Vacation Fun In North Carolina

As I've mentioned before, I grew up in North Carolina. While I do not get to go back home as often as I would like, I can still attest to the fun a North Carolina vacation can provide. Here are but a few of the many attractions you can find in my home state!

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher- While it is called an 'aquarium', Fort Fisher features more animals than just fish. One thing I found particularly interesting was the albino alligator! The one they have is a female named Luna, who is one of only 44 albino alligators in the world. When we met her, she was very quiet but seemed to enjoy the attention she was getting. They have several daily tours, along with programs and summer camps. You can even book a birthday or slumber party! Imagine how much fun you and your kids would have sleeping in front of the huge tanks of jellyfish and manatees! Speaking of jellyfish, the picture attached to this post is one I took at the aquarium in 2009. You can find more information and book your visit at http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.

We're in the movies! Another thing a lot of people find interesting about North Carolina is that a lot of movies and television shows have been filmed here. Dawson's Creek, a popular teen drama, was filmed mostly in Wilmington, with UNC-Wilmington's campus used for the school shots. One Tree Hill, another popular teen drama, is also filmed in Wilmington. Weekend at Bernie's was filmed partially in the coastal towns of Wrightsville Beach and Kure Beach, with some scenes filmed on Bald Head Island. Some more movies that were completely or partially filmed in North Carolina are Patch Adams, The Fugitive, and Last of the Mohicans. For those interested in seeing how television shows are made, the Screen Gems studio offers walking tours every Saturday afternoon. You can find more information at http://www.screengemsstudios.com/nc/.

Mountains. If you prefer mountains over the beach, The Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most famous national parks. It features Grotto Falls, a gorgeous 25-foot waterfall that you can hike behind and see from the back. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, one of America's largest homes, offers tours as well as a popular winery, concerts and fun little shops. The town of Boone features Linville Caverns, a set of privately-owned caves open for exploration. You can find more information at http://www.westernncattractions.com/.

Carowinds. For those who like amusement parks, Charlotte offers Carowinds. Since it sits on the border of North and South Carolina, you can walk back and forth between the two states without having to leave the park. It also offers thrill rides such as the Drop Tower and Scream Weaver. Around Halloween, 'Scarowinds' features various types of haunted houses, mazes and shows that are not for the faint of heart! Their website is http://www.carowinds.com for more information and ticket prices.

For more information, the official site for travel and tourism in North Carolina is http://www.visitnc.com. Have a great trip!