North Carolina’s diverse landscape, from mountains, forests and plains to the sandy shores of the Outer Banks, provides lots of lovely outdoor space for visitors to enjoy. The irresistible southern charm of cities like Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro make exploring them a treat. Travelers on the way to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park are encouraged to take the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Skiers will be interested to know that there are 4 ski areas south of Sugar Mountain.