From our most iconic foods to beloved state symbols, consider this your go-to guide to North Carolina.
2023
Cheerwine
This sweet cherry soda, invented in Salisbury, has been a cherished Tar Heel treasure for more than 100 years.
Barbecue
’Cue is our state’s signature sustenance, but with two distinct styles — eastern and Lexington — that’s typically where our agreement ends. Luckily, no matter which side of this delicious rivalry you fall on, barbecue is a food that brings people together.
The Appalachian Trail
A record-setting hiker and North Carolina native reflects on what makes our state such an iconic part of the most famous hiking trail in the world.
The North Carolina Zoo
Generations of North Carolinians have made memories at the world’s largest natural-habitat zoo.
The Legend of Methuselah
Deep in the remote Three Sisters Swamp of the Black River stands an ancient old-growth forest. For decades, a famed bald cypress, dated to 372 AD and known as Methuselah, was its patriarch — until two even older trees were discovered.
The Krispy Kreme Doughnut
The glazed, pillowy-soft doughnuts, invented in Winston-Salem in 1937, are a Tar Heel tradition.
Pottery
In a state naturally rich in red clay, potters like the legendary Sid Luck carry on a long-held North Carolina tradition.
Textiles
In the 19th and 20th centuries, hundreds of textile mills supported a booming industry that created entire communities, turned North Carolina into a manufacturing powerhouse, and helped to weave the very fabric of our state.
2022
Tryon Palace
During Christmastime in New Bern, 18th-century holiday traditions come to life at North Carolina’s first State Capitol.
A Pirate’s Life
Take to the high seas — er, Taylor’s Creek in Beaufort, that is — to learn more about North Carolina’s infamous pirates.
Mountain Primer
Find out what makes our ancient Appalachian Mountains so magnificent in this primer on our peaks.
The Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
Sturdy through storms and sun, North Carolina’s wild horses roam on.
The Fried Bologna Sandwich
Like the old-school, paper bag special, a fried bologna sandwich is a nostalgic Southern staple.
The Tractor Factor
North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler has a deep appreciation for the machine that changed the landscape of our state.
The Carolina Shad Boat
This graceful, traditional fishing vessel — our state historic boat — was ideal for maneuvering in shallow water, but its history runs deep.
The Crystal Coast Shrimpburger
Fried shrimp, tartar sauce, slaw, and ketchup on a steamed bun — the shrimpburger is an icon of North Carolina.
