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Landmarks in North Carolina

Tours Day Trips & Excursions in North Carolina - Things to do in North Carolina

Discover the best experiences and adventures in North Carolina. Explore our curated selection of top-rated tours, activities, and excursions that showcase the beauty and culture of this destination.

Key Info for Visitors

  • Currency: USD
  • Languages: English, Spanish
  • Climate: Humid subtropical
  • Timezone: America/New_York
  • Population: Approximately 10.7 million
  • Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is spring and fall for pleasant weather.
  • Visa Requirements Visitors to North Carolina must comply with United States visa regulations. Citizens of visa waiver countries such as those in the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan can enter the US for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days under the ESTA program. Other nationals typically require a visa obtained prior to travel. US citizens do not need a visa. Visa on arrival is not available. E-visa options are limited to specific visa categories and not for general tourism.

About North Carolina

North Carolina offers a rich blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern attractions that make it a compelling destination for travelers. From the scenic Appalachian Mountains in the west to the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks on the Atlantic coast, the state provides diverse landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore vibrant cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, which feature museums, historic sites, and lively arts scenes. The state is also known for its charming small towns, rich Civil War history, and southern hospitality. North Carolina’s unique appeal lies in its combination of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and culinary delights. Whether you want to hike mountain trails, relax on pristine beaches, or enjoy craft breweries and barbecue, North Carolina has something for every traveler. Its moderate climate and welcoming communities add to the appeal, making it a year-round destination.

Top Attractions

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Renowned for its mist-covered peaks, diverse wildlife, and extensive hiking trails. 2. Biltmore Estate – America’s largest privately-owned home, a historic mansion with beautiful gardens and winery. 3. Outer Banks – A string of barrier islands with pristine beaches, historic lighthouses, and water sports. 4. Blue Ridge Parkway – A scenic drive offering breathtaking mountain views and access to hiking and waterfalls. 5. North Carolina Museum of Art – Located in Raleigh, it features a vast collection of American and European art.

Popular Activities

Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and camping in the Appalachian region, whale watching and kite surfing along the coast, and exploring historic sites and museums in urban centers. Cultural experiences include attending music festivals, visiting craft breweries, and sampling traditional southern barbecue. Recreational options also include golfing, fishing, and boating.

North Carolina Tours & Experiences

  • Top Attractions: Highlights of USA
  • Duration Range: Half-day or Full-day
  • Group Size: Intimate Groups
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
  • Recommended For: The best time to visit is spring and fall for pleasant weather. Pack layers for mountain and coastal climates. Respect local customs and southern hospitality. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen outdoors. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; carrying some cash is advisable for small purchases. North Carolina is generally safe, but standard travel precautions apply.

Average Tour Price: $95

Lowest Price Tour: $45

Highest Price Tour: $200

422 Available Tour Excursions in North Carolina

Free Cancellation
(140 reviews)

Whether you want to see waterfalls, wildflowers, enjoy a quiet walk on a forested path, or climb a 6,000 foot peak, we will customize these trips based on your desired distance, difficulty, and destination. After booking, our office will contact you to discuss your preferences. Hike will meet our office in downtown Asheville at 8:30am, and will last approximately 4-5 hours including transportation time. Snacks are included, but transportation is not. Transportation between Asheville and the trailhead (including hotel pickup) can be added for an additional fee. Your guide can provide trekking poles upon request at no additional charge. We hike rain or shine! Hikers should arrive prepared for all weather conditions and pack a rain jacket, an extra warm layer, and water. We may cancel or reschedule your hike in the event of severe or dangerous weather conditions. Curious about the other hikes we offer? Check out our website!

Price: $150.00

Duration: 4 hours

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Free Cancellation
(112 reviews)

This Family Friendly tour is operated by Wilmington Bike & Brew Tours here in Wilmington, NC. Be sure to check out our reviews here on Trip Advisor and also on Google. Search for us on Google Maps to find our reviews. Experience historic Wilmington, NC, and its historic & haunted sites by E-Bike while sampling Wilmington Craft Breweries. Sample some of the best craft beer on the coast! Each E-bike tour will include stops at multiple historic and significant sites throughout downtown and beyond! This tour is the perfect balance of history, interesting and haunted stories making it popular with solo travelers, couples, families with kids, and groups alike. Spend the day cruising around town on an electric bike checking out the Wilmington scene, and sample a beverage or two. Whether you’re just visiting or you’re a local looking for an adventure, our E-Bike Tour highlighting the culture and history of Wilmington is a fun and popular activity for people looking for a unique adventure!

Price: $95.00

Duration: 4 hours

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Free Cancellation
(93 reviews)

Our location at Concord Mills is right by countless eating and retail options, perfect for pairing an escape room with a day or night out. Some of our fave places to eat include On The Border and Razzoo's Cajun Cafe. The Escape Game Concord features 5 unique themes including The Depths, one of our newest escape rooms, and Prison Break, our most challenging game. Each family-friendly option includes multiple rooms and can hold up to 8 players, except for Playground, which can hold up to 12 players. These adventures offer a one-of-a-kind premium experience. Follow clues and solve puzzles to complete your mission together. We offer the best escape rooms and the fastest customer support. Come see why our escape rooms win awards.

