North Carolina Travel Regions

Attractions - The Coastal Region harbors many resort areas and are well known for their white sand beaches. Included in this area is Cape Hatteras and Lookout National Seashores, which lie on the barrier islands of the state known as the Outer Banks.

The Piedmont Region of the state encompasses the area at the base of the Appalachian Mountains. This region stretches from north to south and harbors North Carolina's largest cities, one of which is Raleigh, the state capital. The economy is fueled by tobacco growers and processors and is often referred to as Tobacco Road. Within the piedmont of North Carolina are the Uhwarrie National Forest and several large lakes and rivers.

The Mountain Region comprises the western portion of the state. The Blue Ridge Mountains lie to the east with the Great Smoky Mountains creating the western ridge. Most of this region is protected by the federal government in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The highest point on the east coast is Mount Mitchell, which can be found on Highway 128 in the mountains of North Carolina.

Recreation - North Carolina supports a recreation opportunity for everybody. Scenic driving can be enjoyed in every region of the state. Visitors to the mountains will enjoy skiing, sledding and snowshoeing in the winter and hiking, camping and fishing in the summer. The coastal terrain supports many water-oriented activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Bike touring, golfing and boating are popular in the piedmont region of the state.

Climate - North Carolina has a temperate climate with mild winters and long fall and spring months. Summers can be hot and humid, especially in the piedmont and coastal plain region, which don't get relief from coastal breezes or higher elevations. The mountains tend to be substantially cooler and receive some winter snow.

The state receives various amounts of precipitation ranging from 30 to 100 inches of rain annually. Transylvania lies in southwestern North Carolina and is deemed the land of waterfalls. This mountainous region receives nearly 8 feet of rain each year.

Location - Stretching from Virginia to South Carolina, the Coastal Region falls east of Roanoke Rapids in the north and Lake Waccamaw in the south.

North Carolina's Piedmont Region encompasses the center of the state between the Virginia and South Carolina state lines with the western boundary falling near Winston-Salem on the north and the huge metropolis of Charlotte on the south. The eastern boundary extends from the Roanoke Rapids area on the north reaching south of Lake Waccamaw.

North Carolina's Mountain Region includes areas from Virginia to South Carolina west of Winston-Salem and west of Charlotte extending over to Tennessee and Georgia.