When it comes to things to do in North Carolina in summer, the possibilities are endless. From the mountainous west to the pristine beaches of the east the Tar Heel State is blessed with a wide variety of landscapes and places to explore. You could spend a lifetime and never see it all and the closer you look the more you find, so allow me to be your guide today and spark some creativity for some fun things to do in North Carolina in summer!

Best Summer Vacation Destinations In North Carolina

Summer is all about warm lazy days spent by the water and family vacations! There is nothing better than taking some time off from work and gathering your loved ones for an epic trip or dreamy destination getaway. Here are some of my favorites when it comes to family things to do in North Carolina in Summer.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Location: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Popularity: Incredibly busy, but not as busy as the Tennessee side.

Need To Know: Parking over 15 minutes in the park does require you to obtain a parking pass, which can be bought online or at the visitor center.

When it comes to destination vacations this is one of my absolute favorites. There is nothing quite like the Great Smoky Mountains anywhere else in our country. The views, the wildlife, the sense of adventure, and the peace that the mountains bring make this a great place to take your family and you’re sure to find something that is suitable for everyone's tastes. If you are looking for a simple waterfront hike then the Oconaluftee River Trail will be perfect for you. Take a scenic drive on the Newfound Gap Road to see plenty of seasonal waterfalls and gorgeous mountain overlooks. For the best view in the park head up to Clingmans Dome for a short hike to the top or explore the mysterious abandoned tunnel to nowhere. There is plenty to love and do in the Smokies and I have been multiple times and fall more in love with it every time I go.

Outer Banks

Location: The Outer Banks

Popularity: Incredibly busy, this is the best beach area in the state.

Need To Know: There is so much to see and do make sure you plan a longer trip than you might think you need.

The Outer Banks area is one of the most beloved places in the state and for good reason. This small stretch of land makes up a series of islands which all take on their very own distinct culture. There are miles and miles of beaches to lounge out on but there is so much more to do than just that (Not that laying on a beach for a week is a bad thing). My favorite place to go when we visited was Jockey’s Ridge State Park where we hiked the massive sand dunes and made us feel like we were in a desert landscape. The lighthouses are also a great sight to see like the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This was also the spot where the famous Wright Brothers made their adventurous voyage into the air, so head to the Wright Brothers National Memorial to walk in the footsteps of early innovations in aviation. If you need a place to stay the Cape Hatteras KOA is one of the best campgrounds we have ever stayed in. I could go on and on about this part of the state but the best thing to do is pack your bags and take a trip yourself.

Brevard

Location: Brevard, North Carolina

Popularity: Not terribly busy, you can find plenty of nice spots in the wilderness for solitude.

Need To Know: Known as the Land of Waterfalls with over 250 waterfalls all in one county.

Brevard is known as the land of waterfalls and you can find over 250 of them sprawled across Transylvania County and nearby spots. These waterfalls are big and impressive too and as an avid waterfall chaser, I have seen many of these waterfalls myself. So if you are looking to immerse yourself in nature then lace up those hiking boots to see things like Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, Crabtree Falls, Soco Falls, and much more. If you want the most bang for your buck then travel down Highway 64 through Franklin and experience Dry Falls and many others, or head to DuPont State Forest to see towering waterfalls. You could spend many years searching these mountains and never find them all. So when it comes to cheap things to do in North Carolina in Summer this is a great option.

Best Beaches, Lakes & Rivers To Visit In North Carolina This Summer

Summer is all about soaking up the sun, but that can be pretty hot, so lucky for us we have some pretty great spots right on the water to cool off. So whether you prefer to hit the best beaches in North Carolina or paddle down the river in the mountains then you will find some pretty great spots here in the Tar Heel State.

Shackleford Banks

Location: Shackleford, North Carolina

Popularity: Can be busy on a nice day.

Need To Know: You have to take a boat or ferry to get to the island but there are also wild horses.

At first glance, there might be more obvious choices for beaches in North Carolina. You do have to take a ferry to get over to the island and it won't be very cheap, however, once you are there you will find one of the most perfect beaches in the state. The beautiful white sand is pure paradise and because of the effort you to get to the island, you will see fewer crowds than other North Carolina beaches. The best part? There are wild horses on the island roaming free and I can’t think of a better way to enjoy some fun in the sun than with a couple of dozen wild horses frolicking in the water off in the distance. You can also tent camp on the island. It's very adventurous because supplies are very limited but that's what a trip to Shackleford Banks is all about.

