4.5Biltmore(27.4k reviews) - Not Just a Mansion; It's an Immense Estate with Something for Everyone Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • History Museums
This historic country estate in Asheville spans 8,000 acres and is centered on America's largest private home, the Biltmore House. Besides touring the lavish Châteauesque-style mansion and admiring its architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens, you can also book a stay at the estate's hotel, inn or cottages. Start the morning with a massage at the estate’s spa, go shopping at Antler Hill Village, tackle a hiking trail, and wind down with a meal and a glass of red at the restaurant and winery. If you’re visiting during the holiday season, the Candlelight Christmas tour is one of Biltmore’s must-dos. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Wright Brothers National Memorial(4.361 reviews) - Beautiful day for a walk in history Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • History Museums
Park where visitors can see a replica of the Wright Brothers' plane and receive an entertaining history of flight.See more..
The Southeast's largest natural history museum features dinosaurs, whale skeletons, live animals, walk-through dioramas, special exhibits, hands-on science education and accessible scientists. IMLS National Medal Finalist, 2014.See more..
4.5Marbles Kids Museum(1.112 reviews) - What a great find! Science Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums
Marbles Kids Museum is a hands-on, interactive destination that inspires children to be creative thinkers, active learners and confident individuals in today's world. With five galleries and two outdoor escapes, there is no shortage of activity for kids birth to 12 and their families. The campus also features the Wachovia IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum. This 267-seat giant-screen experience is the only 3D capable IMAX theatre in North Carolina.See more..
4.5North Carolina History Center - Tryon Palace(942 reviews) - Nice reconstruction, But the Highlight is the Gardening Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • History Museums
Colonial Governors ruled, legislators debated, patriots gathered and George Washington danced. At Tryon Palace, where British rule once flourished, American independence took root and the state of North Carolina was born. Here you can still experience the adventure of North Carolina’s earliest beginnings and a living history like no other. Guided tours, live re-enactments and conversations with costumed interpreters from centuries past bring history to life in vivid detail at the Governor’s Palace, Gardens and Historic Homes. And, at the new high-tech North Carolina History Center, interactive games and hands-on exhibits delight visitors young and old. Whether you’re exploring one of our riverside gardens or sharpening your skills as a quilter, printer, ship’s captain or blacksmith, there are endless opportunities for making cherished family memories at Tryon Palace.See more..
4.5Greensboro History Museum(260 reviews) - Will be Back! Sunday: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • History Museums
The Greensboro History Museum – an AAM-accredited Smithsonian Affiliate – is a division of the City of Greensboro Library Department and operates as a public-private partnership with the nonprofit GHM Inc. In partnership with the community, the Greensboro History Museum collects the city's diverse history and connects people to that history and one another through engaging exhibits, educational programs and community dialogue.See more..
4.0Latta Place Historic Site(209 reviews) - It’s a House - plantation house. Sunday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Farms • History Museums
This plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.See more..
4.5Ava Gardner Museum(180 reviews) - Ava Gardner’s Whole Life Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
The Ava Gardner Museum, one of North Carolina’s most remarkable attractions, honors the life, loves, and legacy of Ava Gardner, who was born and raised in Johnston County. She became one of Hollywood’s most glamorous leading ladies and visitors to the museum enjoy an introductory film on her life, 16 permanent exhibits from her humble beginnings, her discovery story, a variety of movie posters, movie memorabilia, personal clothing and movie costumes and much more. New exhibits are rotated in the museum on an annual basis to continue to share Ava's incredible story and share with the world "the real Ava", who was down to earth, loving, direct and very approachable for one of Hollywood's most famous stars from the Golden Era. Visit the museum in Historic Downtown Smithfield any time, or make special plans to attend the Ava Gardner Festival held in October each year.See more..
4.5Körner's Folly(158 reviews) - Interesting and unique home Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • History Museums
Korner's Folly is the architectural wonder and home of artist and designer Jule Korner. Built in 1880 in Kernersville, North Carolina, the house originally displayed his interior design portfolio. Visitors can now explore the 22 room house museum and its unique original furnishings and artwork, cast-plaster details, carved woodwork, and elaborate hand-laid tile.See more..
I was pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness and organization of this museum. There are several collections covering the history of the area, living as an indigenous person, as a settler, as a farmer growing tobacco, railroad history and a variety of child friendly exhibits, too. Lots of reading, but everything was well thought out. And the upstairs exhibits on Donna Fargo and other local celebs were tasteful and interesting. The museum currently has a baby dinosaur exhibit on loan that was very interesting. Don't miss the collection of 1700 toy cars. That was my favorite part. I loved matchbox cars as a child and this was matchbox and way more. See more..
