Why North Carolina is the destination for history, hikes and food - Lonely Planet

From the towering peaks to the west to the sandy shores of the protected coastline, North Carolina is home to a variety of experiences.The state is where the Wright Brothers famously made their first flight and where a little soda brand called Pepsi gained international recognition. It’s also where musicians like Earl Scruggs, Nina Simone and John Coltrane were born. Driving from one end to the other is straightforward and the state has extensive airport and rail networks.Celebrate the Gilded Age in AshevilleStart your Asheville sojourn at the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in America. Built in the style of a French chateau for the Vanderbilt family, the Gilded Age mansion has onsite restaurants, inns and even a winery.The Civilian Conservation Corps-built Blue Ridge Parkway traverses nearly 500 miles of undisturbed vistas between North Carolina and Virginia. Detour from the parkway to Pisgah National Forest, home to the area’s most popular hiking area and Mt. Mitche...