22.  Brave The Rapids And Go Whitewater Rafting

If the U.S. National Whitewater Center wasn’t enough for you, try testing your whitewater rafting skills on some real rivers. There are numerous outfitters headquartered in the Asheville area so it’s easy. Perhaps the most popular and therefore the busiest river is the dam-controlled Nantahala River. There’s also the French Broad River which is heavily impacted by recent rainfall. You can even try the Nolichucky River, which starts in North Carolina but ends in Tennessee. 

23.  Soak Up The Sun At Wrightsville Beach

This town, east of Wilmington, offers travelers the quintessential beach holiday. Here you can go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, surfing, and wakeboarding. If you’re feeling less athletic, climb aboard a boat. Sailing cruises at sunset are especially popular. If you’re a landlubber, you can go biking, running, and walking. Other highlights include the Banks Channel, the salt marshes, and the 10-acre Airlie Gardens complete with a 500-year-old oak tree.