Burnsville.
Bring your tent or RV as the campground has 31 sites for both.
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area/Facebook Modern bathhouses with hot showers are available, along with swimming, hiking, and picnicking. Reserve your site today. Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, 6000 NC-80, Burnsville, NC 28714, USA
- Exquisite Coffee Shop
Daphnes Coffee Shop/Facebook Daphne’s is named after a kind and lovely resident of Littleton, the small town with the big heart. Get a serious cup of coffee here from the specially trained baristas Daphne’s Coffee Shop, 137 E South Main St, Littleton, NC 27850, USA
From Bigfoot gingerbread cookies laced in blue icing to muffins, and pastries, freshly baked deliciousness lives in this display case.
Daphnes Coffee Shop/Facebook
- Forested Waterfall Hike
Amanda White/AllTrails The Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop is a 4-1/2-mile moderately rated trail in the Davidson River Recreational Area in Brevard. Davidson River Recreational Area, Brevard, NC 28712, USA
The beautiful Cedar Rock Falls and Grogan Creek Falls are accessed by this hike.
Live Cooper/AllTrails
- Incredible Hometown Shopping
StephenCross/TripAdvisor Brightleaf Square is comprised of sturdy brick buildings constructed in 1904 by the American Tobacco Company and the Duke family. Brightleaf Court, Brightleaf Ct, Durham, NC 27713, USA
The interesting space holds offices, charming restaurants, and an eclectic choice of boutiques to peruse.
Indio Durham/Facebook
- Epic Mountain Climbing and Whitewater Rafting
Edge of the World Whitewater Rafting and Climbing/Facebook Edge of the World in Banner Elk is the perfect name as the experiences you will have here exercise your physical limitations climbing Little Lost Cove Cliffs, including lunch, guides, and all equipment. Book a date now. EDGE of the WORLD NC Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing and Rappelling, 394 Shawneehaw Ave S, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA
Or how about a whitewater adventure down the scenic Watauga River? Yes, you can.
Edge of the World Whitewater Rafting and Climbing/Facebook This three-to-four-hour excursion will leave you wanting more. Book a reservation now.
- Beyond Delicious Restaurant
Heirloom Restaurant/Facebook The award-winning, farm-to-table Heirloom Restaurant, in Belmont, offers a revolving seasonal menu. Heirloom, 33 Glenway St, Belmont, NC 28012, USA
The winter vegetable salad brings roasted and pickled vegetables, quinoa, and chili-miso vinaigrette with fresh greens.
Heirloom Restaurant/Facebook Or try the classic east coast shrimp and grits with house-made creole sauce, and locally milled polenta.
- A Creative Pottery Center
pparrothead/Facebook The National Carolina Pottery Center, in Seagrove, is an engaging place to discover the stories behind and enjoy the beauty of North Carolina’s world-class clay culture. North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 East Ave, Seagrove, NC 27341, USA
Explore the first-rate exhibitions and educational opportunities offered here.
North Carolina Pottery Center | Seagrove, NC/Facebook Sign up for a class.
- Out-Of-This-World Rock Collection
ROCK Museum of Scotland Neck/Facebook The ROCK Museum of Scotland Neck features a diverse collection of rocks, gems, minerals, and fossils, including dinosaur bones, collected from all over the world. Rock Museum, 382 Main St, Scotland Neck, NC 27874, USA
Live demonstrations are offered throughout the week, inside and out, from rock cutting, polishing, and tumbling.
ROCK Museum of Scotland Neck/Facebook
- Absolutely Delicious Ice Cream
Artesana Ice Cream/Facebook Artesana Ice Cream’s made-from-scratch recipe is sweetened with honey or kabocha extract, and natural fruit. Artesana Ice Cream, 76 S Main St, Marion, NC 28752, USA
The staff at this parlor whip up some scrumptious treats, such as this mega hot fudge cake.
Artesana Ice Cream/Facebook
- Another Transformative Waterfall Hike
Justin Potter/AllTrails Secret Wall Falls is a moderately challenging 2.3-mile out-and-back trail in Marion takes about an hour to finish, but it’s worth your time as you can see by the reaction of this traveler. Old Nc 106, North Carolina, USA
And look what else is there.
Megan Bruss/AllTrails
- Essential Horseback Riding
C & C Farm/Facebook C&C Farm, in Louisburg, provides trail rides as another way to appreciate the outdoors. To schedule, call 919-630-7000.
