2 North Carolina Spots Among the Most Beautiful In The World

There are countless reasons to get out of town. And there are so many pretty places to choose from. But if you are like me, your travel budget has its limits. These 2 North Carolina spots among the most beautiful in the world list are a good option. And they aren't too far from home if you live in the Charlotte area.

The weather is finally starting to get nice. Time to get outdoors. The experts at Travel and Leisure have taken the guesswork out of where to go if you are looking for a beautiful getaway. Here's the thing, they scoured the globe. 2 North Carolina spots among the most beautiful in the world. Plus, there are 53 other beautiful locations as well.

I think sometimes we overlook this destination because it is so close to home. But one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world is practically in our backyards. Travel and Leisure named The Blue Ridge Parkway in their exclusive list.

Here's what the experts at Travel and Leisure had to say, The Blue Ridge Parkway may lack Highway 101's ocean scenery, but it trades Pacific views for peaceful Appalachian beauty. Stretching 469 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park, the 45 MPH, no-trucks route winds past overlook after overlook, letting road-trippers marvel at the mountains' dreamy blue hue. And y'all you can catch the Parkway in Boone, North Carolina.

This publication loves nature and so do I. That's why I am all in for this second North Carolina location on the list. 2 North Carolina spots among the most beautiful in the world. The second spot among the 55 listed is the Great Smoky Mountains in both North Carolina and Tennessee.

Here's what travelandleisure.com had to say about this North Carolina spot "With half a million acres split by Tennessee and North Carolina, this famous park's wondrous mountain scenery encompasses hardwood forests, steep-sided ravines cut through by rivers and streams, and brilliant wildflowers in bloom from spring to fall. Hikers have 150 trails available to them, from the Appalachian Trail’s Charlies Bunion hike to the more challenging Rainbow Falls route."

2 North Carolina spots among the most beautiful in the world. And they are both fairly close! I hope you get a chance to get out there and enjoy!

USA Today recently had their readers vote for their "10 best" campaign. One of those categories was "The Best Small Towns for Adventure". And not one but two North Carolina towns made the top 10 list! And both are on opposite ends of the state, showcasing the true diversity North Carolina offers. Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors whether you enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, or something else. I was surprised at the top spot on this list, it was actually a town I had never heard of. Whereas the destination I would have guessed would have that spot came in at number 8.

The other thing that surprised me, is that as someone who is not that into outdoor adventures I've been to a fair amount of these.  It's not too late to plan your summer getaway and each of these small towns offers something unique to make it a fantastic option! Or as a handful are mountain towns there could be a good ski trip destination this winter. We've got multiple areas of the country covered as well, so whether you want to fly or drive one of these is doable!

View the full article here or keep reading for the list!

According to USA Today Readers

Gorham is tucked in the Androscoggin Valley of New Hampshire adjacent to the picturesque Presidential Mountain Range making it the perfect adventure destination.

This coastal town gives adventure lovers plenty of options on the water and off!

It's no surprise this mountain town near the Grand Tetons makes the list, the only shock is it's not higher on the list!

Sheridan is halfway between Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore on the eastern side of Wyoming. Adventure lovers can roam the open range on horseback, backpack, or fish in the Wyoming waters.

Any season is the perfect time to take in all that this Vermont mountain town has to offer.

This college town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is just steps away from hiking, rafting, and more.

Its location at the base of Mt. Washington propelled North Conway to the 4th spot on this list.

Taos while home to rich history also has some of the best rafting in New Mexico!

The self-described Western New York playground for outdoor fun is Ellicottville. Activities include skiing and snowboarding, golf, mountain biking, hiking, fishing,  paddle boarding, and kayaking.

Located along the Mississippi River is Savanna Illinois. It's the beginning of the Great River Bike Trail, which is 60 miles of trails. It's also home to the Mississippi Palisades State Park.