Asheville
3 hostels · dorms from $45
An artsy mountain city of breweries and galleries.
Points of interest
- Biltmore
- South Slope breweries
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- River Arts District
State guide
Things to do in North Carolina
Asheville's breweries and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains, the wild Outer Banks and Ocracoke's ponies, free museums in Raleigh, river town Wilmington and arguments over barbecue.
5
Hostels across its 4 main cities
9.2
Average, from 930 reviews
1903
First powered flight, Kill Devil Hills
From the mountains to the Outer Banks
North Carolina stretches from the highest peaks in the eastern USA to the long sandy barrier islands of the Outer Banks. In between are university towns, historic ports and some of the best barbecue in the South.
In the west, Asheville is an artsy mountain city of breweries, galleries and the grand Biltmore Estate. It was badly hit by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, and most of the city, including downtown and Biltmore, has reopened; parts of the River Arts District are still rebuilding. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds along the mountain ridges, and the Great Smoky Mountains straddle the border with Tennessee.
On the coast, the Outer Banks are a chain of narrow islands where the Wright brothers made the first powered flight in 1903, with tall lighthouses, huge dunes and the car-free feel of Ocracoke, reached by ferry. Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill form the Research Triangle, with free museums and lively food scenes, and Wilmington is a historic river port near the beaches. Give North Carolina a week. Spring and autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Asheville for the mountains, Raleigh for the Triangle, and Wilmington or Ocracoke for the coast.
Raleigh
The capital, with free museums.
Points of interest
- NC Museum of Art
- Museum of Natural Sciences
- Durham and Chapel Hill nearby
Wilmington
1 hostel · dorms from $30
A historic river port near the beaches.
Points of interest
- Riverwalk
- USS North Carolina
- Wrightsville Beach
Ocracoke
1 hostel · dorms from $125
A quiet island village on the Outer Banks.
Points of interest
- Wild ponies
- Ocracoke Lighthouse
- Empty beaches
Regions of North Carolina
Mountains in the west, cities in the Piedmont in the middle, and islands and beaches on the coast.
Asheville and the Blue Ridge
Mountains, breweries, BiltmoreThe mountain city and the Parkway.
Great Smoky Mountains
Hiking, elkThe North Carolina side of the park.
Research Triangle
Free museums, college townsRaleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.
Charlotte
Big cityThe state's biggest city and main airport.
Outer Banks
Dunes, lighthouses, poniesThe barrier islands and Ocracoke.
Wilmington and the south coast
River port, beachesWilmington and Wrightsville Beach.
Things to do
Things to do in North Carolina
In Asheville, tour the Biltmore Estate, the largest private house in the USA, try the breweries of the South Slope, and browse the downtown galleries. Drive open sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway for mountain views, and hike to waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest. In the Great Smoky Mountains, see the elk at Cataloochee and hike to Clingmans Dome.
In Raleigh, visit the free North Carolina Museum of Art and its park, and the free Museum of Natural Sciences. Durham has the American Tobacco Campus and Duke Gardens, and Chapel Hill is a classic college town.
On the coast, climb the dunes at Jockey's Ridge, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, and see the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Take the free ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke for quiet beaches and wild ponies. Walk the Wilmington riverfront and visit the battleship USS North Carolina.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Raleigh's North Carolina Museum of Art, its outdoor sculpture park and the Museum of Natural Sciences are free. The Blue Ridge Parkway is free to drive, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no entry fee, though parking tags are needed.
The Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry is free, and so are Jockey's Ridge State Park and most Outer Banks beaches.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial and Biltmore charge entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
North Carolina barbecue is chopped or pulled pork, and the state is divided: Eastern style uses the whole hog with a vinegar and pepper sauce, while Lexington style, in the Piedmont, uses pork shoulder with a sauce that adds tomato. Hush puppies and slaw come on the side.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Cheerwine, a cherry soft drink, are from North Carolina. The coast has fresh seafood, and Asheville and Durham have excellent restaurants.
Asheville is one of the craft beer capitals of the USA. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Asheville has breweries, live music and street performers downtown. Raleigh's Glenwood South and Durham's downtown have bars and music venues, and Chapel Hill's Franklin Street is busy with students.
Wilmington's riverfront has bars, and the Outer Banks are quiet at night.
Bars close at 2am.
Getting around
Getting around
Charlotte Douglas is a big international hub, and Raleigh-Durham and Asheville have airports. Amtrak runs from Charlotte through Raleigh to the North-east, and the Piedmont trains link Charlotte and Raleigh.
