North Carolina
Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, in the southeastern United States. At an elevation of 6,643 feet, it is the highest mountain in the Smokies, the highest point in the state of Tennessee, and the highest point along the 2,192-mile Appalachian Trail.
Craggy Gardens
Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.4 – 367.6: Craggy Gardens Twisted, jagged, rocky “crags” give Craggy Gardens its name, but these high elevation summits are home to the most spectacular floral display along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway corridor. For generations, visitors have headed for the Craggies in June, typically the prime time for viewing the pink and purple blooms of Catawba rhododendrons that blanket the area.
Asheville
Asheville is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, including the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence. The vast 19th-century Biltmore estate displays artwork by masters like Renoir. The Downtown Art District is filled with galleries and museums, and in the nearby River Arts District, former factory buildings house artists' studios.
Ocracoke
Ocracoke is a village on Ocracoke Island, part of North Carolina's coastal Outer Banks region. The landmark 1823 Ocracoke Lighthouse overlooks the village and Pamlico Sound. Set in an early 1900s house, the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum traces the island’s history. Nearby, the tiny British Cemetery contains the graves of WWII sailors. Silver Lake is dotted with boats, and shops and restaurants line its harbor.
