The North Carolina Bucket List Book

By Christina Riley and Carl Hedinger

Travel North Carolina with this bucket list in your hand. Created by North Carolina travel bloggers, NC Tripping, this book highlights the most unique things to do throughout the Tar Heel State. From historical landmarks to nature beauties, North Carolina is a destination worthy of wanderlust.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TRAVEL THROUGH LIFE LLC
• Release date: Feb 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9780578879673

Book preview

From the moment we started NC Tripping, requests poured in for something like a bucket list of things to do in North Carolina.

And then one day, our niece was doing a school scavenger hunt on A-to-Z things in North Carolina. Her mom asked us if we had any books that could help, little light flicked on inside our heads, and that's how all this started.

Putting this book together was a mix of stress and happiness. But honestly, it really is a lot of fun to look back through all the places we’ve visited, the photos and the memories we’ve created. This is said a lot but we are so lucky to live in North Carolina.

We're grateful, full of love, and very happy to present you with this guide. If we missed something or somewhere that’s close to your heart, don’t worry. We’re not done yet.

Stay tuned as we continue exploring North Carolina and sharing on our social media channels and on our website. Finally, buckle up for all the things to do in North Carolina and take notes for your next trip through this awesome state!

Carl and Christina

Contents

Organization Note

Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina Checklist

Waterfalls in North Carolina

Central North Carolina

Eastern North Carolina

Eastern North Carolina Checklist

Organization Note

We’ve organized the book into three sections:

Western

Central

Eastern

The first three are grouped alphabetically by the largest or most notable city (or seat) in a particular county, followed by additional spots in said county.

Exception examples include the following:

• Waterfalls before Asheville in our Western section.

• Attractions that cross county and state lines, are better known together (ex. The Outer Banks) or stand out on their own (ex. The Blue Ridge Parkway).

Each section will start with a checklist that doubles as a table of contents. Additional interactive checklists will continue throughout and you can find a checklist index in the back of this book.

For a map of all the places we mention, please visit NCTripping.com/north-carolina-travel-map/.

Western North Carolina

From the Foothills to the Tennessee border, many of the state’s most famous natural landmarks are found here, including the highest point in Eastern North America, Mount Mitchell. While many parts has seen much commercial development, some areas remain relatively untouched.

One shining example is Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, within Pisgah National Forest. We've fallen in love with this area and can't wait to share all the places to visit in Western North Carolina. Follow along with the checklist on the next page and profiles beyond that.

nctripping.com/western-north-carolina

Western North Carolina Checklist

This is the first of our travel checklists, which will take you through more than 40 of our favorite places in Western North Carolina.

* indicates a printable travel checklist is available on the following page.

Waterfalls *

Asheville & Buncombe County

Biltmore Estate

Moogseum

River Arts District

Western NC Nature Center

Hikes near Asheville *

Banner Elk & Avery County

Banner Elk

Apple Hill Farm

Linville

Blowing Rock, Boone, & Watauga County

Blowing Rock

The Blowing Rock

Tweetsie Railroad

Boone

Original Mast General Store

High Country Hikes & Falls *

The Blue Ridge Parkway *

Brevard & Transylvania County

DuPont State Forest

Bryson City & Swain County

Clingmans Dome Observational Tower

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Fontana Lake and Dam

Mingo Falls

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian

Cherohala Skyway

Grandfather Mountain

Danbury & Stokes County

Hanging Rock State Park

Hendersonville & Henderson County

Hendersonville

Sierra Nevada Brewing *

Carl Sandburg Home

Hickory & Catawba County

Hickory

Jefferson & Ashe County

Mount Jefferson

New River State Park

Lake Norman

Morganton & Burke County

Linville Falls

Morganton

Wiseman’s View

Mount Airy & Surry County

Pilot Mountain

Mount Airy

Mount Mitchell State Park

Nantahala National Forest

Pisgah National Forest

Rutherfordton & Rutherford County

Lake Lure

Chimney Rock State Park

Shelby & Cleveland County

Earl Scruggs Center

Livermush *

Spruce Pine & Mitchell County

Little Switzerland

Stone Mountain State Park

Sylva & Jackson County

Sylva

Wilkesboro & Wilkes County

Wilkesboro

Waterfalls in Western NC

We've based more than a few trips on waterfalls we wanted to see. There are hundreds to visit here, but let’s be real. Unless you live in the area or pride yourself as a super adrenaline junkie, it’s going to take you some time to pull off that awesome feat.

We've created guides to waterfalls in two specific areas, near Asheville, Brevard, and Cherokee and in the High Country near Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. Ticking off waterfalls on the next page will be your first fun adventure, if you like exploring as we do.

Waterfalls in North Carolina

With incredible hikes across North Carolina, we've also come across quite a few waterfalls. There are hundreds throughout the state (mostly in Western NC) but here is a checklist of 30 that you must visit!

Bridal Veil Falls (Highlands)

Bust Your Butt Falls

Cascades Falls

Catawba Falls

Crabtree Falls

Dry Falls

Dupont State Recreational Forest

High Falls

Triple Falls

Bridal Veil Falls

Elk River Falls

French Broad Falls

Graveyard Fields

Lower Falls

Upper Falls

Green Mountain Creek Falls

Hanging Rock State Park

Lower Cascade Falls

Window Falls

Hidden Falls

Tory Falls

Upper Cascade Falls

Key Falls

Linville Falls

Looking Glass Falls

Mingo Falls

Moore Cove Falls

Rainbow Falls

Roaring Fork Falls

Setrock Creek Falls

Skinny Dip Falls

Sliding Rock Falls

Stone Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain Falls

Widow’s Creek Falls

Soco Falls

Tom’s Creek Falls

Whitewater Falls

Asheville

ASHEVILLE & BUNCOMBE COUNTY

The mountains of Western North Carolina and 469 mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway aren’t the only things