Jordan Lake, Raleigh

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Popularity: Very busy.

Need To Know: A great lake for camping and water activities.

If freshwater is more of your thing then head to Jordan Lake. This wonderful and beautiful lake is beloved by many North Carolina residents for its easy access and variety of fun activities found in the area. The lake is situated very close to a few major cities so most people should have no problem visiting for a weekend getaway. If you are looking to camp then the area offers some massive campgrounds like Poplar Point Campground. There are many boat ramps for your vessel of choice and plenty of hiking trails for an adventurous trek around the water. Summer is all about relaxation around the calming lakes and this one is a great choice for a dreamy waterfront getaway.

French Broad River, Hot Springs

Location: Hot Springs, North Carolina

Popularity: Not very busy.

Need To Know: A lovely river in the mountainous west side of North Carolina.

The French Broad River winds through Tennessee and North Carolina so you will have plenty of places to enjoy this scenic river. The water is a peaceful place to paddle a kayak down or cast a line for a little bit of fishing. One of the best places to enjoy this body of water is in Hot Springs where you can find a multitude of activities in this glorious small town. Further downstream you will find the city of Ashville which also makes good use of the water with the French Broad River Greenway and a lazy river experience with French Broad Outfitters.

Parks To Visit In North Carolina This Summer

One of my favorite things to do with my family is to take a good old-fashioned road trip in North Carolina. There is something about getting away from home and hitting the road. The spark of life that comes to us as a family is undeniable and I am willing to bet many of your travelers out there feel the same way so why not enjoy the amazing nature all around us and hit up a few parks this summer?

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Location: Blue Ridge Parkway

Popularity: Not very busy.

Need To Know: There are many places for scenic overlooks and epic hikes.

The Blue Ridge Parkway may be the best park in the entire state, it's so big that it can’t even be contained inside the Tarheel State and spills into Virginia (Between you and me though, the North Carolina side is the best side). You can drive 469 miles through windy mountain roads from the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains to the start of Shenandoah. You can enjoy the drive in many different ways from a leisurely drive while taking in a couple of overlooks to having boots on the ground and hiking the peaks. The possibilities are nearly endless with waterfalls, mountaintop vistas, historic buildings, lakes, and tunnels to drive through. Hikes I would recommend would be the Craggy Pinnacle Trail, Crabtree Falls, and the Linville Falls area, but there are a plethora of hikes along the drive and I have loved everyone we have gone on.

Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach

Location: Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Popularity: Very busy.

Need To Know: There is no entrance fee to get into the park.

When it comes to romantic things to do in North Carolina in Summer nothing beats a sunset on the beach. My wife and I used to live right by the ocean and spent many nights watching the sky change into a stunning array of colors as the sun set. Similarly, we have also gotten up before it was light out to see the sun crest over the ocean and it just starts the day right. You can experience both of these beautiful occurrences at the Carolina Beach State Park. When the sun is high in the sky beaming down this is a great place to lounge around and sunbathe or build sand castles with your kids. The surrounding area is also filled with plenty of amazing activities for the whole family. Take a long walk on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, ride some rides at the amusement park, and don’t forget to pick up the coveted donuts at Britt’s Donuts.

Dupont State Recreational Forest, Cedar Mountain

Location: Cedar Mountain, North Carolina

Popularity: Ver Busy.

Need To Know: This area holds some incredible waterfalls and a lovely swimming area to cool off in the summer.

Dupont State Recreational Forest is one of the best places to see tons of waterfalls all in one small area. There are loop trails where you can see towering cascades like High Falls to summer swimming holes like Hooker Falls. The falls are all relatively easy to get to so expect a crowd on a good day but all the effort will be worth it when you are standing in awe of some of the best waterfalls in North Carolina. So if you are an avid waterfall chaser then this is the place for you this summer.

Best Free Summer Activities

Just because it’s the time of year when family vacations abound that doesn’t mean you have to dish out massive amounts of cash. There are plenty of free things to do in North Carolina in Summer. Getting outside is easy when you have so much natural beauty here in the South, so time to enjoy the great outdoors in a way that won’t break the bank. In fact, you can even leave your debit card at home.

Hiking

Location: All over North Carolina

Popularity: Hidden gem to very busy.

Need To Know: From the mountains to the coast there are tons of great hiking trails.

