Tourism

Where are we now?

Although the mountains and the coast generate the most tourist activity, the industry is growing in the center of the State, too. The Piedmont (or Heartland) offers many historical, cultural, and natural resources as attractions. In the mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway and nearby areas see over 12 million visitors a year.

Did you know?

The Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country!

Tourism provides people in rural areas with opportunities where development of other industries is usually limited.

The future of tourism in our state depends on our ability to protect our large landscapes, our wild places, country lanes, small towns, traditional farming, forestry practices, and the presentation and promotion of our history and culture.