North Carolina is a pretty diverse state, with everything from mountains and national parks to beaches and coastal towns.
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beaches of the Outer Banks, the scenery alone is worth the trip. The state is known for foods like fried green tomatoes and hush puppies, and for being the birthplace of well-known brands like Krispy Kreme and Pepsi.
It’s also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and one of the best ways to experience the landscape is by driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is often considered one of the most scenic drives in the U.S.
Here’s a look at what North Carolina is known for.
Food North Carolina is Known For
Hush Puppies
Hush puppies are a well-known side dish in North Carolina, often served alongside fried seafood or barbecue. They’re made from a simple cornmeal batter, usually mixed with ingredients like onions or buttermilk, then deep-fried until golden brown.
They have a crisp outer layer with a soft, slightly sweet center. You’ll commonly see them served in baskets at casual restaurants, especially along the coast or at barbecue spots.
Calabash Seafood
Calabash seafood refers to a style of cooking that comes from the small town of Calabash in southern North Carolina. It’s known for lightly breading seafood and frying it quickly, which gives it a crisp texture without being too heavy.
Shrimp, fish, oysters, and scallops are all commonly prepared this way and are usually served in large portions with sides like hush puppies, coleslaw, and fries.
The style has spread beyond the town itself, but it’s still most associated with the coastal areas of North Carolina, where seafood is commonplace.
Livermush
Livermush is a regional food found mainly in western North Carolina. It’s made from a mixture of pork liver, cornmeal, and spices, which is cooked into a loaf, sliced, and then pan-fried.
The outside becomes crisp while the inside stays soft, and it’s most often served for breakfast, usually in a sandwich or alongside eggs.
It’s especially popular in smaller towns and has a strong following locally, with festivals and events centered around it in places like Shelby.
Eastern North Carolina Style Barbecue
Barbecue is a big deal in North Carolina, and the eastern style is one of the most traditional.
Instead of focusing on specific cuts of meat, this style uses the whole hog, slow-cooked over a pit. The flavor comes from a vinegar-based sauce, which gives it a tangy, slightly sharp taste rather than anything sweet.
It’s usually served chopped with coleslaw, and you’ll find it at everything from small roadside spots to bigger restaurants.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are a classic Southern dish you’ll find across North Carolina. They’re made using unripe tomatoes, which are sliced, coated in cornmeal or flour, and fried until golden.
The result is a crisp exterior with a slightly tangy, firm center. They’re often served as a side dish or appetizer, sometimes with a dipping sauce like ranch or a remoulade.
While they’re popular throughout the South, they’re a regular feature on menus in North Carolina, especially at casual restaurants and diners.
What is North Carolina’s Signature Drink?
Cherry Bounce
Cherry Bounce is one of those older, traditional drinks you might not come across unless you’re specifically looking for it.
It dates back to the 1700s and is made by soaking cherries in alcohol like brandy or whiskey, along with sugar, and letting it sit for a while to develop flavor. The result is a sweet, slightly strong drink with a bit of a kick.
Companies North Carolina is Known For
Texas Pete
Despite the name, Texas Pete actually comes from North Carolina.
This famous hot sauce was created in Winston-Salem in 1929 and is still made there today. You’ll see it on tables in a lot of restaurants across the state, especially alongside barbecue and other Southern dishes. It’s milder than some hot sauces, so it works well if you want flavor without too much heat.
Krispy Kreme
Founded in Winston-Salem in 1937, Krispy Kreme remains one of the most recognizable food brands to come out of North Carolina.
The company is best known for its Original Glazed doughnuts, which are served warm and have a light texture with a thin, sweet coating. Many locations still have viewing windows where you can watch the doughnuts being made.
Bojangles
You’ll see Bojangles all over North Carolina, especially if you’re driving around or stopping for something quick.
It was founded in Charlotte in the 1970s and is known for its fried chicken, seasoned fries, and buttermilk biscuits. Breakfast is a big thing here too, with biscuit sandwiches being one of the most popular orders.
This is more of a fast, casual stop than a sit-down meal, but it’s a very recognizable part of the local food scene.
Pepsi
Pepsi has its roots in North Carolina, first created by a pharmacist in New Bern in the late 1800s.
It originally started as a kind of health drink before becoming the soda we know today. The original site is now home to a small Pepsi store, which is a fun stop if you’re nearby.
Cheerwine
Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink that’s been around since 1917 and is still made in North Carolina.
It has a slightly different taste compared to other sodas, which is probably why it’s stuck around for so long. You’ll see it in stores and restaurants across the state, and it’s one of those local things people tend to be pretty loyal to.
Places and Cities North Carolina is Known For
Raleigh
As the state capital, Raleigh has more of a local, everyday feel compared to some of the bigger cities.
It’s part of the Research Triangle, along with Durham and Chapel Hill, so there’s a strong university and tech presence here. You’ll find a good mix of museums, including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, along with parks and walking trails.
The food scene has also been growing over the last few years, with a mix of casual spots and newer restaurants popping up around the city. There’s some decent stuff to do here, but it’s generally a bit quieter than somewhere like Charlotte.
Asheville
Up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has a completely different atmosphere.
It’s known for its arts scene, independent shops, and a big craft beer culture, with dozens of breweries across the city. Downtown is easy to walk around, with galleries, cafés, and live music venues.
It’s also a good base if you want to explore the outdoors, with access to hiking trails and scenic drives like the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside the city.
