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Whether it’s the beaches of the Coastal Plain; Piedmont, the plateau that extends from the Southeast to the Northeast; or the Appalachian Mountains; North Carolina has many desirable landscapes to...
- Raleigh & Durham, NC
This family-friendly city also has a children's museum,...
- Pictures of Asheville, NC
Browse None photos of Asheville, NC, city landmarks,...
- Pictures of Greensboro, NC
Browse None photos of Greensboro, NC, city landmarks,...
- Pictures of Charlotte, NC
Browse None photos of Charlotte, NC, city landmarks,...
- Pictures of Hickory, NC
Browse None photos of Hickory, NC, city landmarks,...
- Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem's population is relatively young, perhaps due...
- Raleigh & Durham, NC
Jun 5, 2024 · I’m a North Carolina local with first-hand insights into the best cities in North Carolina. This guide overviews what makes each city unique and who it’s best suited for — whether you’re a tourist seeking places to visit or planning to relocate.
- Cary
- Chapel Hill
- Charlotte
- Concord
- Durham
- Greensboro
- High Point
- Raleigh
- Winston-Salem
If many people are asked to name the third-largest city in the Research Triangle, they might respond with “Chapel Hill” instead of Cary. The town’s population has quickly grown since the 1970s, which was then around 8,000. As of the last estimate, Cary houses about 170,000 people and is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the US. And even ...
Chapel Hill is smaller than its Research Triangle counterparts Raleigh, Cary, and Durham, but it’s still full of fun stuff to do. I mean, you have to keep all those students at UNC happy somehow, right? Franklin Street goes above and beyond to help, with wonderful restaurants like Crooks Corner and Top of the Hill. And don’t forget about the awesom...
Of all the cities in North Carolina, Charlotte is the largest and home to the biggest airport. For many reasons, we think it’s the perfect spot for you to spend a weekend. Throughout the city, there are some interesting neighborhoods filled with awesome restaurants, breweries, museums, and more. There are also tons of lighter food options, as we co...
Concord is next door to Queen City and one of many spots that we included in our guide to day trips from Charlotte. For starters, it’s known as the home of Charlotte Motor Speedway and zMax Dragway. People come from all over to catch races throughout most of the year. Great Wolf Lodge Water Parkand SEA LIFE are also here, making this Cabarrus Count...
Durham is perfect for walks around Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Durham’s historic downtown. You can easily enjoy the outdoorshere but there are some pretty fun things to do inside. Durham’s Museum of Life and Science does a great job of combining both in ways we love. You can also chill out with a beer or two at Fullsteam (or at these awesome brewerie...
Greensboro is a busy destination for conventions. There’s also the beautiful Carolina Theatrethat you should check out for a show or just to stare at from the outside. However, even the most business-centric travelers have some pretty fun things to do in the city. Outdoor options include the Bog Garden and Bur-Mil Park. If the weather doesn’t coope...
High Point is known as the “Furniture Capital of the World” and there are some interesting places to explore there. If you visit from mid-April to October, check out All-A-Flutter Farm, you can see a real working butterfly farm in person! For day trip options, I’d recommend traveling to nearby Hanging Rock State Park. It’s beautiful from the top! R...
Seasonal Fun
Raleigh is filled with things to do for everyone, especially with kids! For starters, the city’s great museums and restaurants pair nicely, especially for a date night, and definitely for an entire weekend. If you’re in the area during the summer, a section of Dorothea Dix Park transforms into one of the state’s most beautiful sunflower fields. We interviewed Kate Pearce from Dix Parkto learn more about its past, present, and future, too! During fall, the NC State Fairis the biggest event in...
Year-Round Things to Do in Raleigh
Throughout the year, we love getting outside at spots like Umstead State Park and the parks that surround Shelley Lake and Lake Johnson. Many of these fun activities feature in our guide to free things to do in Raleigh, too! Eating at Ashley Christensen’s Beasley’s Chicken + Honey is another reason why Raleigh is one of the best cities in North Carolina. Here, you’ll be eating food designed by the best chef in the US. Raleigh also has an awesome brew scene that you can understand better throu...
Winston-Salem is was once two separate cities in North Carolina (hence the hyphen) and the largest in North Carolina. Many folks visit Old Salem first for a look at early America, the Moravians, some pretty delicious food, and more! Old Salem, along with Reynolda House, and two of our favorite museums in Winston-Salem. Before deciding to live here,...
May 30, 2024 · Best cities to move to in North Carolina. We compared 22 North Carolina cities across 17 metrics to rank their livability, health and safety, jobs and economy, and housing. Metrics included...
- Cary. Suburb of Raleigh, NC. Rating 4.21 out of 5 518 reviews. Current Resident: I absolutely love Cary, North Carolina.
- Morrisville. Suburb of Raleigh, NC. Rating 4.28 out of 5 81 reviews. Current Resident: Morrisville is great place to live.
- Dilworth. Neighborhood in Charlotte, NC. Rating 5 out of 5 2 reviews. Current Resident: Absolutely love this community.
- Davidson. Suburb of Charlotte, NC. Rating 4.47 out of 5 38 reviews. Current Resident: Davidson is such a nice place to live.
For this list of the best places to live in North Carolina I’ve ranked cities based on a number of criteria and included important statistics for each including: Population; Median Age; Median Home Price; Median Income; Cost of Living; Unemployment Rate; City Walkability; Rainfall; Sunshine; Ready to get started? Let go!
People also ask
Why are North Carolina's largest cities ranked lower than suburbs?
Where are Carolina's top ranked cities?
Is Wilmington NC a good place to live?
Is Charlotte NC a good place to live?
Oct 28, 2023 · Wilmington is a best city in North Carolina. Wilmington, located along the Cape Fear River on the Atlantic Coast, is a compelling choice for those looking to move. The port city is a gateway to area beaches, and its historic downtown district is teeming with restaurants and shops.
