{"id":1306468,"date":"2026-10-12T11:40:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306468"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:40","slug":"north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/north-carolina\/","title":{"rendered":"North Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_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guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in North Carolina","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"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.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1307967","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"See the main cities | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"1903 | First powered flight, Kill Devil Hills","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"From the mountains to the Outer Banks","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"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.\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nOn 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.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airports | Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Asheville\r\nTime zone | Eastern Time\r\nSales tax | Around 7% in total\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | A car is essential\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nBlue Ridge Parkway | Check closures\r\nHow long to stay | A week\r\nBest months | April to June, September to October","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Regions of North Carolina","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"Mountains in the west, cities in the Piedmont in the middle, and islands and beaches on the coast.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"6","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"Asheville and the Blue Ridge | Mountains, breweries, Biltmore | The mountain city and the Parkway. | 35.5951 | -82.5515 | \nGreat Smoky Mountains | Hiking, elk | The North Carolina side of the park. | 35.5600 | -83.3100 | \nResearch Triangle | Free museums, college towns | Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. | 35.7796 | -78.6382 | \nCharlotte | Big city | The state's biggest city and main airport. | 35.2271 | -80.8431 | \nOuter Banks | Dunes, lighthouses, ponies | The barrier islands and Ocracoke. | 35.5585 | -75.4665 | \nWilmington and the south coast | River port, beaches | Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. | 34.2104 | -77.8868 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in North Carolina","hw_hub_state_do_body":"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.\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nOn 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.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"Biltmore | The largest private house in the USA\r\nBlue Ridge Parkway | Mountain views\r\nOuter Banks | Dunes, lighthouses, Ocracoke\r\nRaleigh museums | Free","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in North Carolina","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"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.\r\n\r\nThe Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry is free, and so are Jockey's Ridge State Park and most Outer Banks beaches.\r\n\r\nThe Wright Brothers National Memorial and Biltmore charge entry.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Raleigh museums | Free\r\nBlue Ridge Parkway | Free to drive\r\nOcracoke ferry | Free from Hatteras\r\nJockey's Ridge | Free dunes","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in North Carolina","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"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.\r\n\r\nKrispy Kreme doughnuts and Cheerwine, a cherry soft drink, are from North Carolina. The coast has fresh seafood, and Asheville and Durham have excellent restaurants.\r\n\r\nAsheville is one of the craft beer capitals of the USA. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Barbecue | Eastern or Lexington style\r\nHush puppies | On the side\r\nAsheville beer | A craft beer capital\r\nSeafood | On the coast","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for North Carolina","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"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.\r\n\r\nWilmington's riverfront has bars, and the Outer Banks are quiet at night.\r\n\r\nBars close at 2am.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"Asheville | Breweries and live music\r\nGlenwood South | Raleigh bars\r\nFranklin Street | Chapel Hill\r\nClosing time | 2am","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for North Carolina","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"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.\r\n\r\nA 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.\r\n\r\nThe Outer Banks are linked by bridges and state ferries.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"Charlotte airport | The main hub\r\nPiedmont trains | Charlotte to Raleigh\r\nCar | Essential\r\nBlue Ridge Parkway | Check closures","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for North Carolina","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What North Carolina costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"North Carolina is moderately priced. Asheville and the Outer Banks get expensive in summer and autumn weekends, while Raleigh and Durham are good value.\r\n\r\nSales 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.\r\n\r\nFree museums, the free Ocracoke ferry and the Parkway help keep costs down.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Asheville | Pricey in autumn\r\nSales tax | Around 7% in total\r\nFree museums | In Raleigh\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for North Carolina","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"North Carolina is generally safe; take normal city care at night.\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nThe Outer Banks have strong rip currents and hurricane season from June to November; follow local warnings and evacuation orders. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nClosures | Check after Helene\r\nRip currents | On the Outer Banks\r\nHurricanes | June to November","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for North Carolina","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"Asheville for the mountains, Raleigh for the Triangle, and Wilmington or Ocracoke for the coast.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"Asheville |  | An artsy mountain city of breweries and galleries. | Biltmore; South Slope breweries; Blue Ridge Parkway; River Arts District | 1306624\nRaleigh |  | The capital, with free museums. | NC Museum of Art; Museum of Natural Sciences; Durham and Chapel Hill nearby | 1306626\nWilmington | wilmington-nc | A historic river port near the beaches. | Riverwalk; USS North Carolina; Wrightsville Beach | 1306627\nOcracoke |  | A quiet island village on the Outer Banks. | Wild ponies; Ocracoke Lighthouse; Empty beaches | 1306625","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"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.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Asheville, rounded. The coast is warmer.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | 9 | 2 | Cold in the mountains\r\nFebruary | 11 | 2 | Cool\r\nMarch | 16 | 3 | Spring\r\nApril | 21 | 4 | Wildflowers\r\nMay | 25 | 5 | Pleasant\r\nJune | 28 | 4 | Beach season\r\nJuly | 29 | 4 | Warm, coast busy\r\nAugust | 29 | 3 | Hurricane risk\r\nSeptember | 26 | 4 | Pleasant\r\nOctober | 21 | 5 | Autumn colour\r\nNovember | 16 | 3 | Cool\r\nDecember | 11 | 3 | Biltmore at Christmas","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"Autumn colour, music and beach season.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"api","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_events":"Autumn colour | Mid to late October | Blue Ridge Mountains | The mountains turn red, orange and gold. |  | \nMerleFest | Late April | Wilkesboro | A big festival of bluegrass and roots music. |  | \nChristmas at Biltmore | November to early January | Asheville | The house decorated for the holidays. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Asheville prices.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Autumn weekends cost more.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 50 | 30 | 20 | 15\r\nMiddle of the road | 120 | 60 | 40 | 40\r\nComfortable | 250 | 110 | 60 | 90","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in North Carolina, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Asheville","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/asheville\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"North Carolina questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"Is Asheville open after Hurricane Helene? | Yes. Downtown, Biltmore and most attractions have reopened. Parts of the River Arts District are still rebuilding.\r\nIs 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.\r\nHow do I get to Ocracoke? | By the free ferry from Hatteras, or by toll ferry from Swan Quarter or Cedar Island.\r\nWhat 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.\r\nDo I need a car in North Carolina? | Yes, for the mountains and the coast.\r\nWhen is the best time to see autumn colour? | Mid to late October in the mountains.\r\nAre Raleigh's museums free? | Yes, the Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural Sciences have free general admission.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels across North Carolina: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Asheville | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/asheville\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"north-carolina","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"usa","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"north-america\/usa","hw_hub_state_currency":"USD","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":"1"},"class_list":["post-1306468","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>North Carolina Travel Guide: Asheville, Outer Banks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan a trip to North Carolina: Asheville after Helene, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Smokies, the Outer Banks, Ocracoke and hostels.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/north-carolina\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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