Best places: Visitor centers in North Carolina

Center with history exhibits on mountain life & a farm musuem with log structures, plus a gift shop.

5,579 acres of woodlands with hiking & bridle trails, campgrounds & 3 man-made fishing lakes.

👍👍 A remarkable moment in history where 2 men who owned a bicycle shop in Ohio, persevered with their dream to create a flying machine. The first flight achieved here on December 17th 1903. It's absolutely extraordinary how aviation has developed since that date.

This park commemorating a Revolutionary War battle features statues & historical exhibits.

👍👍 This gift shop and stop over is a mile high, according to my motorcycle satellite GPS. When the clouds roll in here it is a thing of beauty, and dangerous as it comes! The hike is a good one as well. Do not ride this portion of the Parkway without stopping by. It is a place I will definitely return...

👍👍 I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Fort Macon 👍 I highly recommend it to everyone out there!!!

👍👍 Great location for a day trip with family. Trail was well laid with partially on cement pavement , stone gravel , wooden steps. Nearing to the top there was a unpaved, stone laid path, might be little difficult for older person or small kids, but we hiked with 4 year old boy and he did it without mu...

👍👍 We stopped here while coming back from Cherokee and it was well worth it. A lot of info inside and very detailed map of blue ridge parkway. If you are planning on going then you must stop here. I also saw people just hanging outside and eating their lunch. There are restrooms inside as well as a gif...

Information center offering history, guides, maps & mountain views, close to trails & a picnic spot.

👍👍 Our captain and crew mate were awesome! We were first timers and had a party of 10 they even let the kids on board drive the boat. If in the area again we will definitely come back and use this service again. Very knowledgeable and very friendly! Highly suggest for anyone. Only downfall is the store...

👍👍 Beautiful pretty easy access. Started at the visitor’s center walked to the upper falls and then up the trail to see the overviews. John 3:16

👍👍 This has a few trails both walking and bicycling. Visitor center was very informative and the man at the gate was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. It's the swamp so expect bugs and snakes. Going back in fall I know it'll be beauful with all the trees. No fees.

👍👍 This would be the nicest rest area I'd ever visited -- if I hadn't stopped at the Southbound side on the first leg of my trip. As nice as this one is, the other side is amazing.

👍👍 Beautiful place to stretch your legs. The wildflowers and trees in full bloom were amazing to see.

This 1753 Moravian historical site within a wildlife preserve has a reconstructed village & church.

👍👍 If you know me, you know I love dams! This happens to be one of my all time favorites! The TVA at its best here. Appalachian Trail hikers know this area well. Free admission and you can learn so much interesting stuff about dam building and operations. Plus they have a groovy gift shop.