Built in 1832, the Ocracoke Lighthouse continues lighting the way for mariners traveling through the Ocracoke Inlet. Located on the Ocracoke Island along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway is the 75ft tall Ocracoke Lighthouse. This historical landmark, that was built in 1823 and is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the nation, continues lighting the…

Beautifully lighting the area known as the graveyard of the Atlantic, Cape Hatteras is the tallest lighthouse in America. Located on Hatteras Island, lighting the way for mariners traveling the treacherous Diamond Shoals knows as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, is the mighty Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Standing nearly 200ft tall Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the…

Currituck Lighthouse is the northern most lighthouse in North Carolina and is open to the public. The shores of North Carolina are dotted with beautiful and historic lighthouses that, for over a century, have warned mariners about the treacherous shores that have claimed so many ships over the years. The northern most of these lighthouses…

A nicely designed and maintained National Park honoring the first flights that took place at this location in 1903. Located in the coastal city of Kill Devil Hills North Carolina is the Wright Brothers National Memorial that commemorates the historic first flights that took place at this location on December 17th, 1903. It is a…

Two short and beautiful hikes on an undisturbed barrier island estuarine system. At the far Northeast corner of North Carolina, just 10 miles South of the Virginia border, is the undisturbed barrier island reserve of Currituck Banks. It is a low-salinity estuarine system of ocean beaches, sand dunes, grasslands, shrub thicket, maritime forest, tidal flats,…

The historical landmark, Green Knob Lookout Tower. A fun and unique hiking destination off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sitting just off the Blue Ridge Parkway up on a ridge overlooking the entire area is the unique hiking destination of Green Knob Lookout Tower.  Briefly visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway as you approach the Green…

A great family destination with a large picnic area and easy 5 mile loop trail through beautiful forest. Just north of Brevard North Carolina, in the Southern Pisgah National Forest, is the great family hiking trail – Pink Beds Named for the abundant color that can be present during periods of the summer, this easy…

A wonderful Summertime hike through the cool and fragrant spruce fir forest of Richland Balsam. There is a wonderful summer hiking destination that’s located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway that is about 1/3 of a mile from the highest elevation point of the parkway in Caney Fork North Carolina.  This 1.5 mile loop trail…

A rails-to-trails favorite in Madison county that follows Big Laurel Creek up to the French Broad River. Tucked away in the Pisgah National Forest section of Madison County of North Carolina is the “Rails to Trails” favorite – Laurel River Trail. This 3.6 mile one-way out and back hike is a great family hiking destination…

One of the most popular waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway is easily reached via a short trail. One of the more popular and accessible waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the beautiful Linville Falls.  It is a spectacular multi-tiered waterfall that plunges down into the Linville Gorge  – “Grand Canyon of the Appalachians”.…

A short hike to one of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hidden just off the Blue Ridge Parkway is perhaps one of the best views from the parkway, Chestoa View.  This fabulous overlook and short loop trail offer  stunning views of the Linville Gorge area of the Pisgah National Forest.  The overlook…

A South Carolina wonderland with 4,000 acres of protected land supporting hiking, camping, and fishing. In the upstate of South Carolina in the 11,000+ acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is the 4,000 acre Jones Gap State Park. This South Carolina jewel of a state park built around the gorgeous Middle Saluda River contains pristine mountain…

A 50ft waterfall in the beautiful Jones Gap State Park that is easily reached. Located in the Upstate of South Carolina in the 4,000 acre pristine woodlands of Jones Gap State Park, is the namesake waterfall of the park – Jones Gap Falls.  This 50ft beauty is an easy waterfall to visit as the trail…

While the trail to this 100ft waterfall is rightly rated strenuous, it is a must see South Carolina waterfall. High up on a ridge in Jones Gap State park is the stunning  Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls plummets Camp Creek 100ft over a free fall rock face making this falls a spectacular sight.  It is a…

Quite possibly the best overlook in the Linville Gorge area. A great spot for early morning sunrises since it faces East. Off the beaten path in the Linville Gorge area is the remote treasure of Wiseman’s View.  This handicapped accessible vista, that is only 2/10’s of a mile from the parking lot, has to be…

You can visit the historic location where Pepsi-Cola was created in 1898 by Caleb Bradham. Located in the historic town of New Bern North Carolina is the site where Pepsi-Cola was invented by Caleb Bradham, a local pharmacist, who formulated the iconic taste of this uniquely American beverage in his pharmacy in 1898. This important…

A wonderful 7,000+ acre state park with a number of hiking trails and recreational activities. Just North of Winston-Salem North Carolina in the Sauratown Mountains, is Hanging Rock State Park which  is a 7,000+ acre recreation wonderland of beautiful rivers, cliffs, waterfalls, mountains, a cave, and a 12 acre lake.  The park supports a wide…

A unique hiking destination that provides access to a waterfall and cave. Just off the western edge of Hanging Rock State Park is the unique double hiking destination of Tory’s Den and Falls.  This short hiking trail of less than 1/2 mile round trip provides easy access to Tory’s Falls as well Tory’s Den which…

Two easily reached waterfalls in one hike is what you get with this destination. Northeast of the visitors center at Hanging Rock State Park are two beautiful waterfalls that are a short and easy hike from the visitors center parking lot.  Using a brief section of the Mountains-to-Sea trail, the 6/10’s of a mile hike…

Hike to the top of a mountain and view the impressive Hanging Rock. Located near the center of Hanging Rock State Park is the namesake hiking destination of the park – Hanging Rock.  This 2.6 round-trip hiking trail takes you up to the summit of the beautiful rocky peak that is so strikingly visible as…