6 of our Best of the USA are in North Carolina

Let me first set the record straight. We haven’t been everywhere in the US and this list is very subjective.

But it is based upon our extensive travels in the USA, not just in the past 6 years, but for many years before that.

We also think, since we’ve been traveling for a large part of the last 25 years, and professionally for the last fourteen, we have a well-trained eye for what is good.

A lot of the time what you feel is great is also based upon what was happening for you at the time and who you were with (a memory association) or an energy resonation. For some reason, my energy loves North Carolina.

Is it just me, or do you feel it too? Tell us in the comments. And let us know what your US favorites are? Are many of them in North Carolina?

The following places or experiences in North Carolina make our BEST of the USA list.

Best Sunrise: Outer Banks Beaches

I’ve seen hundreds of sunrises in the world. Seeing the sunrise over Mt Bromo in Indonesia after a three-hour night hike was the Ultimate. Watching the sun rise up behind the Mittens in Monument Valley was mystical.

But there was a certain kind of special about a sunrise in the Outer Banks that I can’t quite explain.

Not only are the colors extraordinarily rich – whether its fiery orange or pastel pink – but the ocean had a special calmness to it, made more magical by the dolphins slowly and gently swimming by.

It’s a memory that won’t leave and comes to my lips when someone asks me about the best sunrises I’ve seen in the USA.

Best Beach: Wrightsville Beach – The Total Package

You’ve heard us say it a million times on the podcast and in our content:  Wrightsville is our favorite beach in the USA.

It was the first beach I ever visited in America.

It felt so familiar from years of watching TV shows and movies filmed in Wilmywood. I’ve just finished watching the Summer I turned Pretty with Kalyra, which further emphasized just how much I love the natural beauty of Wrightsville Beach.

It also felt so familiar because it’s the beach town that feels more like an Australian beach culture – super laid back, unpretentious, with a surfie vibe. I almost feel comfortable enough to walk around barefoot – a very Australian way of living.

The beach is the focal point of your lifestyle: catching waves, riding around on bikes, hanging out with friends on the beach, and enjoying a vast number of outdoor activities.

At Wrightsville, you get the best of everything: ocean (warm in the summer), the tranquil sound and saltmarshes, sunrise, and sunset.

Best Lake: Lake Lure, NC

There are some places that when you first lay eyes upon it you feel like you’ve lived a lifetime here before. Lake Lure had that ancient magnetic pull for me. It’s as if as soon as I arrive, life whispers, “It’s okay. You can breathe now. No one can find you here or interrupt your soul’s longing for peace.”

Tucked away in the foothills of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Lure’s emerald-green waters, framed by lush forests and rolling hills, create a postcard-worthy scene.

The lake’s connection to cultural history, notably as a filming location for the classic movie “Dirty Dancing,” and “the Last of the Mohican” adds an additional layer of charm and nostalgia.

Whether it’s the peaceful ambiance, the scenic backdrop, or the variety of activities available, Lake Lure holds a magnetic allure that leaves a lasting impression on those who have the pleasure of experiencing its enchanting beauty.

Most Livable Place: Raleigh

Well of course we’re going to say that! After living in 5 countries and traveling to over 50, we chose Raleigh as our permanent home. That says a lot about livable Raleigh.

We’re not the only ones that think so. Raleigh consistently makes all the best of lists associated with living here. Plus, I know it’s not Utopia, but a vast majority of the people we talk to who live here (and its’ a lot) rave about it.

We’ve got the best of all worlds: big city amenities with small town feel, fun festivals and events, huge sporting culture, four seasons, fantastic location, and surrounded by forests and lakes.

We haven’t found another place in the USA yet that we’d want to live permanently in, and we’ve been to 35 states. Not only that, but it also took us 17 years and a 500-page application to earn the right to live here via a green card. We wanted it that badly!

Yep. Raleigh is cool.

Best Mountains: Great Smoky Mountains

As much as I love the jagged peaks of the west, I often find those mountain ranges too intimidating with their exposed and unreachable faces.

In contrast, the Great Smoky Mountains wrap me up in a lush forestry cocoon. I feel protected, nourished and at ease. Its ancient energy seems to bring me a level of peace and tranquility I don’t find in other mountain landscapes.

It’s easy to forget an outside world exists when you hit the adventure trails through its dense forest filled with waterfalls, lush flora, verdant valleys, and mesmerizing views of its mist covered peaks.

Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the USA AND is the most biodiverse park in the USA National Park system?

Over 19,000 species have been documented in the park and scientists believe an additional 80,000-100,000 species may live here, including 150 species of trees and about 31 species of salamander (more than anywhere else in the world!)

Plus, we’ve seen more black bears here than anywhere else in the US. It’s definitely in our top 5 national parks in the USA.

Whether captivated by the vibrant fall foliage, entranced by the misty mountain mornings, or enchanted by the park’s cultural tapestry, it’s no wonder the Great Smoky Mountains National Park stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty and ecological richness of America’s natural heritage.

Most True to Themselves: Asheville

Ashville reminds me of Portland, Oregon. It’s not afraid to show up as it is. It’s a vibrant and fun mountain town with a focus on connection with Mother Nature and supporting and celebrating local. It has a funky arts scene, great flourishing craft brew and food scene, cool bars, and access to incredible outdoor adventure.

Being in Downtown Asheville felt like I had stepped into the world. Sometimes I felt like I was in Newtown (a suburb of Sydney, Australia), at other times in San Francisco, then in a moment I was transported to London, Dublin, and Thailand.

How can you not love a city that reflects the cultural diversity of our planet and brings to the surface some of your best travel memories?

It’s now one of my favorite outdoor adventure towns in the USA and, at only four hours’ drive from Raleigh, I can’t wait to keep returning.

Our daughters took to it straight away as well, which is a great sign, especially when you have a teen in the family!

NC Bucket List

45 Unique things to do in NC + 4 destinations not to miss + insider travel tips. 

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In Summary

Remember, this is all just a personal perspective. As lifelong travelers, and professional travel bloggers (now for 14 years) we have decades of experience exploring a destination and getting to know its personality.

While comparison may be the thief of all joy in some instances, in ours, it has sharpened our eyes and spirit to see outstanding and unique places in the world.

These experiences places in North Carolina have a special kind of something about them! So much that we keep returning again and again.

But, what about you? What are some of your favorite places in North Carolina? How do they compare with other places you’ve visited in the USA or further?

NC Bucket List

45 Unique things to do in NC + 4 destinations not to miss + insider travel tips. 

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