A car is essential for the mountains and the coast. Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are still closed for Helene repairs, including the stretch between Linville Falls and Mount Mitchell, so check the National Park Service road status before driving.
The Outer Banks are linked by bridges and state ferries.
Costs
What North Carolina costs
North Carolina is moderately priced. Asheville and the Outer Banks get expensive in summer and autumn weekends, while Raleigh and Durham are good value.
Sales tax is 4.75 per cent statewide, plus local taxes, usually around 7 per cent in total. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Free museums, the free Ocracoke ferry and the Parkway help keep costs down.
Safety
Safety and scams
North Carolina is generally safe; take normal city care at night.
In the mountains, check road and trail closures, as some areas damaged by Helene are still being repaired. Keep your distance from black bears and elk.
The Outer Banks have strong rip currents and hurricane season from June to November; follow local warnings and evacuation orders. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Autumn colour, music and beach season.
Staff pick
15–25 October
North Carolina State Fair
Raleigh
Every year, the NC State Fair in Raleigh attracts attendees from far and wide to experience the best of North Carolina's agriculture, food, music,…
Staff pick
23 October
Steve Lacy
Raleigh
Steve Lacy is an acclaimed singer and multi-instrumentalist who has been making music for the past 15 years. He emerged onto the scene in…
Staff pick
28 October
Beck
Asheville
Beck brings his signature sound to the stage with a night of chart-topping hits. Enjoy an evening of powerful lyrics and catchy beets from…
Staff pick
22 November
Gabriel Iglesias
Raleigh
Gabriel Jesús Iglesias, also known as Fluffy, is an American comedian. He is best known for his hit show, "I'm Not Fat… I'm Fluffy…
Staff pick
4–6 December
Jurassic Quest
Raleigh
Jurassic Quest is the largest and most realistic interactive dinosaur event in North America where lifesize moving museum-quality dinosaurs are exhibited. Guests can walk…
Staff pick
31 December
The Avett Brothers
Asheville
The Avett Brothers is a folk rock band from North Carolina that combines other genres like country, bluegrass, punk, pop, ragtime, honky tonk, and…
Staff pick
13 October
Brigitte Calls Me Baby
Asheville
Brigitte Calls Me Baby blends retro rock with modern indie flair, channeling vintage vocals and cinematic sound. Their performances are stylish, dreamy, and emotionally…
Staff pick
14 October
Knocked Loose
Asheville
Knocked Loose is a hardcore punk band from Kentucky known for their popular singles like "Counting Worms", "Mistakes Like Fractures", "Deadringer" and "Oblisions Peak"…
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in North Carolina, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
The Lazy Tiger Hostel
Asheville
Dorms from $48 a night
See dates and book
Bon Paul & Sharky's Hostel
Asheville
Dorms from $45 a night
See dates and book
Chestnut Hostel
Wilmington NC
Dorms from $30 a night
See dates and book
Elevation Lofts Hotel
Asheville
Rooms from $87 a night
See dates and book
Ocracat Studios
Ocracoke
Dorms from $125 a night
See dates and book
When to go
April to June and September to October are the best times. Mid to late October brings spectacular autumn colour to the mountains. Summer is beach season on the coast, and hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Cold in the mountains
Feb
Cool
Mar
Spring
Apr
Wildflowers
May
Pleasant
Jun
Beach season
Jul
Warm, coast busy
Aug
Hurricane risk
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cool
Dec
Biltmore at Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Asheville, rounded. The coast is warmer.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Asheville prices.
Treat these as a guide. Autumn weekends cost more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
North Carolina questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Asheville open after Hurricane Helene?
Yes. Downtown, Biltmore and most attractions have reopened. Parts of the River Arts District are still rebuilding.
Is the Blue Ridge Parkway open?
Most of it is, but some North Carolina sections are still closed for Helene repairs. Check the National Park Service road status.
How do I get to Ocracoke?
By the free ferry from Hatteras, or by toll ferry from Swan Quarter or Cedar Island.
What is the difference between Eastern and Lexington barbecue?
Eastern uses the whole hog with a vinegar sauce; Lexington uses pork shoulder with a sauce that adds tomato.
Do I need a car in North Carolina?
Yes, for the mountains and the coast.
When is the best time to see autumn colour?
Mid to late October in the mountains.
Are Raleigh's museums free?
Yes, the Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural Sciences have free general admission.
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