And then there’s the great expanse of terrain open to the public as part of the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. Check out Crystal Coast — one of only two spots in the entire US where the warm waters of the Gulf Stream touch shore — for shipwreck exploring, snorkeling, and even underwater photography clinics. Love North Carolina? On a clear day from the mile-high top, you can see the skyline of Charlotte, 160 miles away. Wineries dot the entirety of the state — which makes sense considering North Carolina’s grapes were remarked upon by explorers and settlers as early as 1584. mobile app. In Southern Shores - It is against the law to rollerblade on a state highway. 11 Times That Cameras Captured Terrifying Weather Disasters In North Carolina. Oct 14, 2017 - Two atomic bombs dropped over North Carolina - WTF fun facts. The Lost Colony. While having sex, you must stay in the missionary position and have the shades pulled. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The best part about Mount Mitchell, however, is that NC 128 connects the Blue Ridge Parkway (America’s Favorite Drive) to a parking lot only 1,000 feet from the summit. These weird facts might have you changing the way you eat. The city of Brevard, specifically, is home to white squirrels — not albino squirrels, but white squirrels. The state’s highway system currently has 77,400 miles of roads In Dunn - No one may visit their departed loved ones late at night. Figure out when to go, how much you'll spend, and how to get around town. Life. Either way, the entire western border of the state is covered in waterfalls, and viewing even just the most notable ones would keep you busy for a while. Technically. In a press conference, North Carolina … Legend has it that a man in Lumberton, North Carolina was fined for singing loudly and poorly. One of the most frightening apparitions in the catalog of North Carolina hauntings comes from the quiet mountain town of Valle Crucis. Nov 23, 2014 - Two atomic bombs dropped over North Carolina - WTF fun facts .. North carolina. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County. George, an heir to the Vanderbilt railroad fortune, fell in love with North Carolina and began building his property by late 1889. It was built by a local man, Jody Pendarvis, … Whether it’s sweet tea or moonshine, there’s just something North Carolinians love about drinking out of mason jars. In Ashville - It is illegal to sneeze on city streets. Every state has a completely bizarre or weird set of laws on their books, but some are just downright insane.. For example, prepare to pay up to $500 if … Bald Head Island, part of North Carolina’s island beaches, is a 20-minute ferry ride from the rest of civilization. In addition to crossing the 228-foot Mile High Swinging Bridge (bring a scarf and jacket; no matter the weather, you’re still hanging in mile-high air), the park has a number of impressive wildlife exhibits and is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, sandwiched between dozens of hikes and waterfalls, making for an epic outdoor weekend. The Linville River in Pisgah National Forest sits at the bottom of the 1,500-foot Linville Gorge, which supports an incredibly diverse community of flora and fauna and is an awesome destination for hikers, rock climbers, anglers, and campers. To outrun the law, they had to modify their vehicles…thus was born the sport of stock-car racing, and eventually NASCAR. North Carolina's Ethnic Roots: African 21.6%, Scots/Scots-Irish 13.9%, English 9.5%, German 9.5%, Irish 7.4%, and one of the largest Native American populations in the United States. Nick Johnson, About HomeSnacks April 30, 2018. Organizations may not hold their meetings while the members present are in costume. Interesting facts about North Carolina. In Charlotte - Women must have their bodies covered by at least 16 yards of cloth at all times. The famous research triangle comprises Raleigh with N.C. State University to Durham and Duke University to Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina. The historic Biltmore Estate is one of the most frequently suggested places to visit in Asheville. In the same area lies yet another mystery: blue ghost fireflies. While that’s up for argument, between the mystery of Roanoke Island and the death of Blackbeard, it’s safe to say North Carolina is rich with history, culture, and its fair share of myth. From the visitor center, the strenuous .7-mile Gorge Trail leads to spectacular views at the foot of the roaring Linville Falls, which drenches sweaty hikers in a foggy mist. In Barber - Fights between cats and dogs are prohibited. This short-yet-steep hike takes you to some of the best views on the entire continent. VOTE NOW: Is North Carolina Gov. The city’s rich history dates back to its humble foundation that took place in 1808. Though it would take another 250 years for the first commercial winery to pop up (Medoc Vineyard in 1835), by the Civil War North Carolina had 25 wineries operating and thriving, and today the Yadkin Valley in the northwest of the state is a major wine destination. It is illegal to have sex in a churchyard. The origin of this weird law dates back to the 19th century. In Forest City - You must stop and call City Hall before entering town in an automobile. … Here are 14 telling examples. While on the island, you’ll travel by golf cart, bike, or on foot (never by car or bus), and the pace of the island mirrors the pace of its travelers. Johnson was born in Raleigh in 1808. A three dollar tax must be paid on all white goods sold. Some of the best unheard and unknown facts about North Carolina that you’ll wonder how you were still unaware of. There’s a UFO Welcome Center in Bowman. It's against the law to sing off key. Grandfather Mountain (near Linville) is the only private park in the world designated by the UN as an International Biosphere Reserve. 