Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

by PAM VOIGT

North Carolina ranks as the nation’s 28th largest state, while remaining the 10th largest in terms of population. The reason for such a large population is the vast amount of terrain and climates North Carolina has to offer. The state features the Atlantic Ocean as an eastern border, and the Appalachian and Smokey Mountain ranges along its western border. The Outer Banks also make their home in the state of North Carolina as the largest string of islands detached from the mainland in the United States. North Carolina is also home to a number of large cities that play host to professional and college sports teams. With all of these areas to explore it’s no wonder why North Carolina travel is so popular. North Carolina’s Atlantic coast covers around 45% of the state’s climate and geographic breakdown. Deep Sea fishing charters, scuba and snorkeling and assorted powerboat activities are just a few of the options families and couples have when they visit North Carolina’s Atlantic coast. Due to the formation of the Outer Banks along the coastline, the beaches along the mainland are located on the sound which means less intense waves and a shallower depth, perfect for families with little ones.

The Appalachian and Smokey Mountain ranges run along the western border of the state. The mountain ranges feature a number of activities for those interested in another side of North Carolina travel. Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain in the state at a towering 6,684 feet. Not only does this make it the tallest mountain in the state of North Carolina, but it is also the tallest mountain on the east coast of the United States. The mountain ranges in North Carolina offer year-round fun for the entire family, everything from camping and hiking in the summer to downhill skiing and snowboarding in the winter. The Appalachian Mountain range can deliver fun during your travels through North Carolina.

The Outer Banks, located along the eastern Atlantic coast, are a string of islands that stretch along the entire coastline of the state. The fragile islands are made up of only sand that was built up over the years creating separate islands that are detached from the mainland and only connected to the rest of the state by State Highway 12. The Outer Banks themselves feature 130 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. The islands are comprised of mainly hotels and beachfront rental property. With a number of islands and beaches, North Carolina travel has never been easier.

Charlotte and Raleigh are the two biggest cities in North Carolina. Both of the cities feature a vibrant night life and a number of professional sports teams where you can catch a game while exploring the city. Charlotte is home to the NBA’s Bobcats and the NFL’s Panthers. Raleigh, on the other hand, is home to NHL’s Hurricanes. Along with professional sports teams, the state of North Carolina is home to one of the fiercest rivalries in all of college basketball. The University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of Duke Blue Devils have been playing each other for almost 100 years. Their games consistently rank among the most popular games of the regular season because of their deciding factor on a number of ACC championships.

With so much to do and see in the Tar Heel State, it is no wonder why North Carolina travel is so popular among families and couples from all over the United States.

by MUNA WA WANJIRU

When you want an activity that allows people to enjoy themselves while at the same time not have to worry about what to wear then a visit to a park is in order. You will find that there is a big difference between parks which have playgrounds and parks which are designated wilderness areas. North Carolina is a state where you can find lots of different state parks to capture your interest. The many different North Carolina state parks will provide you with an endless source of enjoyment.

To reap this enjoyment you should first look at what can be found in each specific park. To help you in seeing what the park facilities are like there are park brochures which you can get from the state park department. You can also see if the internet has any information about North Carolina state parks.

Now having looked at the information for each of the North Carolina state parks you will need to plan your holiday. There are some parks where you will be able to indulge your tastes for hunting and fishing. These state parks will however require that you get a hunting and fishing license. You can apply for the appropriate license from the game department of North Carolina.

In some of the state parks you will find lots of activities like hiking, camping, boating and exploring the many nature trails. You will find that the wildlife in these North Carolina state parks are all easily viewable when you look at them along the nature trails. Sometimes you can find great places to stay in at these state parks.

While there are definitely camping grounds where you can stay, you will also find different lodgings that will accommodate you for any length of time. In the search of lodgings you will find that there are lots of interesting places where you can stay. A few of these lodgings will be located near sites of interest. However these lodgings have been constructed so that they don’t detract from the beauty of nature.

You can find information that you need about North Carolina state parks on the internet. You will however need to take some time as there are lots of different parks where you can go. In these state parks you will be able to enjoy life as it rolls by. The added bonus of many enjoyable activities and breathtaking scenery makes visiting North Carolina state parks a must on your list of holiday places to go.

Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on National Parks for Years. For More Information on North Carolina state parks, Visit His Site at North Carolina state parks