4.5Historic Rosedale(90 reviews) - Charming - A peak into history Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • History Museums
Built in 1815, Historic Rosedale is a Federal style home surrounded by 9 acres of spectacular gardens and lush green space located just 3 miles north of Charlotte City Centre. Guided tours of the historic house are available every Friday 11:30am, and 1:00pm, and the last Saturday of the month at 11:30am and 1:00pm. Self-guided grounds only tours are available Wednesday - Friday from 10:00am to 2:30pm, (garden tours only does not include admission to historic house).See more..
The Hickory Aviation Museum located at the Hickory Regional Airport(HKY) in Hickory North Carolina. We are a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Tax Exempt Organization. We are dedicated to maintaining the facts and artifacts of the Golden Age of Aviation. The Museum provides a unique opportunity for all generations to learn and appreciate aviation history. Free to the Public. Open Tuesday - Sunday.See more..
4.5High Point Museum(47 reviews) - Understated Hidden Gem Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours History Museums
A division of the High Point Public Library, the High Point Museum is dedicated to sharing Greater High Point's history, providing perspective for current issues, and strengthening the sense of community.See more..
4.5Tobacco Farm Life Museum(42 reviews) - It's about more than tobacco Sunday: Farms • Educational sites • History Museums
Yes, the museum features the history of tobacco farming, but it's much more. You travel back to the 1930s and learn about a simpler way of life. Although I don't smoke or condone it, I enjoyed this museum.See more..
I recently visited Southern Pines and decided to explore this Center. I didn't really realize it was the home of the Boyd family as I had driven over for the NC Literary Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is actually in what was an office, and all of it is well worth a few hours of time. The home is well preserved with helpful notes for the rooms as well as the Hall of Fame. Additionally, there are beautiful gardens out back that connect into walking trails. I not only enjoyed my visit, but was delighted to meet Marianna-the Office Manager, who is quite knowledgeable about the Center, the Boyd family, the Hall of Fame and the town itself. For those that live in the area, there appear to be many events at the Center, but again, its well worth a few hours if in the area. Really enjoyed my visit.See more..
The whole family can spend time together exploring 3 floors of exhibits in this interactive museum. Closely observe native and exotic creatures in the Honey Bee Observation Hive and the Herpetarium. Test your body knowledge in Body-ology by climbing boulders and racing the wild. Discover new places with Science on a Sphere®, a giant globe that takes you all around the world and into Outer Space. Uncover secrets of local history – the people and events that shaped the way we live today. New experiences are waiting in our ever-changing gallery spaces where families can question and discover how the world works.See more..
My second visit was just as impressive as my first. With the upcoming HBO special on Andre the Giant, I recommend to all in the area and those heading to the beach from the north to make the stop to this gem of a museum. They have great memorabilia of Andre and lots of very interesting artifacts....like the state version of the Smithsonian. Very affordable and worth every penny.See more..
Located in the only Victorian Queen Anne Train station in North Carolina, the Hamlet Depot serves as an active passenger depot as well as home to the Hamlet Depot & Museums. The hands on exhibits, visual displays, and interactive consoles encourage both young and old alike to explore the history of the Seaboard Railroad and Hamlet. From our Oral Histories, to our Model Railroad , to the Tornado Locomotive Replica the Hamlet Depot & Museums offer something fun for every one.See more..
3.5Orange County Historical Museum(23 reviews) - with so much room it could offer a lot more Sunday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 AM History Museums
The museum is in a beautiful 2 story stone building. You can read/learn about everything Hillsborough from pre-colonial days to the revolutionary war to the civil war and into early 1900s Hillsborough history. The second floor is used for rotating exhibits. The young lady working in there could have made us feel more welcome but it was very hot in there and I wouldn't have been at my best if I'd been sitting in there all day. When we were there they didn't appear to have a special exhibit on the second floor. They just had some furniture and a quilt.See more..
4.0Wayne County Museum(21 reviews) - A hidden gem! Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums • History Museums
Located in the historic downtown district of Goldsboro,NC, the Wayne County Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the Goldsboro and Wayne County community. We are proud to be a stop on the Civil War Trails, a program which highlights sites of importance across North Carolina and the South. Our gift shop carries a selection of books and unique gifts centering around Wayne County's unique history!See more..
The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) is the preeminent center for the research and study of Southern decorative arts and material culture. MESDA is home to the most comprehensive collection of southern decorative arts and related research resources in the country. The museum is internationally recognized for its contributions to the study and understanding of the history, decorative arts, and material culture of the American South. MESDA is part of Old Salem Museums & Gardens, a unique living history site that shares the rich, authentic, and diverse cultural history of the early South—with special emphasis on the Moravians in North Carolina, enslaved and free people of African descent, and indigenous peoples of the Southern Woodlands—through the preservation and interpretation of material culture, architecture, and cultural landscapes.See more..