18 Reasons The Entire Country Should Be Thankful For North Carolina. This includes personalizing content and advertising. In its first year, it had a total of 41 students and two professors. The capital city of North Carolina allows residents and visitors alike access to at least 40 free museums and historic attractions. This capital city contains … Glassmine Falls in North Carolina may be taller (at a whopping 800+ feet), but it’s classified as “ephemeral” and only flows occasionally. During the ensuing madness the Klan leaders wife drove into a ditch… and then some Lumbee men helped pull her out and sent her on her way. Everything Tastes Better When It’s Served In A Mason Jar. In 1799, … In Greensboro - Restaurants "with on sidewalk dining" must post their menu so that it is clearly readable from the sidewalk, but is not readable from the street. While some don’t believe they exist, they are very, very real. As part of the triangle that includes Durham and Chapel Hill, along with nearby Cary, Raleigh and is often called the "Smithsonian of the South." The North Carolina colony was one of the first sites of early rebellion from the British. Pat McCrory Doing a Good Job? In 1789, the state chartered the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and though not the first university to receive a charter, it was the first public university in the country to admit students when it opened in 1795. In Chapel Hill - It is a misdemeanor to urinate or defecate publicly. Fireflies (or lightning bugs) are common in many places across the US, but the kind you’ll find here are a different being entirely. If a man and a woman who aren't married go to a hotel/motel and register themselves as married then, according to state law, they are legally married. Oral sex is considered a crime against nature. Presidents James Polk and Andrew Johnson were born here. Culpeper was charged with treason and later acquitted. You can also access nice panoramic views from multiple outposts on the rim of the gorge. Some go as far as to say North Carolina instigated the creation of the United States of America. With more than 140 breweries and brewpubs and 159 wineries, North Carolina is well-versed in local libations. In 1799, America’s first gold rush technically began. George Vanderbilt’s gigantic, hundred-year-old property is quite busy all year long. Weird & Amazing; Arts & Culture; Golf; Sustainable Travel; News Air Travel; Hotels; Cruises; Travel Tips; Tech & Gear; Safety & Insurance; About Us; Editorial Guidelines; The TripSavvy Team ; Contact Us; United States North Carolina Charlotte Essential Info for Charlotte. Elephants may not be used to plow cotton fields. In Kill Devil Hills - You may not ride a bicycle without having both your hands on the handle bars. Females are flightless and, instead of flashing a pale-yellow color, these little guys glow blue-green like a mutant version of their more commonplace cousins. Graduating seven of these students in 1798, UNC is the only US public institution to have conferred degrees in the 18th century. The High Tider dialect, or “Hoi Toider,” is only spoken in North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Pamlico Sound regions. The largest mansion in America. Asheville has Sierra Nevada and New Belgium among many smaller operations like Wicked Weed and Burial Beer Co, and there are over 20 breweries located within the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) alone. If swimming, kayaking, and surfing are your thing, you’re in luck. Oct 14, 2017 - Two atomic bombs dropped over North Carolina - WTF fun facts .. North Carolina leads the United States in production of furniture, tobacco, brick, and textile production. Scientists don’t know much about them, but they do know their habitats are shrinking. For more information on how we use cookies consult our revised, Download the Bingo games may not last over 5 hours unless it is held at a fair. Punctuation, vocabulary, and grammar can be traced to Southwestern England — to visitors passing through, it sounds nothing short of its own language. Though linguistically a dialect of English, it’s so thick that any outsider unused to deciphering it would be hard-pressed to follow. 2. Oct 14, 2017 - Two atomic bombs dropped over North Carolina - WTF fun facts. 5. North Carolina has another odd law that makes it illegal to practice as a professional fortune teller or psychic, but novices can set up shop without any restrictions. The North Carolina Symphony, founded in 1943, currently performs nearly 185 full-orchestra concerts each year. Update: Hurricane Florence made landfall as a Category 1 on Friday and is expected to slowly move over parts of the Carolinas all weekend. In 1958, The Lumbee Indians of North Carolina learned of a KKK rally being held in the woods nearby. Shipwrecks have been noted from the 1500s through WWII, and many can still be seen to this day with a short dive. Weird South Carolina Laws and Statutes Past and Present July 16, 2017 by Founder of Charleston Daily 10 Comments Ever wonder what crazy laws have been on the South Carolina … No need to leave the continental US for a peaceful island retreat. A marriage can be declared void if either of the two persons is physically impotent. Did you know that North Carolina is the 12th state of the U.S. constitution? While these laws may sound very strange, people