Designed as a drive awhile - stop awhile recreational drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway provides both stunning scenery and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the southern Appalachian mountains.
Stretched over 70 miles of barrier islands, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources, and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
The seashore is a 56 mile long section of the Outer Banks of North Carolina running from Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast to Beaufort Inlet on the southeast.
Carl Sandburg, nationally renowned poet, biographer, lecturer, newspaper columnist, folksinger, author of American fairytales, and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, provided broad and enduring 20th century insight into the circumstances, worth and spirit of
The first English attempts at colonization in the New World (1585-1587) are commemorated here. These efforts, sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh, ended with the disappearance of 116 men, women and children (including two that were born in the New World).
The battle fought here on March 15, 1781, was the largest, most hotly-contested action of the Revolutionary War's climactic Southern Campaign.
1776 PATRIOT VICTORY "King George and Broadswords!" shouted loyalists as they charged across partially dismantled Moores Creek bridge on February 27, 1776.
The first successful sustained powered flights in a heavier-than-air machine were made here by Wilbur and Orville Wright on December 17, 1903.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 "as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife", including the greater snow goose and other migratory waterfowl.
Located in eastern North Carolina in Hyde County, the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge consists of more than 50, 000 acres of water, marsh, timber and crop lands.
Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge Situated along the Pee Dee River, Pee Dee NWR contains 8, 443 acres in Anson and Richmond Counties, NC. The refuge was established to provide wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl.
Roanoke River NWR was established in 1989 to protect and enhance wooded wetlands consisting of bottomland hardwoods and swamps with high waterfowl value along the Roanoke River.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge was established on March 14, 1984. It contains 152, 195 acres which lie on the mainland portions of Dare and Hyde Counties, North Carolina.
This 13, 900-acre lake is located within a 45-minute drive from Raleigh and Durham. Boat launching, picnicking, swimming beaches, campgrounds, fishing, and public marina facilities are available for public use.
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir is located in the heart of the beautiful Yadkin River Valley, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Moravian and Cascade Falls are in the immediate vicinity and the Blue Ridge Parkway is 28 mi away.
North Carolina's estuarine system is the third largest in the country, encompassing more the two million acres.