Top 5 Outdoors Sites You Must Visit In North Carolina

If you live in or near North Carolina, or plan a trip to the state, there are an amount of options of where you can spend a nice outdoors day. Whether you like looking out as far as the eye can see or riding the waves of the Atlantic, North Carolina has so much to offer and more. Here are the top 10 outdoors sites you must visit while in North Carolina:

1. Hike Mount Mitchell

Hike Mount Mitchell. If you are up for an adventure that will get your heart rate running, take on the task of hiking the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi. At 6,684 feet (more than a mile high) those who take up Mitchell’s challenge will be rewarded with views you can’t get anywhere outside the Rockies.

2. Go on a Wild Horse Adventure

Go on a Wild Horse Adventure Tour in the outpost shores of the Outer Banks. Here you will witness the largest herd of Banker ponies found in the world. Take a 4 wheel excursion to witness these majestic animals in nature.  How they got there, no one knows for sure; many believe they swam ashore after a shipwreck in the 19th century.

3. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and experience over 200 miles of pristine views through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the comfort of your car. This track of land spreads from the Virginia border into Tennessee and is 2 lanes the whole way. There are lookout points to stop throughout the trip and commercial vehicles are not allowed. If you like a scenic drive, you’ll love the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go during the fall and see the beautiful colors of the falling leaves. If you’re feeling really adventurous and want to take on the hills, bring your bike. It adds a whole new experience.

4. Hang Glide Kitty Hawk

Imagine you’re Orville or Wilbur Wright taking their first flight at historic Kitty Hawk, just off the coast near Outer Banks. Be sure to reserve ahead of time to schedule a quick lesson, and you’ll be in the air before you know it. Kitty Hawk Kites will put you on a ride you’ll never forget.

5. Hike the AT

Hike the Appalachian Trail or the AT as the locals call it. Travels through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. The 88 miles of North Carolina section of the trail contains the highest peaks and travels through the Great Smokey Mountains. But don’t worry, if you don’t have the time or endurance to hike all 88 miles, there is a list of shorter hikes you can do for a day trip.