North Carolina is known for its alluring parks, beautiful natural landscapes, creativity, and art. It is bordered by Virginia, Tennessee, the Atlantic Ocean, South Carolina, and Georgia. The landmarks in North Carolina offer an immersive and memorable experience.
A trip to North Carolina would be incomplete without visiting its famous sites. Here are some of the famous North Carolina landmarks and monuments that offer a window into the state’s beauty and history.
Most Famous Landmark In North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most famous landmark in North Carolina. It is between the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, near Asheville, and is the most visited park in the U.S., with millions of visitors annually.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is surrounded by picturesque natural landscapes encompassing waterfalls, streams, rivers, an abundance of forests, and beautiful wildflowers that bloom all year round.
It is home to bears, deer, and other diverse wildlife species. The park also offers hiking routes, bicycle trails, and fishing opportunities. To catch the full view of the Great smoky mountains, you can visit the observation tower at the highest point of the mountain. It offers breathtaking views of the forest.
Within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are historic structures that include the Cataloochee valley and the Mingus Mill and Mountain Farm Museum, and the Fontana Dam.
You will enjoy exploring one of the iconic North Carolina landmarks.
Famous Charlotte, North Carolina Landmarks
Carowinds
Carowinds is an amusement park between North Carolina and South Carolina state lines. It is a delightful park with beautiful scenery and thrilling rides.
Carowinds features over 12 rollercoasters, a gift shop, a water park, and restaurants. The park has plenty of shade, lots of seating, and a variety of art exhibits that makes for an enjoyable experience.
The park offers a 12-acre children’s area with interactive rides and play areas. It is a great place for family fun. There isn’t a doubt you’ll have an enjoyable time at one of the thrilling landmarks in North Carolina.
After all, its one of the destinations Charlotte is known for, that attracts not just tourists but locals as well.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
NASCAR Hall of Fame is a museum and entertainment attraction that honors the history and heritage of NASCAR driving.
The NASCAR hall of fame features a gift shop, a café, the Buffalo wild wings restaurant, and the High octane theater. At this iconic destination, you can enjoy interactive exhibits, artifacts, special events, and simulator rides and learn about the sport and its history.
It is one of the most famous NC landmarks that visitors go to in Charlotte. The details and experience at NASCAR Hall of Fame make it a worthwhile visit.
You can take a private tour of the place and find out more about the items on display. This destination is perfect for a NASCAR or automotive fan because the museum exhibits are geared towards people familiar with NASCAR and give insight you won’t see on TV.
U.S. National White Water Center
White Water Center is an exciting destination for adventure lovers among the famous North Carolina landmarks.
It is a 1,300-acre outdoor center that offers over 30 outdoor recreational activities, including climbing, high jumps, hiking, rope courses, cycling, boat paddling, zip-lining, and several others.
This destination is ideal for outdoor fun and adventure; it is a must-stop destination when visiting NC landmarks. You can enjoy some refreshments with the unique atmosphere which makes for a fantastic time.
The U.S. national white water center also hosts events, live music, and programs. There are plenty of activities you can engage in at this spectacular landmark.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is one of the most beautiful parks in North Carolina. The park is scenic, with enormous playgrounds for kids and trails for relaxing, pleasant walks.
Freedom park features creeks and canals, ample seating areas and drinking stations, a rope bridge, sports facilities, and so on. It is dog-friendly; you can take your pet for a walk.
The park also hosts several annual events featuring festivals, art exhibitions, and live music. Here, you can watch and feed the ducks in the lake and engage in outdoor exercise and sports. Freedom Park is one of the most serene parks among NC’s famous landmarks.
READ MORE: 20 BEST NORTH CAROLINA BEACHES TO VISIT
Famous Greensboro, North Carolina Landmarks
Greensboro Coliseum
The Greensboro coliseum complex is an entertainment and sports complex. It is the largest indoor arena in the United States.
The Greensboro multipurpose facility hosts various events, including basketball tournaments, hockey games, family fun events, music concerts, and opera performances. The complex offers the ideal environment to watch and enjoy these events, with proper lighting, state-of-the-art sound equipment, and partitioning curtains for seating configurations.
Visitors aren’t allowed to bring large bags, food, and drinks into the complex, but they offer great food and beverages on purchase at the venue. You’ll enjoy every moment at one of the spectacular landmarks in North Carolina.
