Highest-Rated Free Things To Do in North Carolina, According to Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

Whether for the weekend around town or to add to your out-of-town itinerary, free things to do are good. With the ever-rising costs of gas and food, the idea of disposable income can feel like a distant fantasy.

The cost-of-living continues to rise across the country, forcing each dollar earned to stretch further. While vacations are undoubtedly beneficial for mental health, maintaining savings, paying down debts amid inflation, and regular expenses likely take precedence. But, not everything enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there’s probably a roster of completely free things to do in your current area.

Think about the most common entries on a vacation getaway itinerary: Sight-seeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you’re just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet.

The truth is: Whether you’re a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your card. Find and plan your next highly rated free activity in North Carolina on Tripadvisor, as compiled by Stacker. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews.

Tripadvisor

#30. Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee

– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (4,036)
– Type of activity: Casinos
– Address: 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719-9761
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#29. Historic District

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,053)
– Type of activity: Neighborhoods
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#28. Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (901)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Equestrian Trails
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#27. Looking Glass Falls

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (903)
– Type of activity: Waterfalls
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#26. Lexington Glassworks

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (976)
– Type of activity: Art Galleries
– Address: 81 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801-3309
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#25. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (586)
– Type of activity: National Parks • Beaches
– Address: North Carolina Highway 12, Hatteras Island, NC 27954
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#24. DuPont State Recreational Forest

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (776)
– Type of activity: Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests
– Address: Staton Road, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#23. Pisgah National Forest

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (681)
– Type of activity: National Parks • Forests
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#22. Asheville Visitor Center

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (841)
– Type of activity: Visitor Centers
– Address: 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801-2528
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#21. Freedom Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (795)
– Type of activity: Parks
– Address: 1900 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203-5828
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#20. North Carolina Museum of History

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (928)
– Type of activity: Speciality Museums
– Address: 5 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1011
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#19. Fort Macon State Park

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,069)
– Type of activity: State Parks
– Address: 2303 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512-5633
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#18. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tours & Tastings

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,359)
– Type of activity: Breweries
– Address: 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC 28732-8608
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#17. Duke University

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (660)
– Type of activity: Educational sites
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#16. Duke University Chapel

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,018)
– Type of activity: Religious Sites
– Address: 401 Chapel Dr West Campus, Durham, NC 27708-9984
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#15. Airborne and Special Operations Museum

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,087)
– Type of activity: Speciality Museums
– Address: 100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301-4806
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#14. Basilica of Saint Lawrence

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,219)
– Type of activity: Churches & Cathedrals
– Address: 97 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801-2852
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#13. Tail of the Dragon

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,238)
– Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Drives
– Address: US Route 129- Deal’s Gap US Rout 129 – Deals Gap, Robbinsville, NC 28771-7820
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#12. Mount Mitchell State Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (792)
– Type of activity: State Parks • Mountains
– Address: 2388 State Highway 128, Burnsville, NC 28714-8806
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#11. Pullen Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,289)
– Type of activity: Parks
– Address: 408 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606-2149
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#10. JOLO Winery & Vineyards

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (818)
– Type of activity: Wineries & Vineyards
– Address: 219 Jolo Winery Ln, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041-8717
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#9. The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,411)
– Type of activity: Speciality Museums • Libraries
– Address: Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway Southern Highland Craft Guild, Asheville, NC 28815
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#8. Mingo Falls

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,211)
– Type of activity: Waterfalls
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#7. North Carolina Museum of Art

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,827)
– Type of activity: Art Museums
– Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607-6433
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#6. Dry Falls

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,627)
– Type of activity: Waterfalls
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#5. Jockey’s Ridge State Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,304)
– Type of activity: State Parks • Parks
– Address: 300 W Carolista Dr Milepost 12 on US 158 bypass, Nags Head, NC 27959
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#4. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,319)
– Type of activity: Natural History Museums • Science Museums
– Address: 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#3. Billy Graham Library

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (2,462)
– Type of activity: Libraries
– Address: 4330 Westmont Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217-1001
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#2. Sarah P. Duke Gardens

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (2,190)
– Type of activity: Gardens
– Address: 426 Anderson St Box 90341, Durham, NC 27708-0341
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#1. Blue Ridge Parkway

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (6,978)
– Type of activity: Scenic Drives
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor