North Carolina is one of the most versatile states in the country. This is meant in the sense that is possible to see and do so much in North Carolina. To the east is the North Carolina coast and to the west are the mountains. We will cover both areas as well as a few areas in-between. Before we get to that, though, wouldn’t it be nice to see all of North Carolina from your home? You don’t think this is possible, do you? If that’s the case, then you are not familiar with RVing. However, if this is the case, then you already know that your RV is your home. For some people it might be a second home, but it’s still your home, nonetheless. And if you’re planning a journey in which you will RV through North Carolina, you have made a wise choice. Not only does North Carolina have more waterfalls than any other state in the country, but there are vibrant cities, the weather is mild, and the people are friendly.
For simplicity purposes, let’s start east and work our way west. To be honest, if you don’t like the beach, then the eastern part of North Carolina is not for you. However, if you do like the beach, you will be in heaven. The Outer Banks are by far the most popular tourist destination in this area, but don’t get the wrong idea. The Outer Banks are not populated at all. That is one of the reasons it’s has such a great reputation. And when you travel to the Outer Banks by RV, you don’t have to worry about staying in an expensive hotel. Another popular beach is Dog Beach, which has consistently been rated as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the United Sates by The Travel Channel. This beach is a little more crowded than what you will find in the Outer Banks, but it’s not very crowded. The reason this beach is rated so high is because of its cleanliness and how much space is available.
Working our way west a little bit is Raleigh. This is a city that has a lot to offer, including high-end shopping, professional sporting events, and a famous flea market. If you’re traveling with kids, also be sure to visit Marbles, which is an interactive kid’s museum. Try to go on a weekday, though. Otherwise, it will be on the packed side. The food in Raleigh is superb. It would be tough to go wrong in that department. And if you get a chance, try to take a short drive to see the Duke campus. You will find this side trip to be worthwhile.
Charlotte is another great city, but you’re going to have to make a decision. If you stay on the north side of the state, you can pretty much go straight from Raleigh to Asheville, which is a must-see, especially since it’s home to the Biltmore Estate. If you go south to see Charlotte, there is still an advantage. After visiting this southern-charm yet bustling city, you can head almost due wet to the country town of Lake Lure. From there, you can continue on to Hendersonville and Cherokee. Regardless of which route you choose, be sure to end up in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains, where you can stop in Blowing Rock and at Grandfather Mountain.