See. Hubbell Rubble A roadside folk-art menagerie of welded scrap metal creatures along Highway 99. Fort Apache A one-person creative universe built from scrap, near Oak Island. Charlotte's Whitewater Center Experience whitewater rafting on the largest manmade whitewater river in the world. Daniel Stowe Conservancy Explore 90 acres of cultivated gardens, famous for over 5,000 orchids.
Eat. Krispy Kreme doughnut shop Visit the commemorative plaque marking the original 1937 location in Winston-Salem. Big Daddy's Seafood A former restaurant in Pikeville, now marked by a 1950s Matador cruise missile.
Stay. Wilmington A coastal city and base camp for adventure on land and water, filmed as 'Cousins Beach'. Asheville An artsy mountain town known for its creative scene, hiking, and crafts.
Atlas Obscura
The small grass lot along Highway 99 is packed with Jerry Hubbell's welded folk-art creatures, a whole menagerie built from farm equipment, scrap metal, and whatever else he had lying around. The cowboy, the dinosaur, the tin man, the giant insect and the pig in glasses all sharing space in this rusty universe. Jerry Hubbell was a rancher who learned welding only to repair farm implements, then…
Condé Nast Traveler
A comprehensive guide to the best road trips in the US, including the places to stop, where to stay, and what you’ll see along each route.
Outside
Sure, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are impressive, but our national parks columnist argues national parks in the East rival their popular counterparts out West when it comes to biodiversity, accessibility, and more.
Outside
A lifetime cyclist and avid mountain biker, our columnist ranks the most mountain bike-friendly small towns across America. The towns that made the cut have a lot of singletrack. But just as important as miles of trail is the vibe.
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Smithsonian Magazine
Along America’s southeastern coast, descendants of enslaved Africans pass down traditions and knowledge of crafts, ecology and food through generations
Outside
Beach camping sites are hard to find and reserve the closer you get to peak season, so we won't gatekeep. Book these coveted spots from Assateague Island to the Kalalau Trail, before they are gone.
Outside
With four perfect seasons, this Southern getaway is always the right destination
Outside
This lesser-known outdoor hub has something for every kind of explorer, from novice to adrenaline junkie—on, under, and off the water
Atlas Obscura
While visiting Old Salem, Winston Salem's historic district, founded by Moravian settlers in 1766, not only can you tour period homes with period decorations, walk brick sidewalks, and explore Salem College, you can also find a commemorative plaque that marks the spot of the original Krispy Kreme doughnut shop! The doughnut shop was founded in 1937 by Vernon Rudolph who bought the famous secret…
Atlas Obscura
Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Roanoke Island is home to one of America’s most enduring mysteries: the disappearance of an entire colony without a trace. Roanoke Island was first surveyed by English explorers in 1584, when the Spanish Empire was still the dominant colonial power in the Americas. The English statesman Sir Walter Raleigh sought to establish a colony in the region t…
Condé Nast Traveler
From mountain chalets to urban escapes, these Airbnbs double as wellness retreats.
Condé Nast Traveler
“America the Beautiful,” indeed.
Condé Nast Traveler
In the wake of last year's destructive Hurricane Helene, the vibrant creative community in this North Carolina city is thriving once again. What Asheville needs now are travelers to share the love.
Atlas Obscura
If you’re driving down Big Daddy’s Road in Pikeville, North Carolina, (perhaps on your way to or from the Goldsboro Nuclear Mishap site ), you might be surprised to see a winged Matador cruise missile from the 1950s prominently displayed in a church parking lot. This missile is from the MGM-1 Matador family, first flown in 1949 and in service from 1952 to 1962. This missile family is one of the…
Condé Nast Traveler
Open floor plans, gigantic glass windows, and minimalist furniture define these historic Airbnbs across the country.
Condé Nast Traveler
Here’s where to escape at the world’s most remote Airbnbs, from the Faroe Islands to Patagonia and Death Valley.
Condé Nast Traveler
The beloved beach enclave stands in for a nebulous Northeast location.
Atlas Obscura
Obscura Day is an Atlas Obscura tradition where the whole team takes a day off to explore—whether it’s a nearby hidden gem or a distant, wondrous site. Check out the places our team visited. Johanna Mayer, Senior Producer I was in North Carolina for a music festival, so I decided to explore some of the nearby natural wonders in the jaw-dropping Blue Ridge Mountains. After hiking through mountai…
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Smithsonian Magazine
From unexplained phenomena to baffling disappearances, follow the clues while discovering our country’s treasured protected areas
AI answers grounded in the 19 recent stories about North Carolina shown on this page. It can be wrong — the linked articles are the source of truth.