North Carolina is a vacationer's paradise, with some of the best coastal beaches on the Atlantic seaboard to the east and the world's oldest mountain range cutting through the heartland. With such diverse landscape, North Carolina travel can include trips to the Appalachian Mountains for a ski trip; a weekend spent lounging on the beach, or an upscale golfing resort vacation in the Sandhills. Appealing North Carolina vacation spots are truly spread throughout the state, and millions of visitors come to the area for North Carolina vacations each year.

The three major cities in North Carolina are usually considered to be Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro, but some of the smaller towns such as Winston Salem, Durham and Fayetteville offer some of the best opportunities for historical sightseeing. North Carolina travel through the larger cities, however, will reveal some great sites as well. As the state's capital, Raleigh is where travelers will find the state capital building as well as the North Carolina Museum of Art. Charlotte is home to the Mint Museum of Art and Discovery Place, two unique museums that can easily fill a day of exploration.

The smaller tourist town of Winston Salem is a true delight, with many of the best traditions of the Old South and the Old World combined in one charming village. This town is one of the best places to go for traditional festivals and cozy hotels, including a number of great Bed and Breakfast inns. Many travelers take North Carolina vacations simply to this town to see some of the surrounding colonial villages and the nicely restored architecture.

The Appalachian Mountains are of course another major attraction and one of the busiest North Carolina vacation spots during the summer. A driving tour along the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best ways to spend your North Carolina vacations; along the way you will find camping spots (try Great Smoky Mountain National Park) as well as hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and excellent views of the valley below. Skiing is another popular way to enjoy this mountain range, particularly by heading to Appalachian Mountain Resort for some North Carolina travel while strapped to your skis.