4.0Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum(15 reviews) - Homage to an educational pioneer Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours History Museums
The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum is North Carolina’s first official State Historic Site to honor an African American and a woman. The site is the former Palmer Memorial Institute, an elite African American boarding school established by Brown at age 19 in 1902. The historic site opened to the public in 1987 and has as its mission to preserve and interpret the history and cultural legacy of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Palmer Memorial Institute and African American education. Visitors can explore and learn about a unique environment where many African American boys and girls lived and learned during the greater part of the 20th Century.See more..
4.0Davidson County Historical Museum(14 reviews) - Awesome history landmark! Sunday: Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • History Museums
The Davidson County Historical Museum is located in the core of Uptown Lexington's Historic District and is housed inside the Old County Courthouse on the Square. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1858 Courthouse is one of the few historic properties in the county available to the public for tours. A 12- month exterior restoration of the Courthouse completed in 2014. The Davidson County Historical Museum maintains a permanent collection highlighting the natural history and culture of Davidson County which is available to the public through regularly scheduled exhibits, special programming and an online collections database.See more..
Victorian mansion once owned by a gem dealer known as "Diamond Jim" Lucas - now home to a folk and art museum featuring 19th-century furniture, indigenous gems, an art gallery and a large doll collection.See more..
Just visited this little gem, and found it to be so interesting. It covers the history of this small southern town detailing the businesses that grew as a result of the railroad stopping there. Country doctors, the bank, the cotton gins, the switchboard ladies with the switchboard on their dining room table, the African American area called Tank Town, and Sustare's Pool were all explained by use of photos, voice recordings, videos, and displays with items used here at the turn of the century and on. Well worth a visit!See more..
We came here on a weekday. We were greeted by a friendly museum director and have full access to the facilities. We were particularly interested in the African-American and Native American (indigenous ) histories of the county and the museum has lots of great archives and collections. The outdoor buildings - the school, the tobacco barn and especially the totally outfitted medical clinic were a real surprise. This is a place well worth seeing and we would be back again to study it in detail another time.See more..
The Eden Historical Museum is a very good local museum. It has attractive and imformative exhibits. It is open from 10-4 on Saturdays. You should certainly stop for a visit when in the area. There is a $1 charge to tour the museum....a good bargain!See more..
The historical museum for the County, housed in the 1907 neo-classical courthouse, with exhibits charting Rockingham County's history from pre-historic and native american, to slavery, industry and transport, law and order, military history, Civil Rights and much more. We also offer tours and provide access to a wealth of historical and genealogical materials in our archival vaults for the public. We operate the restored 1816 Wright Tavern building opposite the museum and its outbuildings, giving a rare insight into the early life of the United States. Additionally we manage the historic High Rock Ford Park and trail south of Reidsville which offers kayak and canoe access to the River Haw.See more..
The Freeman Round House is an African-American Museum. Its purpose is to preserve, promote, and present African-American history, art, and culture to all citizens of Wilson and the region in order to increase the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of cultural traditions and African-American contributions to society.See more..
The museum is located in a historic building that used to be the county court house. They have exhibits which change every few months. There is also a room with county history. The building is amazingly restored. The staff are warm and friendly. They have an ISPY game which challenges the children to be engaged throughout the exhibit. This is the type of place you can easily visit all throughout the year with a different experience. Best of all its completely free.See more..
4.5Linbrook Heritage Estate(7 reviews) - Best John Deere museum around! Sunday: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM History Museums
Nicely displayed tractors. All our in mint condition. You can also enjoy looking at the old Hoover house from long ago.See more..
The Chatham County Historical Museum is located inside the Chatham County Courthouse. The original bricks of the building are the only thing that survived the 2010 fire. Admission is free to visit the museum. The museum is good sized and contains a lot of history. Some of the exhibits you read, others you can listen to the history; then there are a lot of visuals. The museum is in one room and a gallery in another. There is also a gift shop. Volunteers are there to answer any questions that you have and provide background information on the county and the building. I was also able to tour the renovated courtroom and go out on the balcony. If you are in the Pittsboro area, this museum is worth a visit.See more..
5.0Robeson County History Museum(5 reviews) - What a great collection of memorabilia in a historic building Spent < 1 hour Military Museums • History Museums Exhibits show the natural resources, transportation, agricultural, commercial, military, social, and cultural history of the area. The museum's goal is to tell the story of the county with permanent and changing exhibits. You will find artifacts from early geological times to the present. The museum is housed in the historic Southern Express Building along the banks of the Lumber River.See more..
This is a place where you can spend hours looking at the huge collection of Statesville history amassed over the years by Steve Hill. It’s free too! See more..
Step back in time at Kings Mountain Historical Museum, located in the heart of the historic City of Kings Mountain. With changing exhibits, there is always something new to see, and special events often mean opening up our two historic houses behind the Post Office.We are dedicated to providing free access to this city's unique history.See more..
