If you are like me, when you think about North Carolina the first thing that comes to mind is really great college basketball. Even though the basketball may be great there are many other things about North Carolina that make it a wonderful destination for the modern traveller.

From world class beaches to lakes filled with bass, the geography of North Carolina creates a playground unlike any other in the country. However, NASCAR rules the roost in much of North Carolina. The area around Charlotte is the home to most of the major players in the NASCAR world. Kannapolis is proud to call itself the home of the late, great Dale Earnhardt. If golf is your game then North Carolina is the place for you. Pinehurst is a world renowned resort that golfers aspire to visit at least one in their lifetime. The mild weather of North carolina also makes the links accessible year round.

A baseball fan may not be able to find any major league games in North Carolina, but minor league teams abound. If you like baseball and want to be able see the game up close and personal there is nothing like going to a great little stadium and being able to hear the action as good as you can see it. Take the time to visit the roots of America’s game when you come to North Carolina.

For those that have other things on their mind besides sports, North Carolina does not disappoint. If you're looking to spruce up your home, you may want to stop by either Hickory or High Point. They are home to some of the finest furniture makers in the country. Yet North Carolina's down home cooking may be what leaves the largest impression in your mind. You'll never leave a restaurant hungry with all of your favorite comfort foods served in generous portions just about anywhere you go.

If you are a nature enthusiast, a day or two spent in the Great Smokies is a must. You can hike the Appalachian trail or if you're feeling less adventurous that day a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge parkway might be ideal. When you get to the coast you'll find a chain of barrier islands known as the outer banks with stretches of protected and developed shoreline. Pictures of houses on stilts, sand dunes, and the Atlantic Ocean make great scrapbook material.

The incredible growth of North Carolina can be linked to the power of the Research Triangle. Formed by the concentration of universities around Raleigh and Durham North Carolina the research triangle is an incubator of high tech industry and research. Look to this part of North Carolina to continue its fantastic growth and innovation for many years to come.

History abounds in North Carolina. The location of the first English settlement in North America may hve been lost in time, but it is known to be in North Carolina. Battlefields from the American Revolution and the Civil War can be found across the state. The site that a modern American should visit is Kitty Hawk located on the Outer banks. The home of flight is an opportunity to imagine the courage and determination of the Wright brothers as they made the world so much more accessible.

North Carolina is also home to Fort Bragg, near Fayetteville; the largest and most comprehensive military base in the United States and the headquarters of the XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. North Carolina is also home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune which, when combined with nearby Marine bases MCAS Cherry Point, Camp Geiger, Camp Johnson, Stone Bay and Courthouse Bay, makes up the largest concentration of Marines in the world.

Whatever brings you to North Carolina, make certain to take advantage of the powerful serach and booking capabilities presented to you by Golden Hare Travel. You'll save time and money when you plan your trip with us.