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Named as one of the Top 10 states for cultural and heritage tourism, North Carolina is a recreational paradise and the sixth most visited state in America. Annually, over 49 million people visit, spending $12.6 billion and in effect growing tourism into one of the state’s largest industries. North Carolina is home to numerous state and national parks, and a large motor sports industry. The state is the third top filmmaking state in production revenues in the U.S., one of the best skiing destinations on the east coast and the birthplace of American golf, with nearly 600 courses.

The state has numerous opportunities for varying cultural and recreational pursuits, many with an educational emphasis. Museums include the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of History, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, all in Raleigh. Also located in Raleigh is the North Carolina Symphony, a full-time, professional orchestra with 65 members and an extensive education program. North Carolina Aquariums have three facilities on Roanoke Island, at Pine Knoll Shores and at Fort Fisher. N.C. Zoo, in Asheboro, is the nation’s largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo and was the first American zoo designed around the "natural habitat" philosophy. The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources runs six Educational State Forests (ESFs) throughout the state- designed to teach the public, especially children, about the forest environment. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission manages, conserves and educates the public on the state’s fish and wildlife resources. North Carolina has three official festivals: the Hertford County Watermelon Festival (the official Northeastern North Carolina Watermelon Festival), the Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival (the official Southeastern North Carolina Watermelon Festival) and Folkmoot USA- the official State International Folk Festival held each July.

North Carolina has 29 state parks and four recreation areas throughout the state, as well as numerous national parks. These include the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, two National Seashores: Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore, two National Historic Sites: Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Moores Creek National Battlefield, two National Historic Trails: Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

Some of the 27 North Carolina Historic Sites include Historic Stagville, located in Durham, site of the largest plantation in North Carolina, Tyron Palace Historic Sites & Gardens in New Bern, site of the state’s first capitol, Battleship North Carolina from WWII in Wilmington, and the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo.

North Carolina hosts many annual sporting events, including the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, NCAA Division I Regional Basketball Tournaments, state High School Championships in over 20 sports, various NASCAR events, various USGA events, various fishing tournaments, and the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. North Carolina's professional sports teams include several minor league teams in baseball, football, soccer and hockey, two rugby teams, the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL, the Charlotte Bobcats of the NBA, the Carolina Panthers of the NFL, the Charlotte Sting of the WNBA, and dozens of NASCAR and Winston Cup teams. Home to four motor sports speedways, including Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina is to motor sports what New York is to baseball. State attractions related to the sport include the Dale Earnhardt Tribute in Kannapolis and the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame in Mooresville.

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