in the state of North Carolina can still get into trouble if they break them. North Carolina: Tobacco Is A Vegetable The owner of a golf course in Asheville was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union, and after striking out on its own the state actually printed its own money and created its own postage stamps. North Carolina has tons of beautiful coastlines, and locals know the best way to take advantage of it. Our selection of interesting, cool fun facts and information about North Carolina will help you increase your knowledge about this interesting U.S. State. North Carolina’s Outer Banks aren’t known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” for nothing. The Klan was never active in the area again. North Carolina was one of the first states in the U.S. to establish a state symphony. Nov 23, 2014 - Two atomic bombs dropped over North Carolina - WTF fun facts. Upper Whitewater Falls, in Transylvania County — one of nearly 350 waterfalls in North Carolina — measures a total of 411 feet, making it the tallest waterfall on the East Coast. North Carolina has the largest state-maintained highway system in the United States. North Carolina has 484 kilometers (301 miles) of coastline, from the Outer Banks to the South Carolina border, and nearly all of it is accessible beachfront. This mansion sees a high influx of tourists round the year who gather to admire its French chateau-inspired architecture. In Zebulon - It is illegal to stand outside the police station for any purpose after dark. In Dunn - It is illegal to throw rocks at a city street. The first track, the North Wilkesboro Speedway, held its inaugural race in 1947. 2. North Carolina adds its own vanishing hitchhiker to the long list of spirits searching for a ride. Fun and Interesting City Facts Founded in 1792, Raleigh was officially named after the English explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh. In Dunn - It is illegal to drive cars through city cemeteries for pleasure. In North Carolina, it’s against the law to sing off key! 13. Search for a topic, destination or article, This post is proudly produced in partnership with, We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. Sorry, California. Cabarrus County, North Carolina, is the site of America’s original gold rush. A young boy named Conrad Reed found a shiny, 17-pound rock and gave it to his family to use as a doorstop — for the next three years. The Biltmore Estate, which was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 19th century, is the largest mansion in America. North Carolina is a diverse geographic state with mountains and beaches that go from the Atlantic ocean to the Appalachian mountains. This small town takes its name, which is Latin for "Valley of the Cross" from the two streams which meet at right angles in the middle of the valley. A trip to North Carolina would be incomplete without visiting Greensboro. In Dunn - Cars may not be driven on sidewalks. Our 7th president, … The North Carolina mountains seem to specialize in weird animalia. The Outer Banks is a 320-kilometer (200-mile) -long string of barrier islands and spits off the coast of North Carolina. It was built for the Vanderbilts in the late 1800s when the youngest son fell in love with the scenery and climate and wanted a “little mountain escape.” Over a million visitors tour the grounds each year; if you’re one of them, make sure you have an entire day — between the chateau, the grounds, and a tasting at the most popular winery in the US, your itinerary will be packed. WITH WELL OVER 100,000 acres of protected wilderness area, a history as rich in barbecue as it is in the Revolutionary War, and a spot on the map that both mountaineers and sailors can call home, North Carolina tells a complex and varied story. You can also relive the heyday of hooch at one of the state’s many modern distilleries. They’re usually picked between August and November, covered in … Raleigh was called the City of Oaks by its founding fathers because of the vast number of oak trees. To this day, surveyors walk through the landscape to figure out exactly where the lines are. Cape Hatteras is home to over 600 shipwrecks alone, making it an obvious spot for the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located in Hatteras Village. Fulmar chicks. Today, fans can visit the Charlotte Motor Speedway, watch pit crew practice, and tour the Hendrick Motorsports Museum near the state’s capital. Those fresh apples aren’t all that fresh, per say. In Elon College - There is to be no rollerblading during daylight hours, on the roads, or on the bricks. Between hurricanes and the meeting of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Currents, the state’s 200-mile string of barrier islands has sunk more than 5,000 ships. However, it highlights how great evolution is. Weird North Carolina No one may be a professional fortune-teller, and if one wishes to pursue the practice as an amateur, it must be practiced in a school or church. When it comes to tourist attractions in North Carolina, you probably think of some of the obvious ones like Biltmore Estate in Asheville, the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk or the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks. It is also known for its production of stawberries and blueberries. 12. During Prohibition, the citizens of Wilkes County made a name for their home as the “Moonshine Capital of the World” by producing illicit booze and selling it widely — and the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 didn’t stop them. 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