If you have a group — no problem — up to 10 riders can go at once.
C & C Farm/Facebook Private lessons, boarding, and birthday parties are also offered on 65 pastoral acres.
- A Place To Call Home
Brookside Mountain Mist Inn/Facebook Reserve your room at the Brookside Mountain Mist Inn, a luxury bed and breakfast in Waynesville. Brookside Mountain Mist Bed & Breakfast, 142 Country Club Dr, Waynesville, NC 28786, USA
The oversized guestrooms offer three-course gourmet breakfasts and breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Brookside Mountain Mist B&B
Did at least one of these magnificent hidden gems get you packing your bags? If you visit one, please tell us about your experience in the comments below. And while you’re there, be sure to visit this exciting indoor water park.
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area/Facebook
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is located in the unforgettable Appalachian District of the Pisgah National Forest in Burnsville.
Modern bathhouses with hot showers are available, along with swimming, hiking, and picnicking. Reserve your site today.
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, 6000 NC-80, Burnsville, NC 28714, USA
Daphnes Coffee Shop/Facebook
Daphne’s is named after a kind and lovely resident of Littleton, the small town with the big heart. Get a serious cup of coffee here from the specially trained baristas
Daphne’s Coffee Shop, 137 E South Main St, Littleton, NC 27850, USA
Amanda White/AllTrails
The Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop is a 4-1/2-mile moderately rated trail in the Davidson River Recreational Area in Brevard.
Davidson River Recreational Area, Brevard, NC 28712, USA
Live Cooper/AllTrails
StephenCross/TripAdvisor
Brightleaf Square is comprised of sturdy brick buildings constructed in 1904 by the American Tobacco Company and the Duke family.
Brightleaf Court, Brightleaf Ct, Durham, NC 27713, USA
Indio Durham/Facebook
Edge of the World Whitewater Rafting and Climbing/Facebook
Edge of the World in Banner Elk is the perfect name as the experiences you will have here exercise your physical limitations climbing Little Lost Cove Cliffs, including lunch, guides, and all equipment. Book a date now.
EDGE of the WORLD NC Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing and Rappelling, 394 Shawneehaw Ave S, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA
This three-to-four-hour excursion will leave you wanting more. Book a reservation now.
Heirloom Restaurant/Facebook
The award-winning, farm-to-table Heirloom Restaurant, in Belmont, offers a revolving seasonal menu.
Heirloom, 33 Glenway St, Belmont, NC 28012, USA
Or try the classic east coast shrimp and grits with house-made creole sauce, and locally milled polenta.
pparrothead/Facebook
The National Carolina Pottery Center, in Seagrove, is an engaging place to discover the stories behind and enjoy the beauty of North Carolina’s world-class clay culture.
North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 East Ave, Seagrove, NC 27341, USA
North Carolina Pottery Center | Seagrove, NC/Facebook
Sign up for a class.
ROCK Museum of Scotland Neck/Facebook
The ROCK Museum of Scotland Neck features a diverse collection of rocks, gems, minerals, and fossils, including dinosaur bones, collected from all over the world.
Rock Museum, 382 Main St, Scotland Neck, NC 27874, USA
Artesana Ice Cream/Facebook
Artesana Ice Cream’s made-from-scratch recipe is sweetened with honey or kabocha extract, and natural fruit.
Artesana Ice Cream, 76 S Main St, Marion, NC 28752, USA
Justin Potter/AllTrails
Secret Wall Falls is a moderately challenging 2.3-mile out-and-back trail in Marion takes about an hour to finish, but it’s worth your time as you can see by the reaction of this traveler.
Old Nc 106, North Carolina, USA
Megan Bruss/AllTrails
C & C Farm/Facebook
C&C Farm, in Louisburg, provides trail rides as another way to appreciate the outdoors. To schedule, call 919-630-7000.
Private lessons, boarding, and birthday parties are also offered on 65 pastoral acres.
Brookside Mountain Mist Inn/Facebook
Reserve your room at the Brookside Mountain Mist Inn, a luxury bed and breakfast in Waynesville.
Brookside Mountain Mist Bed & Breakfast, 142 Country Club Dr, Waynesville, NC 28786, USA
Brookside Mountain Mist B&B
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