Friendly Center
Friendly Center is an open-air mall with a fantastic selection of shops and restaurants. It offers the best shopping and dining experience at reasonable prices.
Friendly Center makes for a memorable experience. The shopping center has a movie theater, all your favorite minor and major departmental stores, and other unique stores.
Friendly Center hosts terrific events and scheduled entertainment during the holidays. This shopping mall has so much to offer, making it a regular go-to for even locals among the famous landmarks in North Carolina.
Breakout Games
If you love indoor activities and mysteries, then Breakout Games – Greensboro is a perfect destination. It offers an excellent and thrilling escape room experience.
There are about five escape rooms adventure with unique storylines, The Kidnapping, Museum Heist, Island Escape, Operation Casino, and Hostage. Even if you’ve never had an escape room experience, you’ll enjoy every moment here.
The rooms are filled with puzzles and clues that can help you escape in time. Bring your friends and family to enjoy thrilling adventures at one of the famous landmarks in North Carolina. There are also branches in Asheville and Charlotte.
Greensboro Science Center
The Greensboro science center comprises a zoo, museum, science center, aquarium, treetop adventure park, and an immersive 3D theater.
The animal discovery Zoological park is home to animals, including Sumatran tigers, okapis, maned wolves, meerkats, black howler monkeys, and many others. Attractions at the zoo include the revolutionary ridge, the friendly farm, and lots more.
The Wiseman Aquarium features fascinating animals like stingrays, penguins, sharks, and other fish species.
The Greensboro science center offers an immersive educational experience. Amenities include wagon rentals, free Wi-Fi, free parking, group friendly café, and a gift shop, and it is family-friendly.
Famous Raleigh Landmarks, North Carolina
Pullen Park
Pullen park is prominent among the green landmarks of North Carolina. It is the 5th oldest U.S. park and is excellent for family fun.
The park has multiple kids’ playgrounds, an indoor carousel, great photo spots, a café, and a theater. The park also features statues of Andy and Opie from The Andy Griffith show.
Pullen park offers picnic shelters, amusement rides, and shaded pathways. It is a popular spot for locals to have a pleasant picnic, take strolls, bird watching, or relax and enjoy the scenic view of the park.
North Carolina Museum of Art
North Carolina Museum of Art is unique, stunning, and a must-see when visiting North Carolina’s famous landmarks.
The museum comprises two buildings, the west, and the east, which hold permanent collections and rotating exhibits, respectively. The permanent exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of art can be dated 5,000 years ago. It includes masterpieces by Picasso and Rembrandt and an extensive collection of Judaic ceremonial objects.
The museum offers special exhibitions, an amphitheater for outdoor performances, film exhibits, art sessions, and lectures. It features a museum park, the largest museum park in the U.S., featuring several monumental artworks.
PNC Arena
PNC Arena is an indoor sports arena, home to NC State Men’s Basketball and the North Carolina hurricanes. The arena seats 19,700 for basketball and 18,680 for ice hockey.
The PNC arena hosts various events, including concerts and family shows. It has excellent sound systems, seating arrangements, food options, and excellent staff service.
Enjoy convenient amenities, a delightful experience, and incredible hospitality at one of the exciting NC landmarks.
Frankie’s of Raleigh
Frankie’s Fun Park is an amusement center that offers many fun activities, including Go-Karts, amusement rides, miniature golf, bumper boats, an arcade, and many more. There is plenty to do at Frankie’s fun park.
There is no admission fee to enter the park. You pay as you play. The park is open every day of the week and you will also find some delicious North Carolina food and refreshing drinks on sale. Frankie’s Fun Park makes for a stimulating experience. You could easily spend a day at this spectacular North Carolina landmark.
Natural Landmarks In North Carolina
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are one of the most impressive natural landmarks in North Carolina. It is a segment of the Appalachian Mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains are famous for their bluish color, extending over Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland.
The Blue Ridge Mountains feature lakes, creeks, streams, hiking and biking trails, ponds, and the renowned Shenandoah skyline drive. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, including wildlife viewing, hiking, horse riding, fishing, taking drives along blue ridge park, and many more.
The scenery at the Blue Ridge Mountains is unmatched, and the destination makes for a memorable experience. Explore one of North Carolina’s finest mountain ranges and experience Blue Ridge’s allure.
