Just got back from spending a week in Oak Island, North Carolina. A friend of mine has a place there. It was my first time in the state. Very nice area, Southport has some great restaurants. We went to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach for a day. I was impressed. We drove down from CT and its amazing how much different the state is on the coast compared to inland.
I’m biased because I live here, but I feel like NC is often overlooked. Some of the best hiking/scenery/mountains on the East Coast and a solid coastline as well. Sprinkle in Charlotte and Raleigh as pretty livable cities and it’s a nice state. Some rural parts id stay out of, but lots to enjoy here.
As someone that travels to Asheville and the western part of the state pretty regularly, I’m seeing some Meh suggestions on this thread (not you) lol. I’d definitely recommend for anyone reading or the poster, Brevard hikes, like Johns Rock at the entrance to Pisgah or any hike in Pisgah really. Linville Gorge is beautiful, that’s a must see, just do your research before and know what you can handle distance wise when you pick a hike there. Lake James, Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain (highest point east of the Mississippi) many more great sites out that way. Asheville is awesome, worth spending time in the town for sure, so much great food in that town. Check out Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge in downtown Asheville for a great burger and head to Burial for some tasty brews. I’d skip the Biltmore if you’re on a time crunch tho, it’s cool, but there’s better stuff out there. Overall, just depends on the time you’ve got. But if you’re out that way, at least seeing the blue ridge parkway and Linville Gorge I think are absolute musts.
edit: Mount Mitchell is the highest, not Grandfather. Both are beautiful and worth seeinghowever.