Eric Gaulin is a man who enjoys exploration, adventure, and freedom. Growing up in Rye, N.Y., he was always close to the ocean by way of the Long Island Sound. He has been lucky enough to sail to different parts of the world both with his family and friends. Living in New England, Eric has sailed up and down the Long Island Sound, out to Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket in what he calls the Cape Tour. In this Travel presentation Eric lists the top 10 tourist attractions in North Cacalacky!

1. Top 10 Tourist
Attractions in North
Carolina
Presentation by Eric Gaulin

2. #10.
NASCAR Hall of
Fame
For race car enthusiasts, the NASCAR
Hall of Fame in Charlotte provides
plenty of appeal. Attractions include
historic cars on Glory Road, a Hall of
Honor, and behind-the-scenes
exhibits. Sit back and catch a show on
the 64-ft projection screen in the High
Octane Theater.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

3. What’s New?
❖ There are five new nominees to
be considered for induction
into the NASCAR Hall of Fame
in 2017.
❖ The nominees include: 1- Ron
Hornaday Jr., 2- Jack Roush, 3-
Ricky Rudd, 4- Ken Squier, and
5- Waddell Wilson
Source: nascar.com

4. #9.
Old Cardinal Gem
Mine
Franklin, a little more than three
hours' drive from Charlotte, is
known as the "Gem Mining Capital
of the World," and budding
geologists can dig for treasures at
the town's Old Cardinal Gem
Mine.
Source: www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

5. ❖ Operating for more than 40 years, the mine produces
rubies, sapphires, moonstone, amethyst, and garnets.
❖ Visitors can dig through the dirt in the pile or purchase
a pre-filled bucket and sift through the contents. After
the treasure hunt, the staff will help weigh and identify
the gems and bag them up for the journey home.
Source: www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

6. #8.
North Carolina Zoo
At over 2,000 acres, the NC Zoo is the
largest walk-through zoo in the world,
and one of only two state-owned zoos
in the United States. It has over 1,600
animals from more than 250 species
primarily representing Africa and
North America. The zoo is open 364
days a year and receives more than
700,000 visitors annually.
Source: www.nczoo.org/

7. #7.
North Carolina
Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium has four
coastal locations at Roanoke Island,
Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher, and
Jennette's Pier. While Jennette's Pier is
not an actual aquarium, it does offer
views of marine animals like
humpback whales in their natural
habitat.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

8. ❖ The Roanoke Island location, situated close to Jennette's
Pier, features the largest collection of sharks in the state.
❖ At Pine Knoll Shores, visitors learn about the state's
varied marine life, while Fort Fisher introduces the
freshwater streams, swamps, and open ocean of Cape
Fear.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

9. #6.
Grandfather
Mountain
Hiking at Grandfather Mountain in
Linville ranges from leisurely trails
with picturesque views to
challenging treks that could include
ladders and reward with expansive,
mountainous panoramas. Visitors
can also learn about local flora, or
catch a glimpse of wildlife.
Plan a walk across the park's well-
known Mile High Swinging Bridge, a
highlight that has been in place since
1952 and offers 360-degree views.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

10. #5.
Chimney Rock State
Park
Twenty-five miles southeast of Asheville,
a 315-ft granite spire rises to an elevation
of more than 2,280 ft in Chimney Rock
State Park. There is a 26-story elevator
built inside the mountain, making the trip
to the top an easy excursion for tourists.
Also within the park, the Hickory Nut
Falls Trail is a moderate, mostly-level trail
to the base of the 404-foot Hickory Nut
Falls.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

11. #4.
Linville Gorge and
Falls
Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East,"
Linville Gorge is the deepest and one of
the most scenic gorges in the eastern
United States. The Linville River enters
the gorge at the magnificent 90 ft Linville
Falls, and is one of the most (if not the
most) photographed waterfalls in North
Carolina. The trails here are easy to
moderate, and if you have time, it's worth
viewing the falls from different angles.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

12. #3.
Morehead Planetarium
and Science Center
The Morehead Planetarium and Science
Center, located at the University of North
Carolina in the heart of Chapel Hill, has
been a stop for over seven million guests
since first opening in 1949. The center hosts
multiple shows every day - a schedule that
changes with the seasons. In addition to
regularly shows, there are fun activities
such as a lessons on how to identify
planets, bright stars, and constellations.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

13. #2.
Battleship North
Carolina
Located in Wilmington, the USS
North Carolina was the first of 10
battleships to join the American fleet
in WWII having been commissioned
on April 9, 1941. The vessel is well
armed: there are nine 16-inch, 45-
caliber guns in three turrets, and 20
five-inch, 38-caliber guns in ten twin
mounts.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

14. ❖ She was the world's greatest sea weapon, but today
tourists can wander through the ship to visit the mess
hall, tour the sailor's and officer's quarters, and wander
the expansive deck to see the intimidating guns up-close
and personal.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

15. #1.
The Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate is a large private estate
and tourist attraction in Asheville, North
Carolina. Biltmore House, the main
house on the estate, is a Châteauesque-
styled mansion built by George
Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889
and 1895 and is the largest privately
owned house in the United States.
Source: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/north-carolina-usnc.htm

16. If you liked this piece, please visit:
EricGaulin.info
Eric Gaulin is a man who enjoys
exploration, adventure, and freedom.
Growing up in Rye, N.Y., he was always
close to the ocean by way of the Long
Island Sound. He has been lucky enough
to sail to different parts of the world both
with his family and friends. Living in
New England, Eric has sailed up and
down the Long Island Sound, out to Block
Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket
in what he calls the Cape Tour.