3.5The Mooresville Museum(5 reviews) - Growing representation of Mooresville History Spent < 1 hour History Museums
Enjoyed visiting The Mooresville Museum. They have a growing representation of actual artifacts, photographs and documents from when Mooresville was incorporated to recent history. Good information on the town for both visitors and residents alike.See more..
4.5Quadruplex Museum(4 reviews) - Very Interesting Spent < 1 hour History Museums
We enjoyed the history of the era when French built community in the rural part of NC. The house is decorated well and easy to walk around. We had a great knowledgeable representative there. She explained some of the details and walked with us to the fire fighters museum. Basically these are complexes of apartments with four duplex units. See more..
4.5Mundy House and History Center of Eastern Lincoln County(4 reviews) - Very Well done. Sunday: Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • History Museums Very Educational well done restoration with lots of Lincoln county history to view. Nice stop while traveling Hwy 16. Very knowledgeable attendant.See more..
As I traveled along I-77, I decided to stop in Statesville NC just North of Charlotte. TripAdvisor listed the Mountain Biking Museum as a top attraction. Turns out it was a bike shop that had a lot of old bikes on display. The owners of the shop had just passed away and their heirs decided to close the shop and open it exclusively as the museum. It will be interesting to see how it is transformed.See more..
5.0Haw River Historical Museum(3 reviews) - Interesting local history History Museums We arranged our area trip around the museum's hours to add to our family research efforts. The small museum is packed with exhibits that expand over 100 years of the town's history, including lots of information about the area's textile industry. The volunteers there are very helpful and eager to answer questions. Worth your time if you are in the Alamance/Orange County area. See more..
We came to see The Pathway to Freedom. My mother has a vision problem, and if she can't sit on the front or 2nd row she can't see. I called ahead to ask about seating and was told it was general admission, not assigned seating. When I explained about my mother's vision they reserved 4 front row center seats for us. Wow, I was very pleased and impressed. Mom was able to enjoy the entire show. The play was good and thought provoking. Enjoyed meeting the cast members afterwards. Also, the preshow music was good. So glad we came here, if we are ever back in the area I would like to return for a different show. They have Senior Citizens ticket prices which was helpful.See more..
Fire Museum houses in Town first propelled in 1937 by Ford American LeFrance Fire Truck and also houses exhibits of river history, dams, scouting and the town's development. It is at 60 Falls..All my information came to me from city council while I was visiting home. There is always some one to help with your tour.See more..
5.0Cherryville Historical Museum(2 reviews) - Good museum for the history of the area Spent 1-2 hours History Museums
It was a good small museum for learning about the history of the area. Lots of exhibits and detailed information. Right downtown.See more..
4.0Penderlea Homestead Museum(1 review) - Only Open Saturday Afternoons Spent < 1 hour History Museums Penderlea Homestead Farms was the first of 152 homestead projects developed in 1934 under President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. The purpose of the homestead projects was to provide penniless tenant farmers, bankrupt farm owners, and unemployed ex-farmers during the Great Depression with a means of making a living. Providing for self-sufficient rural communities also eased the burden of over-crowded cities. The museum is only open Saturday afternoons and is guided by ladies who were some of the original occupants. The town's Depression Era history roots are interesting. The Museum consists of one of the original homes and a new agricultural exhibit barn.See more..
4.0Princeville Museum Welcome Center(1 review) - Pride of the town Sunday: Spent < 1 hour History Museums The Princeville Museum serves as a bridge to the historic past of the first town chartered by Blacks in America. The restored schoolhouse hosts visitors and community events. Attended UNC Kenan Institute presentation and luncheon (catered by local Pit Que barbecue).See more..
The Sallie Mae Ligon Museum & Archives is located on the campus of the Masonic Home for Children. It is the first and oldest operating home for children in North Carolina dating back to 1873 (then called the Oxford Orphan Asylum). The museum is small but I found it to be very well organized with nice displays and plenty of interesting reading material to give you a good history of the place. We checked in with a very nice lady who walked us through the room giving us a brief history and then we were allowed to go back through on our own to read whatever we wanted to. After finishing with the museum section (used to be the boys dorm) we walked down the hall to the archives room (used to be the girls dorm) that offered even more interesting history of the place. Certain areas on the campus are off limits so please obey the signs and do not drive around them.See more..
Gibsonville Museum & Historical Society, Inc(0 review) Spent 1-2 hours History Museums The Gibsonville Museum is member funded, non-profit run museum of local and regional history. The Museum is open on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and also during larger town events (Fall Festival, Lighting of the Green, the Christmas Parade). For groups and private parties, the Museum can be opened outside of traditional hours with advance notice.See more..