Outer Banks
Stretching along the coast, the Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands known for their beaches and slower pace.
It’s a popular spot for beach trips, but there’s also quite a bit of history here. This is where the Wright brothers made their first successful flight, and you’ll also find lighthouses, shipwreck history, and even wild horses in some areas.
Each part of the Outer Banks has a slightly different feel, but overall it’s a more relaxed, coastal kind of trip.
Charlotte
Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and has more of a modern, fast-growing feel.
It’s a major financial hub, but there’s also a lot going on in terms of restaurants, nightlife, and sports. You’ve got teams like the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets based here, along with the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Neighborhoods like South End are especially popular, with breweries, bars, and places to eat all within walking distance.
Great Smoky Mountains
On the western side of the state, the Great Smoky Mountains are one of the biggest natural highlights.
This area is part of the most visited national park in the U.S., known for its mountain views, waterfalls, and hundreds of hiking trails. You’ll also find scenic drives, wildlife like black bears, and quieter areas if you want to get away from the crowds.
It’s a good place to slow things down a bit and spend time outdoors.
Curious to know what how North and South Carolina differ from each other? Check out my article on the differences between North and South Carolina.
Landmarks and Attractions North Carolina is Known For
NASCAR Hall of Fame
If you’re even slightly interested in motorsports, this is one of the main attractions in North Carolina.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is located in Charlotte and is dedicated to the history of stock car racing. Inside, there are exhibits on famous drivers, race cars, and the evolution of the sport, along with simulators where you can get a feel for what it’s like on the track.
Even if you’re not a huge fan, it’s still one of the more unique attractions in the state.
Wright Brothers Memorial
Near the Outer Banks, the Wright Brothers National Memorial marks the spot where the first successful powered flight took place in 1903.
You can walk along the path of the original flight, visit the museum, and see replicas of the aircraft. It’s a pretty interesting stop, especially considering how much that moment changed travel.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway “America’s Favorite Drive” is easily one of the best ways to see this part of the state.
The road runs through the mountains and connects North Carolina to Virginia, with plenty of overlooks, hiking trails, and picnic spots along the way. It’s especially popular in the fall when the leaves change, but it’s worth doing at any time of year.
Biltmore Estate
Just outside Asheville, the Biltmore Estate is one of the most well-known attractions in North Carolina.
It’s the largest privately owned home in the U.S., built by the Vanderbilt family, and you can tour the inside to see how it was designed. There are also gardens, walking trails, and a winery on the property, so you can easily spend a few hours here.
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is one of those places that’s all about the view.
Located in Chimney Rock State Park, it’s a large rock formation you can reach either by hiking or taking an elevator part of the way up. From the top, you get wide views over the surrounding mountains and Lake Lure.
There are also a few trails nearby, including one that leads to Hickory Nut Falls.
History, Culture and Other Things North Carolina is Known For
Tar Heel State
North Carolina is often called the “Tar Heel State,” and the name goes back to its early industries.
In the past, the state produced things like tar, pitch, and turpentine from its pine forests, which were used for shipbuilding. Workers handling these materials would often end up with tar stuck to their heels, which is where the nickname came from.
Over time, it became a term of pride, and you’ll still hear it used across the state today.
First Human Flight
North Carolina is where the first successful powered flight took place.
In 1903, the Wright brothers made their first flight in Kitty Hawk, which completely changed how people travel. You can still visit the site today at the Wright Brothers National Memorial and see exactly where it happened.
Asheville Beer Week
Asheville Beer Week is one of the bigger events tied to the city’s craft beer scene.
It usually runs for about a week and includes things like tastings, brewery events, and collaborations between local breweries. Asheville already has a reputation as one of the top beer cities in the U.S., so this is when it really leans into that.
If you happen to be visiting at the same time, it’s a good chance to try a few different places without having to plan too much.
Research Triangle
The Research Triangle is one of the main reasons North Carolina has grown so much in recent years.
It’s made up of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and is centered around major universities like Duke and UNC. The area has become a hub for tech, research, and biotech companies, which has brought in a lot of jobs and development.
Famous People From North Carolina
- Julianne Moore – Oscar-winning actress born in Fayetteville
- Zach Galifianakis – comedian and actor known for The Hangover, from Wilkesboro
- Michael Jordan – NBA legend widely associated with North Carolina and played college basketball at UNC
- Nina Simone – influential singer, pianist, and civil rights activist from Tryon
- James Taylor – singer-songwriter known for classics like Fire and Rain, raised in Chapel Hill
- Dale Earnhardt – NASCAR legend from Kannapolis
FAQs About North Carolina
North Carolina is known for its mix of mountains and coastline, with places like the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Outer Banks. It’s also known for Southern food, NASCAR, and its role in early aviation with the Wright brothers’ first flight.
North Carolina is known for producing tobacco, sweet potatoes, and pork, along with a growing wine industry. It’s also the birthplace of major brands like Pepsi and Krispy Kreme.
Some of the most well-known foods include Eastern-style barbecue, fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, and regional dishes like livermush.
Yes, especially if you like a mix of outdoor scenery and cities. You can explore the mountains, relax on the coast, or visit places like Asheville and Charlotte, all within the same state.
The Blue Ridge Mountains, Outer Banks, Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh are some of the most popular places to visit.
A Final Word
North Carolina is rapidly gaining in popularity, with more and more people moving to places like Charlotte and Asheville. The state has a lot going for it, from job opportunities and growing cities to easy access to both mountains and the coast.
