Find Vacation Rentals You'll Love, Then Bookmark This Page for Info on North Carolina

North Carolina's has so much to offer travelers--from the rugged and rustic Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains in the west to sand and surf of the coastal Outer Banks, there's literally something for everyone in this diverse state. You'll easily find plenty to do and see, virtually by walking out of the front door of your vacation rental. But to help decide where to stay, here are a few highlights from around the state.

If the mountains and woods, camping and fishing, outdoor activities like hiking and skiing are your idea of a good time, then the western part of North Carolina is for you. Great Smoky Mountain National Park--the most visited National Park in the United States--is part of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain nestled in western North Carolina. The name "Smokies" comes from a fog that hangs over the range, giving the illusion that a cloud of smoke hangs over the range. The Blue Ridge Mountains also feature the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a 469 mile scenic highway that connects Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The Blue Ridge Mountains get their name from a bluish color they have when viewed from a distance. While these areas appeal to the outdoorsy type, there are still plenty of indoor activities, such as shopping, museums

Coastal North Carolina features everything you'd want in a beach--beautiful sand and warm waters. You'll find 300 miles of beautiful and ecologically fragile barrier islands, complete with an abundance of vacation homes, lighthouses, and quaint coastal towns ready to welcome you. There's plenty of water activities, and plenty of time to just hang out by the beach. Any of the three regions -- the Outer Banks, Central Coast or Southern Coast -- offer a wealth of sand, surf and fun, all year round.