The biggest celebrities who vacation in North Carolina

From actors and rock stars to presidents and British royalty, discover the biggest celebrities who have visited North Carolina on vacation. 

With its stunning landscapes, ranging from beautiful beaches to magnificent mountains, historic landmarks, diverse dining scenes, and charming small towns, North Carolina has something to offer all types of travelers—including celebrities. The Tar Heel State has welcomed a wide range of vacationing stars throughout the years, from an Oscar-winning actress to a country music star to one of the world’s richest men.

Keep reading to learn about the biggest public figures who have vacationed in North Carolina and where in the state they chose to spend their time off.

Asheville

With its vibrant arts scene, plethora of exceptional restaurants and breweries, and countless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, it’s no surprise that Asheville is one of North Carolina’s top celebrity vacation spots.

Miranda Lambert

Country music star Miranda Lambert visited Asheville for the first time in 2021. During her trip, Lambert and her husband visited Biltmore Estate, which Lambert described as “absolutely stunning” in a Facebook post. Lambert also stopped by Moose Cafe, where she enjoyed “warm biscuits the size of my whole face,” as well as Cúrate Bar de Tapas and Red Stag Grill.

Jude Law

Jude Law also made the rounds to several local businesses when he visited Asheville. The Oscar-nominated actor visited French comfort food restaurant Bouchon, which closed and reopened as a crêperie earlier this year, and also stopped by French Broad Chocolate Lounge, a shop that sells artisanal chocolates and other sweet treats, and Pack Memorial Library.

King Charles III

Before Biltmore Estate hosted music royalty, the historic home, now a major tourist attraction, hosted British royalty. King Charles III visited Biltmore Estate back in 1996 when he was still Prince Charles. During his visit, Prince Charles spoke with students enrolled in his Institute of Architecture’s summer school before touring the house and its gardens.

Other world leaders who have visited Biltmore Estate include President William McKinley Jr., President Theodore Roosevelt, President Jimmy Carter, President Ronald Reagan (a presidential candidate at the time of his visit), and President and Mrs. Barack Obama.

Barack Obama

Speaking of Obama, he has visited Asheville multiple times—once in 2008 when preparing for a presidential debate against John McCain and again in 2010. While Obama’s first visit was strictly business, the second trip was more leisurely. During both trips, Obama stayed at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa and dined at 12 Bones Smokehouse.

Sandra Bullock

On Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast Inn’s website, a description of the property’s Dogwood Room proudly boasts that Sandra Bullock stayed in the room while she was in Asheville shooting the movie “28 Days.” While in town, Bullock was also spotted at Dirty Jack’s, an iconic taproom also visited by celebrities such as Woody Harrelson and Willem Dafoe.

Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach, known for its beautiful blue waters and pristine white sand beaches, has plenty to offer A-listers looking for a coastal getaway in North Carolina.

Will Ferrell

Comedian Will Ferrell was spotted sharing a meal with his father at South Beach Grill, a waterfront restaurant in Wrightsville Beach that serves seafood and Southern eats. But that wasn’t the star’s first time in the Tar Heel State—he’s been visiting since he was about eight months old (both of his parents are Roanoke Rapids natives).

Ferrell also made headlines in 2016 when he showed up to ​​a North Carolina State University football game tailgate in a “nasty woman” shirt in support of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Figure Eight Island

Just north of Wrightsville Beach lies Figure Eight Island, an ultra-exclusive island that’s become a haven for celebrities. The 1,300-acre private island is a popular summer-house location for the rich and famous. Stars including Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, and Vanna White reportedly own homes on the island, as well as politicians Al Gore and John Edwards, among other notable figures.

Outer Banks

The Outer Banks is a popular vacation destination for both everyday North Carolinians and celebrities. The Outer Banks, a collection of barrier islands, offers plenty of attractions for all types of travelers and more than 100 miles of beautiful shoreline, making it an ideal spot for celebrities to escape to.

Dave Grohl

In a 2019 interview with Bon Appétit, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl shared that back when he was a member of Nirvana, after the band’s second studio album, Nevermind, was released, he found himself with much more money than he was used to and decided to buy a beach house in Nags Head. Grohl said he spent an entire summer there eating pulled pork, which he called “sublime and complex.”

Bill Gates

Bill Gates put North Carolina in the spotlight in 2021 when information from a 1997 Time magazine profile resurfaced. In the interview, Gates shared that once a year for more than a decade, he spent a long weekend with his ex-girlfriend (with permission from then-wife Melinda Gates) at her 1,440-square-foot oceanfront home in Corolla. The pair’s former getaway is now a rental property with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple decks, and a gazebo.

Other Celebrities

A wide range of other notable figures have been spotted in the Outer Banks throughout the years, including actor Tom Cruise, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin, astronaut Michael Collins, and NASCAR drivers Sterling Marlin, Ward Burton, and Jeff Burton.

Charlotte

As North Carolina’s largest city, Charlotte is home to plenty of sights and attractions to keep vacationers busy. The city’s vibrant cultural scene means there are a variety of museums to explore, but there are also many parks and green spaces if you prefer a more outdoorsy vacation. You’ll also find a plethora of breweries, cocktail bars, and exceptional dining options in the Queen City.

Mick Jagger

The Thirsty Beaver Saloon in Charlotte doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the low-key watering hole attracts its fair share of celebrities—including legendary Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. To be fair, Mick Jagger was in town to perform with the Rolling Stones at Bank of America Stadium—so technically this was a work trip—but he did manage to find time to unwind at a local bar while in Charlotte.

Country music singer Kacey Musgraves and NASCAR driver and North Carolina native Dale Earnhardt Jr. have also been spotted at Thirsty Beaver Saloon.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: 10 celebrities who own, or have owned, houses in North Carolina