One of the best ways to really appreciate nature is to just get outside and take a walk. The slower pace allows you to see things you normally wouldn’t and hiking in North Carolina offers some of the best trails in the country. From chasing waterfalls and mountain peaks in the west to breathtakingly unique sand dune trails in the east, you undoubtedly have some incredible trails right in your own backyard (Or at least a short drive away). Gather your friends and family, download the AllTrails app, and then hit some trails this summer, trust me you won’t regret it.

Scenic Drives

Location: All over North Carolina

Popularity: Hidden gem to very busy.

Need To Know: From the Blueridge Parkway to backcountry roads there is alot of beautiful drives in North Carolina.

When it comes to scenic drives in North Carolina of course the Blue Ridge Parkway is the first thing that comes to mind, but there are many other scenic routes to take in the state. We have meandered through the mountains in the west and you just can’t go wrong no matter where you are, however, there are a few scenic roads you simply must take at some point in North Carolina. There are 62 designated scenic byways throughout the state and here are a couple of my favorites I would recommend, The Cherohala Skyway, the Waterfall Byway, and the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, just to name a few.

Small Towns

Location: All over North Carolina

Popularity: Hidden gem to very busy.

Need To Know: From mountain towns nestled into the foothills to cozy coastal charm there are plenty of lovely small towns in the Tar Heel State.

We all love a quaint little town where the people are all friendly and the place is void of busyness. There is an inherent draw to a place where you can slow things down, meet lovely people, and enjoy simple pleasures. Mountain town oases like Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, and Franklin give us that cozy high-altitude pleasure we long for while coastal towns like Southport and the fishing town of Manteo give us that Seabreeze freedom we love. Then no short list of great small towns in North Carolina wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Mount Airy. This is the Mayberry town made famous by the Andy Griffith Show and still retains that classic charm.

Best Summer Events And Festivals In North Carolina

North Carolina Summer activities offer a great way to pour into your local community and celebrate with your neighbor. Some of the festivals and events lean towards the silly side well others hold true to deep heritage roots that are important to remember.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Linville

Location: Linville, North Carolina

Popularity: Very busy.

Need To Know: A multi-day Scottish festival with strong roots in Appalachia.

I spoke with a long-time attendee of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and he said this is one festival he looks forward to all year long. Did you know that the Appalachian region has very deep roots and ties to Scotland? Scottish immigrants started settling in the western mountains and brought their sense of pride to their homeland so to this day you will see many of things that point back to those roots. The Highland Games takes those traditions and puts them on full display with many classic feats of strength, traditional music, and a massive community of like-minded people to the beautiful Grandfather Mountain. This is a multi-day festival so you will have plenty of time to get in on the fun but this is an event you don’t want to miss.

Black Bear Festival, Plymouth

Location: Plymouth, North Carolina

Popularity: Busy.

Need To Know: A celebration of North Carolina’s terrifying but also lovable black bear.

The Black Bear Festival in Plymouth is too irresistible to not mention. This festival doesn’t take itself too seriously so expect to see several silly references to bears that will for sure get you chuckling. This festival has won many awards for being one of the best events in the state so you can be assured that this festival is well worth the trip. The event is jam-packed with fun activities from live music, competitions, fireworks, great food, and so much more. Don’t forget to stop by Bear-Ology which is a black bear museum where admission is free during the festival. You will definitely want to make sure you make it out to this event, because the thought of missing it, is just something we can not bear.

North Carolina Blueberry Festival, Burgaw

Location: Burgaw, North Carolina

Popularity: Very busy.

Need To Know: A glorious festival to celebrate all things blueberry.

Blueberries have got to be my favorite round and blue-colored berry. These plumb and tasty treats give us much to celebrate and the good people in Burgaw would wholeheartedly agree. The North Carolina Blueberry Festival is an annual and highly anticipated family-friendly celebration. You can expect to taste bucket loads of juicy berries and try your hand at some delicious treats made with this wonderful fruit. Many live performances, vendors, and blueberry enthusiasts gather to have a great time at this event. Don’t forget to wear blue and join in all the festivities I know this year is going to be berry fun!

We have only begun to scratch the service when it comes to things to do in North Carolina in summer. But I hope this list inspires you to get outside and enjoy all of the wonderful natural attractions and events this year. If you do plan on going on a road trip make sure you have all of the right stuff with our expert road trip packing list. Then I would also suggest getting the AllTrails app if you plan on doing any hiking, it is a must-have for me every time I hit the trail. I hope y’all have a great summer and enjoy the beauty in North Carolina!