All United States North Carolina

The Atlas Obscura Guide To North Carolina

195 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in North Carolina

Updated November 4, 2024

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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Asheville
  2. Beaufort
  3. Brevard
  4. Bryson City
  5. Burnsville
  6. Charlotte
  7. Cherokee
  8. Corolla
  9. Durham
  10. Greensboro
  11. Hatteras
  12. Hendersonville
  13. High Point
  14. Hillsborough
  15. Hot Springs
  16. Maggie Valley
  17. Manteo
  18. Morrisville
  19. Mount Airy
  20. New Bern
  21. Ocracoke
  22. Raleigh
  23. Sanford
  24. Supply
  25. Sylva
  26. Wilmington
  27. Winston Salem

Unusual Attractions in North Carolina

See All 195 Things To Do in North Carolina

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in North Carolina

See all 10 Places to Eat in North Carolina
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Secret History & Hidden Wonders of Charlotte, North Carolina

Sponsored by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

At the heart of the south, Charlotte is a booming city full of new life. Cranes have dotted the skyline for more than a decade as it has become the most populous city in North Carolina. There is so much to see in Charlotte, from a rose garden hidden just outside the city center to a retro video rental store with over 30,000 titles. What many newcomers don’t know is Charlotte’s deep-rooted history that dates back to before the colonies became the United States. This list of 10 destinations will only scratch the surface of the many special places to visit in the Queen City.

View Itinerary

Explore North Carolina

Museums 22
History 17
Architecture 15
Houses 12
Monuments 11
Homes 11
Art 11
Animals 10

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Recent North Carolina Activity

Stories About North Carolina

View from the overlook on Kuwohi of the mountain peaks and ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Tallest of the Great Smoky Mountains Is—Officially—Kuwohi

The return of the indigenous name of Tennessee's highest point has meaning beyond what's on a map.
by Seth T. Kannarr and Derek H. Alderman

Who Were the Mysterious Moon-Eyed People of Appalachia?

Tales of strange, nocturnal people haunt the region—and so do theories about who they were, from a lost Welsh "tribe" to aliens.
by Hadley Meares
A school of grunts on a sunken World War II German submarine in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina.

From Shark 'Rest Stops' to Living Reefs, Shipwrecks Teem With Life

When vessels such as the WWII tanker E.M. Clark sink, they begin a second life as habitat for a diverse ecosystem.
by Avery Paxton
After a 1906 killing, a half-century battle followed.

A Murderous Gravestone Grudge Carved a New Law Into Stone

When murder won’t rest in peace.
by Max Longley
An aerial view of the Biltmore’s grounds and gardens.

10 Reasons to Visit Asheville During the Week

Savoring the city’s cultural and culinary offerings with more room to explore.
Sponsored by Explore Asheville

Podcast: The Fugitive Train Wreck

Near the remains of a famed movie scene, an older, true story of injustice.
by The Podcast Team

What’s Inside the New Gastro Obscura Vending Machine?

The second iteration is filled with rare and unexpected treats from the American South.
Sponsored by Partners of Travel South
The beach at Hatteras.

Podcast: Shipwrecked Doritos

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team

Lists Featuring North Carolina

Rats of Karni Mata Temple
Paxton Gate Exterior
Albino Squirrels of Olney, Illinois

A Rat Lover's Tour of the World

15 places where rodents are celebrated, feared, preserved, and studied.

15

Including Karni Mata Temple, Nutty Narrows Bridge, and Paxton Gate

Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.
A sculpture of the Tower of Babel, by Alan Baughman, from the Introductory Room of the Museum of the Alphabet
Boontling word of the week in the tap room of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

A Linguistics Lover's Tour of the World

12 places to marvel at the history of human language.

12

Including The Cairo Genizah , The Museum of the Alphabet , and Boontling Language of Boonville

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