Mount Mitchell
Mount Mitchell is located along Blue Ridge mountain. It is the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains, with an elevation of 6,684 feet.
You will find Mount Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park in Burnsville. This spectacular destination has many outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, picnicking, camping, and more.
Mount Mitchell features an observation deck, camping sites, an education center, a gift shop, a restaurant, the Mount Mitchell museum, and waterfalls near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views at the top of the mountain are breathtaking, and you can see the Blue Ridge from Mount Mitchell.
LANDMARKS IN USA |
Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest is in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. It is renowned for its hardwood forests, beautiful scenery, cascading waterfalls, hiking, streams, and whitewater rivers.
Pisgah National Forest encompasses over 500,000 acres of natural forest. It offers an exciting range of outdoor activities, including camping, horse riding, water activities, nature viewing, picnicking, bicycling, and more.
Pisgah National Forest is also home to the first forestry school in the United States. The park has stunning natural scenery, and the looking-glass falls are the most photographed waterfalls in the south because of their crystal clear waters.
With all the alluring views, it is no surprise that this is one of the popular North Carolina landmarks for nature lovers.
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is notable among famous landmarks in North Carolina. It features dramatic mountain scenery, 404-foot cascading waterfalls, ancient geologic formations, and a 315-foot freestanding rock spire.
There are no camping facilities at chimney rock, but the state park offers other outdoor recreation, such as hiking, water activities, and picnicking.
Chimney Rock State Park has breathtaking views of the natural landscape and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It comprises an amphitheater, a pavilion, restaurants, a gift shop, and exhibits.
Other Landmarks In North Carolina
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Also known as America’s Home for Racing, Charlotte motor speedway is the destination to watch motorsports entertainment, including the renowned Coca-Cola 600, Bank of America 500, and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a must-see for auto enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. It offers an immersive and exciting race track experience. At this destination, you can drive or ride across the speedway and learn about the history of each track.
The dirt track at Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts international World of Outlaw events, NASCAR and NHRA. This destination isn’t suitable for babies and toddlers.
Charlotte offers lots of food options and fantastic seating arrangements. Experience a thrilling adventure at one of the most exciting landmarks of North Carolina.
North Carolina Zoo
North Carolina Zoo is home to more than 1,800 animals representing over 250 species from North America and Africa. The NC zoo is the largest natural zoo in the world. It sits on 2,600 wooded acres.
The exhibits at the NC zoo are significant and mimic the animals’ natural habitats. You will also find places to eat, well-guided trails, scooters, strolls available to rent, shaded pathways, and an interactive experience.
The flora life at the zoo is stunning and well-landscaped. The North Carolina zoo features outdoor playgrounds for children, a gift shop, and several educational programs.
Spend quality time at one of the most impressive zoos in the world. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes when visiting this destination.
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
North Carolina aquarium at pine knoll shores offers you an immersive tour of North Carolina’s aquatic life.
It is a beautiful place for family fun among North Carolina landmarks. Animal exhibits at the aquarium include birds, stingrays, jellyfish, sharks, snakes, turtles, otters, and more.
The North Carolina Aquarium also has an outdoor area with a kid’s playground and nature trails where you can take scenic hikes and spot wild birds in their natural habitat. The staff at the aquarium are very knowledgeable and interactive.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores allows you to experience ocean life hands-on.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Wright Brothers National Memorial is an important historical site and monument in North Carolina. It is the place where the Wrights brothers experimented with flight and succeeded.
A visit to this fascinating destination allows you to see where the first aircraft took off, reproductions of the brothers’ camp buildings, and a replica of the Wright brothers’ plane.
You can also climb the Big Kill Devil Hill to see the monument honoring the historic achievements of the Wright brothers. This fantastic monument offers guided lectures, outdoor exhibits, and an excellent museum.
Learn about the difficulty of the Wright brother’s achievement at one of the most iconic NC monuments.
Discovering the Landmarks of North Carolina
The impressive landmarks and monuments of North Carolina attract thousands of visitors annually. From notable state parks to entertainment venues and iconic natural landmarks, North Carolina is a popular destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers.
There are so many notable landmarks in North Carolina to discover and explore. Visit North Carolina to behold its stunning natural scenery, and experience thrilling entertainment.