Price: $40.65

Duration: 1 hours

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Free Cancellation
(32 reviews)

Sightseeing, breweries and live music on LaZoom's original purple bus! With its unique design, the bus doubles as a vibrant venue, complete with a stage for live bands playing throughout the ride. Guests can sip their favorite beer or wine (BYOB) on board, making it a one-of-a-kind experience where the fun never stops, even between brewery visits. It’s a perfect mix of great music, craft beer, and a lively atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. LaZoom has been operating comedy and beer tours in Asheville NC since 2008 - be one of the first to experience it in Charlotte! Ages 21+ ONLY parties of 16 or more - please call for availability.

Price: $45.00

Duration: 3 hours

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Free Cancellation
(30 reviews)

Our tours have been featured in Southern Living Magazine and MSN News! Join our expert guides, all experienced naturalists, as we discover the stunning waterfalls and mountain views that make Asheville famous! On our tours, we share stories from history and even do some plant foraging so you can eat along the trail! We skip the highway and take advantage of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as we venture into the woodlands en route to some of the BEST waterfalls in Asheville! You'll leave with a stick in your hair and unforgettable memories.

Price: $230.00

Duration: 4 hours

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Free Cancellation
(26 reviews)

Explore Asheville’s Music Scene! Yesterday and Today! We will tell you about Asheville’s connections to members of national and regional Music Halls of Fame. You will learn the local venues for national touring acts, as well as, the spots for our area’s amazing local talent! We will discover Asheville’s historic Grove Arcade, Citizen-Times Building (AKA Citizens Vinyl) and the Flatiron Building. Learn about Asheville’s historic connection to the early days of America’s radio and record industries. After an informative walk around our historic city, the tour will finish at Asheville’s famous Moogseum: A first rate museum to Bob Moog and his historic Moog Synthesizers. Discount tickets will be available to continue your tour with the good folks at the Moogseum. A must see for all serious musicians!

Price: $30.00

Duration: 2-3 hours

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(25 reviews)

Forest Bathing is the simple practice of walking slowly through the forest, connecting with the environment with all senses rather than rushing to a destination. Enjoy the magic along the way! I invite you to breathe deep and pause long enough to notice the gentle breeze on your skin, the sounds of the forest, and your busy mind relaxing its pace. Studies show that time in nature offers physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits that linger even after you've left the trail behind. A guided forest therapy walk is a unique avenue to unlocking these benefits. Hope to see you on the trail soon!

Price: $65.00

Duration: 3 hours

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Free Cancellation
(25 reviews)

All photo tours include hands-on coaching and instruction to help you improve your photos both artistically and technically. Most tours include two guides, a husband and wife team who are skilled, award-winning Nature & Fine Art photographers. You get lots of personal attention and guidance, and tours are customized to the types of photography and natural locations that interest you the most.

Price: $150.00

Duration: 4 hours

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Free Cancellation
(25 reviews)

What makes this tour unique is you have the ability to be at the eye level of someone walking, but you will see 4 times more of the city in comparison. Segways are a fun way to move around and see all that Asheville has to offer. We see all the sites in downtown. Including the Basilica, Wall Street, Pack square and more, this tour is not only full of visuals but packed with information on history, entertainment, and culture.

Price: $65.00

Duration: 2 hours

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Free Cancellation
(17 reviews)

The Private Picnic Experience is a great way to unplug, relax, and learn a little about the Queen City. It is the perfect addition to a stay or a wonderful way to explore what's right in your own backyard. We cordially invite you to spend a relaxing afternoon or evening at the park with breathtaking views of Uptown Charlotte while indulging in refreshing beverages. We also provide a variety of couples activities to help you relax and reconnect. This is a private experience. Only guests in your party will participate.

Price: $249.00

Duration: 1 hours

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Free Cancellation
(16 reviews)

There are a number of beautiful places to visit and things to do while you are in Asheville, but your search is over. When you leave this area our goal is to make This experience the one you remember and enjoyed most! Our licensed LOCAL guides will take you to some of the best locations in the Blue Ridge Mountains and show you what makes this area so special. They live to be outside and love these mountains - and love showing what this great region has to offer. They will talk about the history, the mountains, the wildlife, flora, fauna and so much more. They might even tell some of the local secrets - like where to grab a beer or great food too! Hike will be 3-5 miles depending on the group, including a stop in front of a waterfall and maybe a small lake to see if the Bald Eagles are out. If we do not have at least 2-3 guests booked for the hike we may cancel.

Price: $94.00

Duration: 5 hours

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(15 reviews)

Personalized, one-on-one attention within a group setting can be both nourishing and deeply meaningful. We come to you so there's no need to worry about getting out of the house on time! Note that locations more than 10 miles from downtown Asheville will incur an additional travel fee.

