Related North Carolina Favorites Tips

Fondest memory: If you love the sea and the coast as much as we do, but dislike over-commercialisation and high-rise hotels, this string of sandy barrier islands, more than 130 miles long, is the place for you. Most of the island chain has been set aside as Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the first national seashore in the US. The Outer Banks are also the site of England’s first attempt at colonizing the New World from 1585 to 1587, so there’s plenty here for history buffs too.

The island chain is accessible at its northern end by road but in the south only by ferry, making that southerly end, Ocracoke Island, more remote in atmosphere, less populated and visited, and consequently for us more attractive as a destination. But the north has its attractions too, especially Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers made their first historic flight, and Roanoke with its good aquarium and replica ship the Elizabeth II. And wherever you go on the islands you’ll find great seafood, friendly small motels and inns, and great coastal scenery. Don’t come here to get a suntan though – we had quite a lot of rain in the four or five days we spent here.

I’ve written separate tips about Kitty Hawk and the Roanoke attractions, and a whole separate page about Ocracoke, which we found a really magical spot.

Fondest memory: We combined our tour of North Carolina with a few days in Virginia, and altogether were touring for just over two weeks. Our route was as follows:

• Flew into Charlotte direct from London Gatwick
• From there, west to the Blue Ridge Mountains, where we spent a couple of days at the southern end before driving north into Virginia
• East via Lynchburg and Richmond to Williamsburg
• South, back into North Carolina, to the Outer Banks
• Drove down the Outer Banks and via a ferry to Ocracoke
• From there another ferry back to the mainland and further south to Washington, Atlantic Beach and Wilmington
• Finally back to Charlotte, and home

Favorite thing: I love it when it snows on top of the mountains! There is no snow in Florida, there are no mountains in Florida, so I miss that. North Carolina is the closest place to see snowy mountains and it is not that cold that you are too miserable to be outside. I don't want to be outside if it is under 25 degrees......

Fondest memory: Beech Mountain snow storm when we got there on the 26th last week and we did not expect snow.....it was a nice suprise and we got to use the snow chains I have carried around in my truck for the past 3 winter trips up there , yet never used ( they work:-)

Fondest memory: North Carolina's official flag was adopted in 1885. This red, white, and blue flag has a white star, the letters N C around the star (standing for North Carolina), and two yellow scrolls, above and below, bearing dates. The upper date, May 20th, 1775, commemorates the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (named for Mecklenburg County, where North Carolina citizens met to declare their freedom from Great Britain, although the original document was destroyed and some people have questioned its existence). The lower date, April 12th, 1776, commemorates the adoption of the Halifax Resolves (this was the first official action by a colony calling for independence from Britain).

Fondest memory: Basically, there are 2 legends as to why North Carolina is called the "Tar Heel State." The one that circulates around the most dates back to the American Civil War. Tar was a very big commodity in North Carolina during the Civil War, and the legend says that North Carolinians were unable to hold thier positions during the battles, and if they were to "Tar their heels," they would be able to hold thier positions better.....

Personally, it really doesn't sound very realistic, but, it's a legend, so what can I say??

To get both legends, go to: http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/nc_intro.htm

Fondest memory: All over the beaches...and not just limited to North Carolina...are seagulls. Although they are beautiful birds, they are quite nasty. I actually saw one snatch an entire sandwich from a friend of mine's hand once!!! Not to mention, they are greedy. If you decide to feed them, prepare to get pooped on!

Favorite thing: This picture was taken at Fort Fisher, close to where I used to live. It is the best picture of a sunset on the bay I have yet taken.

Fondest memory: Spending evenings at the bay watching sunsets....quiet, tranquil, serene...what more could you want?

Favorite thing: If you only come away with one useful tip from me... please take this one.

Tempers run high when barbecue to sought to be defined in NC...you see... the term varies widely across the US, but especially in NC. In NC the term refers to less about how the cooking process is done but rather the outcome of the meal. The meat is served up usually alone, or on a bun, shreaded and minced beyond recognition. BUT.... the biggest difference is the spicy vinegar based sauce that bestows the meat....

Having stated all this.. there is then Lexington, NC which dubs itself the " barbeque capital of NC", and there they practice the ultimate blasphemy by putting tomatoes in the sauce.

My advice is to become a vegetarian so you wouldn't care less :)