Here are 10 Things North Carolina is Known For

Visitors often ask why so many people choose to live in NC. To locals, the reasons are plentiful and obvious. Here is a majorly condensed list of 10 answers to the often asked question: what is North Carolina known for?

1. The BBQ is Insanely Good!

If there is one thing North Carolina is known for, then it is definitely barbeque. There is nothing like North Carolina barbeque. It’s so important to North Carolina that it has even caused political debates between which local style is better: Lexington style or Eastern style.

Lexington style is also known as the Piedmont style. It consists of a red sauce made from tomatoes, vinegar, and different red peppers as well as other spices. It is most popular in the western part of North Carolina. Lexington style only uses pork shoulders and no other part of the hog.

Eastern style is a whole-hog approach, where every part of the hog is cooked and used. There are both vinegar and peppers in its base but absolutely no tomatoes.

Which North Carolina barbeque style suits your taste buds?

2. The University Rivalry is Unbelievably Entertaining

North Carolinians take their college sports very seriously. The two championship-winning teams are the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Tar Heels and the Duke University Blue Devils. This rivalry is so huge that it has been featured on national sports television as well as Sports Illustrated Magazine.

3. You Never Have to Venture Out of the State for a Vacation

North Carolina has beautiful expansive beaches as well as mild tides. The beaches are the perfect summer getaway for the whole family because the water is clean and the sand is soft. Some of the country’s best beaches are also here in North Carolina. You’ll find Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Bald Head Island, Emerald Isle, Wrightsville Beach, and Nags Head just to name a few.

4. There’s No Need to Travel for the Holidays

Because all of your friends and family will be wanting to travel to you. Everyone finds North Carolina to be absolutely beautiful during the holidays.

5. The Southern Hospitality

If one stereotype of the south is correct, it is about the warm southern hospitality. You’ll always find the locals to be generous with their time and also helpful in answering any questions. North Carolinians also love to talk and are friendly to whomever they encounter.

6. There Are Numerous Activities for People of All Ages and Abilities

Surfing, biking, hiking, wine tasting, you name it, North Carolina offers the best of it. There is no discrimination here. Everyone’s interests are included and catered to.

7. The State Has the Best Line of Shopping at the Malls and Outlets

North Carolina also doesn’t fall behind the trends. Not even by a mile. You’ll find every high-end clothing brand at various popular shopping malls. Some of these malls include SouthPark in Charlotte, Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, and Streets and Southpoint in Durham among many others.

8. The Nationally Ranked Universities and k-12 Schools

North Carolina harbors some of the nation’s best universities. Not only are their sports teams great, but their academics are also. Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill are among the best universities.

9. The Breathtaking Scenery

Lush forests, mountains, and waterfalls dominate the North Carolina landscapes. There is no better place to experience all four seasons than in the North Carolina wilderness. Not only are the forests beautiful, but the North Carolina beaches are beyond compare.

10. It is a Beer Lover’s Paradise

One might be inclined to think that a beer lover’s paradise would be somewhere in the mid-west. While that’s a good guess, it’s just not quite accurate. In reality, the best place for such a person is the state of North Carolina. There are over 175 breweries as well as the largest beer garden in the whole world! That’s right, North Carolina is also the best state for those who love beer.