Five great road trips to take in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of the most beautiful states in the US to explore. There are many different road trips to experience, and you can stop off at cities full of character and romance, such as Asheville and Charlotte. All of this comes amidst the backdrop of awe inspiring mountains.

It does not matter when you visit North Carolina, there is always plenty to see and do. During the warm summer months, you can explore some of the three hundred miles of beach in the area. As the weather turns cold, you and your family can be entertained by the winter activities in Maggie Valley. Of course, you can also take the road and head off on any of the best road trips in North Carolina.

Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most famous expanse of road in North Carolina. Taking this route, you can admire some of the inspiring scenery in the southern Appalachian Mountains. At both ends of the Parkway you will find an impressive national park. One of these parks lies within the state of North Carolina; the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to around 1,500 black bears, as well as many other animal species. It's a popular place for families to spend time, as is Shenandoah National Park in Virginia which lies at the other end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Travel the Cherohala Skyway
Starting out in Robbinsville, North Carolina, you can take a fifty-two-mile trip along the Cherohala Skyway, finishing in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and get some amazing photographs of the Smoky Mountains along the way. You can even stop and spend time hiking in the Cherokee National Forest or Nantahala National Forest, if you like the idea of some fresh air and exercise.

Enjoy the views from the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway
If you love beaches, you will be very happy with this road trip. The Byway takes you through twenty-one beach villages, including Hatteras, and Ocracoke. In addition to more than one hundred and thirty-eight miles of driving along the Byway, you also get to spend twenty-five miles riding on a ferry along barrier islands. Leave yourself plenty of time to learn about the maritime heritage of the area, or to just dip your toes in the ocean.

Indulge the NASCAR fan in you
The NASCAR race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway takes place in May, but you can pay a visit to the track at any time of year. You can then continue on to Kannapolis and visit all the childhood haunts of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. Mooresville is also a must stop on this road trip as it's home to some of the big name racing teams and you can take a look in their showrooms.

Take a look at some amazing waterfalls
North Carolina is known as the home of some of the most incredible waterfalls in country. Linville Falls is just a four-mile hike away from a stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once you reach the falls, you get to experience some of the best views in the area; the same can be said of Crabtree Falls which are close by. Driving can be warm work, so if you fancy cooling down why not take a dip in the water at Looking Glass Falls. One of the best things about these falls is that they are easy to access, so all the family can join in.

Spectacular waterfalls, beautiful beaches, awesome mountains and incredible scenery make North Carolina the perfect place to take a road trip.