Off-the-beaten-path attractions in North Carolina

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by babygirl62477

I am heading to nc in 2 weeks and was going to be heading to hiddenite gem mines is there any other suggestions of for that type of thing? What about gold panning for the public? Any other type of outdoors activities besides the waterfalls, and hiking trails like zipline tours or anything? Also good suggestions on hotels in the area?

Yes, is Hiddendite (Hickory NC area) only area you visiting by the way there is covered bridge near there.
Yes there is zip lines, snowtubing skiing, Linville Caverns, Wineries, hiking.

T

[theoldnorthstate]

check any of the Uhwarrie sites, any of the state and county parks, historical and national parks, Kings Mountain. You can do any of those staying in the Piedmont. You could go to Guilford Courthouse or Cowpens (just across the SC line) to see some Revolutionary War battlefields.

There are lots of things to do without having to go to Western NC. But if you have time, there are so many places to go in the mountain environment.

My son lives in Charlotte and loves to take the family to Uhwarrie, the geology of how it 'evolved' intriques him and it is nice hiking for the kids. Also canoeing.

Find a town that interests you near your area and check out its webpage. More than likely it will list nearby attractions and historical sites.

There are numerous places to go gem mining and not just in the mountains. Emeralds and Hiddenite in the piedmont for sure.

enjoy

[HP91]

Not cave related, but Merchants Millpond in Gates Co, Lake Mattamuskeet Lodge in Hyde Co, and Moores Creek National Battlefield in Pender Co. All 3 are very interesting and unique places.

[netbrad]

These aren't technically buildings but:

Lucama, NC - Vollis Simpson's Whirligigs

However they are apparently in the process of moving them:
Wilson, North Carolina Tourism - Whirligigs!