Highest-rated things to do in North Carolina, according to Tripadvisor

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By Stacker

June 26, 2024

Whether you’re a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in North Carolina, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you’re craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan’s famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity’s charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal.

Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it’s not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it’s also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you’ve lived in North Carolina your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you’ve yet to cross off your list.

From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you’ll find your appreciation for North Carolina reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in North Carolina using data from Tripadvisor.

Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 3, 2024.

Whether you’re a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in North Carolina, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

#30. Asheville Pinball Museum

– Rating: 4.5/5 (950 reviews)
– Address: 1 Battle Square Ste 1B Asheville, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Topsail Island

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,110 reviews)
– Address: 818 Ocean Blvd. Surf City, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Greensboro Science Center

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,316 reviews)
– Address: 4301 Lawndale Drive Greensboro, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Airlie Gardens

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,132 reviews)
– Address: 300 Airlie Road Wilmington, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,572 reviews)
– Address: 374 Airport Road off US 64 Manteo, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,430 reviews)
– Address: Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway Southern Highland Craft Guild Asheville, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tours & Tastings

– Rating: 5/5 (1,435 reviews)
– Address: 100 Sierra Nevada Way Mills River, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Bodie Island Lighthouse

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,190 reviews)
– Address: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road Nags Head, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. JOLO Winery & Vineyards

– Rating: 5/5 (930 reviews)
– Address: 219 Jolo Winery Lane Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Pullen Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,299 reviews)
– Address: 520 Ashe Ave. Raleigh, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Mingo Falls

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,238 reviews)
– Address: Big Cove Road Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cherokee, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Currituck Beach Lighthouse

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,271 reviews)
– Address: 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum

– Rating: 5/5 (1,450 reviews)
– Address: 62 Vintage Lane Maggie Valley, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. North Carolina Museum of Art

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,842 reviews)
– Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. NASCAR Hall of Fame

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,493 reviews)
– Address: 400 East Martin Luther King Blvd. Charlotte, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,635 reviews)
– Address: 431 Main St. Chimney Rock, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Grandfather Mountain

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,236 reviews)
– Address: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway Linville, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,633 reviews)
– Address: 46379 Lighthouse Road Buxton, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Sarah P. Duke Gardens

– Rating: 5/5 (2,211 reviews)
– Address: 420 Anderson St. Duke University Durham, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Dry Falls

– Rating: 5/5 (1,639 reviews)
– Address: Us-64 Highlands, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#10. Jockey’s Ridge State Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,334 reviews)
– Address: 300 West Carolista Drive Nags Head, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,338 reviews)
– Address: 11 West Jones St. Raleigh, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. The North Carolina Arboretum

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,812 reviews)
– Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. International Civil Rights Center & Museum

– Rating: 5/5 (1,910 reviews)
– Address: 134 South Elm St. Greensboro, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Billy Graham Library

– Rating: 5/5 (2,502 reviews)
– Address: 4330 Westmont Drive Charlotte, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#5. Wright Brothers National Memorial

– Rating: 4.5/5 (4,446 reviews)
– Address: 1000 North Croatan Hwy Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Battleship North Carolina

– Rating: 4.5/5 (3,616 reviews)
– Address: 1 Battleship Road Wilmington, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Elijah Mountain Gem Mine and Goat Farm

– Rating: 5/5 (2,080 reviews)
– Address: 2120 Brevard Road Hendersonville, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Blue Ridge Parkway

– Rating: 5/5 (6,995 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Biltmore

– Rating: 4.5/5 (27,713 reviews)
– Address: 1 Lodge St. Asheville, North Carolina
– Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Michelle No, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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