North Carolina is kid-friendly!

North Carolina with the family: between nature and cultural discoveries

Discovering North Carolina and its great outdoors is like venturing into lands still unexplored at the time of the settlers. You would almost expect to meet Cherokee Indians! All the landscapes are magnificent. Moreover, the two English explorers who discovered it more than 400 years ago described it as “the most beautiful land under the sky” and we can understand their enthusiasm.

To get there: Delta Air Lines now offers its non-stop flight between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Delta uses a 757-seat Boeing 200-163ER for this flight, operated jointly with its Air France joint venture partners KLM and Alitalia. Book your Delta flight on 0892 702 609, on delta.com or at your travel agent.

Recommended public price: around 1000 euros, duration 9h30 min.

For more information on the North Carolina destination: the Travel South USA website and on the Facebook page in French

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    River rafting

    In the many rivers, rafting enthusiasts young and old will have a blast because the rapids provide thrills. Those who prefer swimming can swim in the huge lakes, whose tree-lined shores form lush greenery and are reflected in the pure water. The little ones will also be able to have fun in the natural pools of the rivers nestled in the hollows of the rocks. You can also fish in the sea or in the river, go boating, in short, there is no lack of pleasures for water sports enthusiasts.

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    Asheville Family Adventure

    In the many rivers, young and old will be able to have fun in the natural pools of the rivers nestled in the hollows of the rocks. Rafting enthusiasts can have a blast because the rapids provide thrills. Those who prefer swimming can swim in the huge lakes whose tree-lined shores form lush greenery and are reflected in the pure water. In North Carolina, you can also fish in the sea or in the river, go boating, in short, there is no lack of pleasures.

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    Asheville Family Adventure

    In North Carolina, there are many “Adventure Parks” to keep the kids entertained. Durham Central Park, Lake Johnson Park are also great places to picnic and relax while the kids play Frisbee or softball.

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    Bears

    Those who love to hike will love to hike the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountain forest trails that sink under gigantic trees. One of the favorite activities in the area is “hiking”. While walking we can explain to children that these deep forests crossed by white water, flowering trees, hundred-year-old oaks, giant ferns, majestic pines shelter black bears which, fortunately, are so fearful that they are hide away from hikers.

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    The biking is king

    You can also cycle the trails because Biking is king in North Carolina, stop for a picnic in the heart of nature, go climbing with guides. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky National Park is the most visited of the American national parks. It is crossed by the Appalachian Trail, the Appalachian Trail, a long hiking route that stretches from Maine to Georgia.

     

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    Chimney Rock

    Chimney Rock State Park is renowned for its landscape of waterfalls and boulders and its main attraction, Chimney Rock, is a 96m granite monolith, from the top of which one has a superb bird’s eye view of the surrounding forest. 

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    Marbles Kids Museum Raleigh

    Raleigh’s Marbles for Children Museum offers a host of interactive exhibits for children of all ages, as well as an IMAX 3-D theater.

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    North Carolina Museum of History Raleigh

    The North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh tells us the story of the first English settlers, the Cherokee Indians, the exploits of the pirate Blackbeard, the life of tobacco planters and slaves, the Civil War, all these themes that feed American cinema.

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    North Carolina Museum of Art

    There is no shortage of museums in North Carolina for culture and entertainment. The huge park of the museum allows you to jog, play ball and relax with your family.

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    Museum Cherokee Indian

    In Cherokee, not far from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, is the reconstruction of the Indian village Oconaluftee and the Museum of the Cherokee Indians.

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    North Carolina Museum of Art

    The North Carolina Museum of Art presents a rich and exciting collection of works of art from around the world and outdoor works in the huge park that surrounds the museum. You will come across many American families who come to spend the day there.

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    Old-Salem Village

    Near Winston-Salem is Old-Salem, a reconstructed 18th century Moravian village. All the inhabitants wear period clothes and the little ones love it!

     

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    Reynolda House

    The “Reynolda House Museum of American Art” in Winston-Salem, presents a very fine collection of American painters and sumptuous gardens where the family can stroll at leisure.

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    Biltmore Estate House

    Asheville is also the site of the astonishing Biltmore Estate, a huge 250-room house, built in the French Renaissance style in 1895 and owned by the Vanderbilt family. 

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    Fearrington House

    Apart from restaurants where you can taste typical American dishes, you can also find delicious and creative gourmet cuisine inherited from the past but revisited by great American chefs who use ingredients from local farmers, growers and ranchers. The “Herons” restaurant located in “The Umstead Hotel and Spa” and managed by Chef Steven D. Greene is known for its menus, each more creative than the last. Colin Bedford, the Chef of the “Fearrington House Restaurant” located in the charming Relais & Châteaux Faerrington village also offers extraordinary seasonal cuisine.

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    Winston Salem

    For walking and shopping in North Carolina, there are many charming towns that each have their own character. Winston Salem, Ashville, Raleigh are interesting to visit. Many artists have tagged the walls with colorful graphics. There are pretty traditional pottery, crafts, painting galleries, beer bars where musicians play bluegrass, and restaurants serving typical southern cuisine as well as vegetarian and organic dishes.

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    Asheville

    In the mountainous west, Asheville is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are communities of new-age and neo-hippie artists who give this city a very nice arty side, art galleries, the graphs of the “River Arts District” downtown appeal to young and old alike.

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    Big Ed’s City Market Raleigh

    For lunch and dinner, the whole family can enjoy the essential hamburgers, barbecued meats, more or less spicy fried chicken, accompanied by fries but also large salads of crunchy and fresh raw vegetables. If you want to experience the flavors of real traditional cuisine, here are some great places where you can feast without breaking the bank: “Big Ed’s City Market” in Raleigh, “Lexington Avenue Brewery” in Asheville, “Buxton Hall Barbecue” in Asheville, “ Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack ”in Asheville,“ Corner Kitchen ”in Biltmore Village,“ The Tavern in Old Salem ”in Winston Salem,“ Spring House Restaurant ”in Winston-Salem,“ Breakfast at Mary’s Gourmet Diner ”in Winston-Salem.

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    Authentic breakfast

    In terms of gastronomy, the traditional dishes of the southern United States will delight the taste buds of the whole family. For breakfast, pan cakes, waffles, toast and cookies covered with tasty maple syrup and regional blackberry jams, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, fresh fruit salads, all washed down with fruit juice and a large ice cold glass of water, southern heat obliges! Here are some great places to eat without breaking the bank: “Big Ed’s City Market” in Raleigh, “Lexington Avenue Brewery” in Asheville, “Buxton Hall Barbecue” in Asheville, “Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack” in Asheville, “Corner Kitchen” in Biltmore Village, “The Tavern in Old Salem” in Winston Salem, “Spring House Restaurant” in Winston-Salem, “Breakfast at Mary’s Gourmet Diner” in Winston-Salem.

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    Keep them busy during the trip

    Driving for miles on the four-lane roads bordered by magnificent forests is one of the great pleasures of traveling in North Carolina. To occupy the impatient little ones, play “the first to see a big red truck wins a point!” As we cross hundreds of trucks of all colors, the game can last a long time!

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