Survey: What are NC’s lesser-known treasures? Help us find the state’s hidden gems

North Carolina is an explorer’s dream, with a landscape that stretches from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast. Whether you’re into hiking through pine forests, relaxing on the beach, exploring historic towns or sampling classic Southern food, there’s something here for everyone.

It’s no surprise that places like the Biltmore Estate, the Outer Banks and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are featured in most North Carolina travel lists. With so many postcard-worthy spots across the state, it’s easy to miss the quieter, obscure destinations that make North Carolina unique.

That’s where you come in.

The Fayetteville Observer wants to know: What are the lesser-known treasures everyone should visit in North Carolina? Maybe it’s a small town with big charm, a trail you’ve hiked a dozen times, a hole-in-the-wall barbecue joint or a swimming hole that only locals know about. Survey responses will be collected for a follow-up look at the most worthwhile places to visit across the state, according to readers.

What’s on your list?

Take the survey below or linked here to help us shine a spotlight on places that might not be famous but are absolutely worth the trip.

Survey closes May 25.

Reporter Lizmary Evans covers dining, retail, entertainment and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com.