Price: $85.00

Duration: 1 hours

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Free Cancellation
(14 reviews)

"There is only One Tree Hill, and it's your home!" - Karen One Tree Hill lives on here in Wilmington, NC. In a collaboration with TRIC & FWB Charity Events, we are now offering E-Bike tours of the most famous One Tree Hill shooting sites around downtown Wilmington and beyond. After we meet, we move on to visit places like Brook Davis's house, Nathan's House, Clothes over Bros, the site of the Leyton Wedding, The Cracker Jack Table...and much more! Enjoy a guided tour through Wilmington on our effortless E-Bikes as we relive so many OTH moments together! This tour lasts about 4 hours and includes lunch and one or two beverage/bathroom stops! I will take pictures for the group throughout the tour, and share all photos through a google photos folder, and we may even have a couple props along with us to enhance the experience!

Price: $95.00

Duration: 4 hours

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Free Cancellation
(13 reviews)

Your brew bus tour is fully customizable and private for up to 7 people. Cruise around Wilmington in a classic 1972 VW bus! This is a one of a kind brew bus tour in Wilmington, NC. The itinerary here is just a suggestion. We will pick you at your place in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, or Kure Beach. Wilmington is home to 20 craft breweries, and counting! What better way to visit them than cruising around in a classic VW Bus? Step 1: After booking, we will contact you to confirm pick up location & start time. Example - your home, hotel, airbnb, or agreed upon location within Wilmington. Step 2 - Pick your stops. Need help? Let us recommend the stops and itinerary based on what you like or where you are staying. Step 3 - We pick you up and take you on your tour! We safely drop you back off at your final destination. Travel back in time in our vintage VW with custom interior and seating for 7. Hop on, and drink local.

Price: $350.00

Duration: 3-4 hours

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Free Cancellation
(13 reviews)

Great for families or large groups of friends that want to start their surfing journey together! A fun, healthy, safe way to let go and get closer to people you love!

Price: $110.00

Duration: 2 hours

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Free Cancellation
(13 reviews)

Creativity abounds in Asheville and our artists love to take to the streets. Join us on a colorful urban art tour of the South Slope of Downtown Asheville with an amazing collection of murals and street art installations. You’ll learn about the creators’ stories and inspirations, local history, and the community businesses of the South Slope that have made Asheville a national tourist destination.

Price: $35.00

Duration: 1 hours

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(11 reviews)

Durham is a special site in the African American experience. The city served as a thriving hub of business and commerce, an economic refuge, and a symbol of progress. Visitors like W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington marveled at the city as a model for the black middle class, and it's no wonder why when you learn what Durham's African American population achieved: from the foundation of the largest black-owned company of the 20th Century to the formation of a brick-making juggernaut that physically built much of the city, and much, much more. Durham also hosts "Parrish Street", the best preserved "black business district" in the country, an attraction that leaves quite the impression. This tour is hosted by a local historian who wants to share his love of Durham's history with you. Travel between these sites and gain a new perspectives on the triumphs and challenges of Durham's history.

Price: $18.00

Duration: 1 hours

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Free Cancellation
(9 reviews)

Welcome to Charlotte, North Carolina, better known as the "Queen City". Come and explore this beautiful city and learn about the Queen of African and mixed heritage from which the city was named. See the sites of a once historic thriving Black neighborhood and come to understand how African Americans were critical in building the city and the wealth tied to it.

Price: $25.00

Duration: 2 hours

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Important Tour Information

  • Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
  • Check tour cancellation and refund policies
  • Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
  • Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit is spring and fall when the weather is mild and outdoor activities are ideal.

Renting a car is highly recommended to access diverse attractions across the state, especially outside major cities.

Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, visiting the Outer Banks beaches, and exploring state parks are popular outdoor activities.

We have tours designed for various age groups and fitness levels. Each tour description includes specific requirements and recommendations.

Local Food & Cuisine

North Carolina is famous for its barbecue, particularly the vinegar-based Eastern style and the tomato-based Lexington style. Other local specialties include fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and sweet potato dishes. The state has a growing craft beer scene and farm-to-table restaurants. Noteworthy dining spots include Lexington Barbecue in Lexington and The Pit in Raleigh.

Getting Around

Major airports serving North Carolina include Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Within cities, public transit options include buses and light rail in Charlotte. Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore the state, especially for visiting rural and mountainous areas. Taxi services and rideshares like Uber and Lyft are widely available in urban areas. Costs vary but public transit is generally affordable.

Travel Tips

The best time to visit is spring and fall for pleasant weather. Pack layers for mountain and coastal climates. Respect local customs and southern hospitality. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen outdoors. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; carrying some cash is advisable for small purchases. North Carolina is generally safe, but standard travel precautions apply.

Culture & Customs

North Carolina culture blends southern traditions with modern influences. Politeness and friendliness are valued social norms. Important festivals include the North Carolina State Fair and the MerleFest music festival. Visitors should be respectful of local customs, such as greeting with a smile and using polite language. Tipping in restaurants is customary at around 15-20%.

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