“Fried Chicken”byArnold Gatilaois licensed underCC BY 2.0
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits is a North Carolina fast food favorite. Locals know that everything else pales in comparison. (We’re looking at you, KFC.)
“Babies love Cheerwine”byMark Dolineris licensed underCC BY 2.0
If you’ve always thought, “Gee, I wish my soda tasted a little more like cherry-flavored cough syrup,” you’re in for a real treat.
“Pepsi”byMike Mozartis licensed underCC BY 2.0
You may want to try to fit in with the locals by ordering a “coke” when you mean something else here, but the only answer you’re going to get is “We’ve got Pepsi.” When it was invented in your state, you have to stay loyal to the brand.
North Carolina has tons of beautiful coastlines, and locals know the best way to take advantage of it. If swimming, kayaking, and surfing are your thing, you’re in luck.
Whether it’s sweet tea or moonshine, there’s just something North Carolinians love about drinking out of mason jars. They’re just happy Pinterest and the rest of the country finally caught on.
Next time you ask for a hotdog in North Carolina, be sure to order it “all the way,” otherwise you’ll miss out on all that onion-mustard-coleslaw-chili perfection.
North Carolinians are responsible for Krispy Kreme. The awesome doughnut chain originated in Winston-Salem, so it’s easy to get your fix when you visit the state.
Appalachian State University students won’t be shy about correcting you if you say “App-uh-lay-shun.”
Did you know “Dirty Dancing” was filmed at Lake Lure? Or that “Forest Gump” was filmed at Grandfather Mountain? Oh… you will after visiting North Carolina.
Most North Carolinians are busy debating whether UNC Tar Heels fans or Duke Blue Devils fans are more committed, but in Raleigh it’s all about NC State’s Wolfpack.
Some people develop a taste for this everything-but-the-kitchen-sink relish right away. Others find the green tomatoes, cabbage, pepper, onion, carrot, green bean, and whatever else is left over mix a little stomach turning. Try it on a hotdog before you judge too harshly. Everything tastes better on a hotdog.
North Carolinians always drink their iced tea super syrupy sweet. It’s just more refreshing that way.
No one does biscuits better than North Carolinians. It’s the perfect breakfast with jam, the perfect lunch with ham and cheese, and the perfect side for dinner.
Even though “The Andy Griffith Show” was set in a fictional North Carolina town, the spirit of the show is still very much alive in a lot of the state’s small towns. Don’t be surprised if you see kids running around and playing in the streets, and a lot of unlocked doors.
Tanglewood Park’s annual Festival Of Lights alone is enough to make a North Carolina trip worthwhile. Their truly elaborate Christmas lights are nothing short of magical.
If you’re not from North Carolina, this seemingly nice and genuine sentiment can feel surprisingly like pity rather than empathy. Trust your gut on the whole pity thing. No North Carolinian blesses your heart unless they feel a little sorry for you.
North Carolina might strike most out-of-towners as fairly conservative, but one visit to Asheville might change their minds.
Nothing beats the power trip that comes from standing over an entire pig right before you’re about to dig in. There’s a reason North Carolinians love their pig picking tradition so much.
It’s rare for most people to get to see how the 1% lived back in the day, but this enormous, gorgeous historic home is open to the public. There’s nothing like getting carried away by dreams of being a Vanderbilt.
There’s no shortage of great barbeque in North Carolina, but when in doubt about where to go, look at where all the locals are flocking. Better yet, go somewhere that has a street named after it like B’s BBQ in Greenville.
Just ask any local, and they’ll tell you their favorite microbrewery. Between NoDa Brewing Company, Highland Brewing Company, Deep River Brewing Company, and all the other amazing local favorites, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something at least twenty steps above Miller.
If you’re looking for NASCAR action in North Carolina, Charlotte is the place to be. But don’t necessarily expect everyone from the state to know a ton about the sport.
It’s almost hard to keep your eyes on the road while driving through North Carolina in the fall. You’ll have a hard time pulling them away from all the gorgeous trees.
Discovery Place in Charlotte might be geared toward children… but let’s be honest, it’s just as awesome as an adult. If you’ve totally lost your inner child and you’re not into dinosaur bones, their adults-only drink-mixing event Science On The Rocks is still totally appealing.
With music like Ben Folds, James Taylor, The Avett Brothers, and Deniro Farrar coming out of North Carolina, there’s something to suit every taste. It’s not all bluegrass—although they’re pretty great at that too.
A trip to Wilmington’s Azalea Festival means derby hats, fancy dresses, and seersucker suits galore. It’s also a great way to see live music and local art—but people watching is always the best part.
Plenty of local North Carolinians have been in or have family in the military. If you’re trying to get a sense of that history and pride, a visit to Fort Macon is a great introduction for out-of-towners.
Every North Carolinian has been on at least one family trip to this awesome historic battleship, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re new to North Carolina and don’t want to be left out.
It’s super well laid out, easy to walk around, and full of both terrifying and adorable animals. There’s a reason locals recommend it so highly.
Even if you get a few people saying “bless your heart” after you order an unsweetened iced tea, Southern hospitality and a strong community vibe always reign in North Carolina. It’s easy to see why residents have so much state pride. What do you have to explain to out-of-towners about North Carolina? Tell us in the comments below!
