Sports/Recreational Activities

·        Hiking: The Appalachian Trail is the epitome of hiking! Still, there are many other trails to choose from in North Carolina: 

·        Spectator Sports:

UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest sports are worth the watch, for sure!

·        Water Sports:

Along North Carolina’s eastern shore you can partake in almost any water sport you desire, like parasailing, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, boating, windsurfing and swimming. The best places to look are Wilmington, Cape Fear, Southport, Carolina Beach, and the Outer Banks.

·        Snow Skiing:

Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach: Fishing and boat ramps; campsites; visitors center; rare plants

Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach: This is a restored historic fort which played a major role in the Civil War.

Gorges State Park, Sapphire: Enjoy plunging water falls, river gorges and rock walls make this state park great.

Jones Lake State Park, Elizabethtown: Small park with boating capability and camping.

Eno River State Park, Durham: This is a scenic area with river, homestead, mill sites, and 21 miles of trails.

Lake Norman State Park, Troutman: This park houses the state’s largest man-made lake—33 acres! Many water recreations available.

Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury: Surrounds a huge rock, up to 2,500 feet, five waterfalls, and a lake and access to a river.

Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville:  With the highest point east of the Mississippi River, with views up to 100 miles, this was North Carolina’s first state park.

Singletary Lake State Park, Kelly: This lake lies within the 35,975 acre Bladen Lakes State Forest. It is designed primarily for group camping.

South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs: Rock outcroppings, waterfalls, and forty miles of hiking trails!

Unto These Hills, plays in Cherokee on an Indian      Reservation

Smokey Mountain Railway, Asheville

Hickory offers great furniture shopping

Biltmore Village Shopping

The Arboretum in Charlotte

The Market Place in Fayetteville

Old Greensboro Historic District great for antiques

Brightleaf Square, Durham

Cotton Exchange in Wilmington for specialty shops