Cities that sizzle

Although North Carolina is renowned for its dramatic countryside and glorious scenery, its modern, cosmopolitan City Life should not be overlooked. Its cities sizzle with culture, sports and outstanding retail therapy.

Most of the main cities are situated in the piedmont area, an ideal base for venturing out into the other areas of the state.

Discovering a city is great fun, but it’s just as important to have a comfortable base where you can put your feet up. North Carolina’s accommodation facilities cater for all, no matter what their budget.

4-star, 3-star and B&B accommodation are all available throughout the state. Don’t look down on the cute B&B’s, though, as they tend to be high-calibre guesthouses that feel, as they say, like a ‘home away from home’.

As the main gateways are in the piedmont area, you’ll have easy access to other areas once you’ve explored the cities. It is best to fly into Charlotte Douglas International Airport on US Airways daily flight from London Gatwick if you want to visit the mountain area and into Raleigh/Durham International Airport on American Airlines daily flight from London Gatwick if you prefer to explore the coast.

Remarkable Raleigh

Raleigh, the state capital, has been dubbed the ‘Smithsonian of the South’ due to its 20 free attractions and outstanding museums – including the North Carolina Museum of Art (right).

Turn globetrotter and time-traveller at Exploris and IMAX theater, an interactive museum about the world. Here, guests will find the southeast’s largest natural history museum and a great collection of European art. Prices begin at $5.

With over eight venue choices available, there are 5,000 seats in which to watch quality performances from Broadway Series South, Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Theatre, Opera Company of North Carolinas and many others.

If shopping is more your thing, Raleigh has seven major retail areas and numerous shopping centres all within a 20-mile radius – including Cameron Village, Triangle Town Center and Crabtree Valley.

Delightful Durham

The booming city of Durham attracts visitors from far and wide and is famed for its wealth and the beautiful campus of Duke University (left). It owes many of its world-class facilities to the generosity of the Duke family, which made its fortune from tobacco.

Tour the university grounds and gardens and take in the grandeur of its architecture and setting. Here you will see the neo-gothic Duke University Chapel with its spectacular 5,200-pipe museum, its 210-foot tower and its intricate stained glass window.

The nearby 55-acre Sarah P Duke Gardens is definitely worth a visit. With over 2,000 plants and five miles of walks, bridges, lawns, courts, ponds, waterfalls and pavilions, it’s a quiet and romantic setting with plenty of space to find the perfect picnic spot, read a book under a tree or simply people-watch with a loved one. Pure bliss!

City slicking in Charlotte

Charlotte (right) is the state’s largest city and attracts nearly three million visitors a year. Home to great museums, thriving art venues, top-quality concert halls, outstanding scientific centers and superb historical attractions, it’s a ‘must-see’ destination.

US Airways offer direct flights from the UK, so it’s possible to just drop in for a long weekend’s shopping! Whether you are going after designer labels or just bargain-hunting, Charlotte has it all: malls, outlet stores, boutiques and outdoor markets.

Shopping can be tiring, so why not relax and get a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, cafes and bars. Listed as one of the ‘Top 50 Cities that Sizzle’, Charlotte offers a wide range of places to dine, serving up an eclectic range of dishes from local delicacies to a range of international cuisine.

After a day of shopping and eating, why not complete the all-American experience by paying a visit to one of the city’s many top professional sports teams.

The latest arrival on court is NBA basketball team the Charlotte Bobcats. Or, for a more bruising encounter, try the National Football League’s Carolina Panthers at the Bank of America Stadium (see top of page).

Ice hockey fans should check out the Charlotte Checkers, while for high-octane thrills there’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway (left).

To round off the evening, North Carolina also boasts rocking music venues, lively dance clubs, intimate wine bars and stimulating coffee houses offering great atmospheric surroundings for a lively or a quiet evening.

Just a 10-minute drive south of Charlotte is Paramount’s Carowinds. This 180-acre adventure park offers the entire family the ultimate day out, with the most hair-raising roller-coasters, the wettest water rides and the most sizzling stage shows. Price start from $36.99 for adults.  Group tickets are available at discounted prices.

The Triad

The cities of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point sit along the mountains to form the Triad Area.

Winston-Salem has deservedly been dubbed “City of the Arts”. The city’s founding fathers had a strong appreciation of the arts and instilled a love of creativity and craftsmanship into the generations that followed.

Here, discover fine crafts at the Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery, visit museums steeped in Americana and experience more than 20 festivals, including the biennial National Black Theatre Festival and the River Run International Film Festival.

Discover the Reynolds legacy at Reynolda House – the estate, its art collections and its gardens are well worth a visit.

Then get a glimpse of the treasures at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) and the amazing new Old Salem Toy Museum.

The city of Greensboro has heaps of history and unique public gardens, while High Point is the home furnishings capital of the world, with a “Magic Mile” of more than 70 retail furniture outlets.

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All images are courtesy of North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. Bill Russ, Photographer