Leggett North CarolinaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Leggett, North Carolina.
1. Leggett Cemetery
HISTORIC FINAL RESTING PLACE
Leggett Cemetery is a public cemetery located on Leggett Road in Fairmont, North Carolina. The cemetery serves as a historical landmark in the area, preserving local heritage and family history. Visitors can explore the grounds to appreciate the historical significance and pay respects to those interred there.
2. Grandfather Mountain
MILE HIGH SWINGING BRIDGE
Grandfather Mountain offers hiking experiences ranging from leisurely trails with picturesque views to challenging treks with ladders and expansive mountainous panoramas. The Mile High Swinging Bridge, in place since 1952, serves as the park's highlight with its impressive 360-degree views. Visitors can learn about local flora and possibly catch glimpses of wildlife throughout the natural attraction.
3. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
COSMIC EDUCATION HUB
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, located at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, has welcomed over 10 million visitors since opening in 1949. The center underwent a $9 million renovation in 2020, transforming its public spaces into interactive museum experiences for all ages. Visitors can enjoy various planetarium shows covering educational topics like black holes, the human brain, and astronauts, while also exploring exhibits on the facility's proud history as a training center for astronauts.
4. Biltmore Estate
AMERICA'S LARGEST HOME
Biltmore Estate in downtown Asheville is America's largest privately-owned home, built by George Vanderbilt in the late 19th century. The 250-room French Renaissance chateau sits on 8,000 acres of meticulously maintained gardens and grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Visitors can tour the magnificent mansion, explore the extensive gardens, visit the winery, and enjoy various seasonal events and exhibitions.
5. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
ICONIC COASTAL BEACON
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in North America, standing at 210 feet tall with distinctive black and white spiral markings. The lighthouse offers visitors the opportunity to climb to the top for breathtaking panoramic views of the Outer Banks and Atlantic Ocean. The surrounding museum provides educational exhibits about the lighthouse's history and its importance to maritime navigation along the treacherous North Carolina coast.
6. Wilmington Riverwalk
SCENIC WATERFRONT PROMENADE
The Wilmington Riverwalk is a charming boardwalk that stretches along the Cape Fear River in historic downtown Wilmington. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll while exploring a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions along the picturesque waterfront. The area regularly hosts events and festivals, making it a vibrant center of activity for both locals and tourists.
7. Colonial Quarter
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
The Colonial Quarter in New Bern offers visitors an immersive step back in time to North Carolina's colonial period. This living history museum features artisans practicing traditional crafts like joinery, gunsmithing, and woodworking using authentic period methods. Guests can interact with knowledgeable interpreters who demonstrate daily life in colonial North Carolina through hands-on exhibits and educational programming.
8. Bodie Island Lighthouse
HISTORIC COASTAL LANDMARK
Bodie Island Lighthouse is a historic 156-foot tall black and white horizontally striped lighthouse located near Nags Head on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Visitors can climb the lighthouse for spectacular views or explore the surrounding grounds via boardwalks that offer opportunities for bird watching and nature photography. The beautifully maintained site includes an informative visitor center housed in the former keeper's quarters.
9. Bank of America Stadium
HOME OF THE PANTHERS
Bank of America Stadium is a 75,000-seat open-air stadium located in Charlotte's Third Ward neighborhood. Home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC soccer club, the stadium hosts professional sporting events, concerts, and other large-scale entertainment throughout the year. Visitors praise the venue for its professional staff, helpful customer service, and excellent facilities.
10. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
FIRST ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site preserves the location of Roanoke Colony, the first English settlement attempt in North America that became known as the "Lost Colony." The site features interpretive exhibits, archaeological remains, and a visitor center that tells the story of the colonists who mysteriously disappeared in the late 16th century. Adjacent Elizabethan Gardens offer visitors beautiful formal gardens designed as a living memorial to the lost colonists.
11. Frisco Native American Museum
INDIGENOUS CULTURE SHOWCASE
The Frisco Native American Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of indigenous peoples through extensive artifact collections and educational exhibits. Located on the Outer Banks, this intimate museum features both indoor galleries and outdoor nature trails that highlight native plants and their traditional uses. Visitors can explore displays of pottery, tools, weapons, and artwork representing tribes from across North America, with special emphasis on the indigenous peoples of the Carolina region.
12. Banner Elk Winery
HIGH COUNTRY WINE EXPERIENCE
Banner Elk Winery offers visitors a premier wine tasting experience in North Carolina's scenic High Country region near Grandfather Mountain. The award-winning winery produces a variety of wines from their vineyard, which sits at an elevation of 4,300 feet, creating unique growing conditions for their grapes. Guests can enjoy tastings in the rustic-elegant tasting room, take tours of the production facilities, or relax on the patio with mountain views.
13. Blowing Rock
CHARMING MOUNTAIN TOWN
Blowing Rock is a picturesque mountain town featuring a charming Main Street lined with unique shops, galleries, and restaurants. The town takes its name from a nearby rock formation where winds blow upward from the Johns River Gorge, creating the phenomenon of light objects tossed over the edge returning upward. Visitors can enjoy the quaint downtown area, explore the actual Blowing Rock formation, or use the town as a base for exploring the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
14. Skyline Trail
GUIDED NATURE HIKES
The Skyline Trail offers guided hiking experiences led by knowledgeable naturalists in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Hikers can learn about local ecology, geology, and wildlife while enjoying spectacular mountain views and fresh air. The trail system provides options for various difficulty levels, making it accessible to both casual walkers and experienced hikers.
15. Historic Dilworth District
CHARMING HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD
Historic Dilworth is Charlotte's first streetcar suburb, known for its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and charming commercial areas. The district features a mix of architectural styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Colonial Revival, Victorian, and Craftsman bungalows. Visitors can enjoy shopping at local boutiques, dining at numerous restaurants with outdoor patios, and strolling through the historic neighborhood to admire its preserved character.