50 Fun Facts About North Carolina

North Carolina is beautiful state on the East Coast with so much history! I’ve provided a list of Fun Facts About North Carolina for you to familiarize yourself with the state! Some of these NC Fun Facts may surprise you, especially the wide variety of “firsts” we’ve had in this state!

Looking for things to do in North Carolina? Check out my NC blog posts here!

Basic Fun Facts About North Carolina

• State Capital: Raleigh, NC
• State Population: 10+ Million
• State Nickname: The Tar Heel State and Old North State.
• State Bird: Cardinal

“Number” Fun Facts About North Carolina

• North Carolina is the 28th largest state in the USA
• North Carolina is the 9th most populated stated in the USA
• North Carolina borders 4 other states: South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia
• North Carolina is the number 1 producer of sweet potatoes and tobacco
• North Carolina has had 3 locals become president: President James Polk, President Andrew Jackson, and President Andrew Johnson
• North Carolina has over 300 waterfalls (mostly in western NC)
• North Carolina is home to the tallest dam on the east coast at 426ft: Fontana Dam
• North Carolina is one of the top 3 states hit by hurricanes

“First” Fun Facts About North Carolina

• North Carolina is the first state to have a successful flight of a mechanically propelled airline (thanks to the Wright Brothers in December 1903)
  Kitty Hawk, NC
• The first Krispy Kreme Doughnuts was opened in NC in 1937
  Winston Salem, NC
• The first Pepsi was created & served in North Carolina in 1898
  New Bern, NC
• North Carolina is home to the first miniature golf course
  Fayetteville, NC
• Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run in Fayetteville on March 7, 1914
  Fayetteville, NC
• North Carolina is home to the first state art museum in the country
  Raleigh, NC
• Cabarrus County was the first gold rush in America
  Carrabus County, NC
• University of North Carolina was the first public university in the United States
  Chapel Hill, NC
• The first Vick’s VapoRub was first sold in 1905 by the brand Richardson-Vicks
  Greensboro, NC
• Bojangles, the fast food restaurant, also originated in North Carolina
  Charlotte, NC
• Charlotte, NC is the home to the first Family Dollar location ever
  Charlotte, NC

Unique Fun Facts About North Carolina

• The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is the largest private house in the world, with 250 rooms.
• The Outer Banks are nicknamed “Graveyard of the Atlantic” and is where Pirate Blackbeard eventually died due to rough storms
• North Carolina is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame
• Mount Mitchel is the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,700+ ft above sea level
• The Venus Flytrap is native to North Carolina
• North Carolina is home to parts of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Bryson City NC // Cherokee NC)
• North Carolina has the highest breweries per capita of the southern states (Best Breweries in Charlotte)
• North Carolina has the most environmentally friendly buildings than any other state
• The tallest lighthouse in the USA is located in the Outer Banks: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

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Read More About North Carolina:

Ultimate North Carolina Bucket List

ASHEBORO:
Getaway House: Tiny House Cabin in the Woods

BLOWING ROCK/BANNER ELK:
Best Things To Do Around Blowing Rock
Visiting Grandfather Mountain

BRYSON CITY:
15 Things to Do in Bryson City, NC
Treehouse Cabana Soaking Tub Experience

CHARLOTTE:
Charlotte, NC City Guide
Best Wall Murals in Charlotte, NC
Free Things to do in Charlotte, NC
Top 10 Breweries in Charlotte
Best Date Nights in Charlotte
Road Trips from Charlotte, NC

CHEROKEE:
Best Things to Do in Cherokee, NC
Review: Harrah’s Casino & Resort

LINVILLE:
Things to Do in Linville, NC

WILMINGTON:
Self Guided One Tree Hill Tour