Sunset Beach Park, Sunset Beach
1Sunset Beach Park
Sunset Beach | [map 
]
This little jewel tucked away under the live oaks sits on the Intercoastal waterway. It hosts lovely swings and walking paths overlooking the marsh. You might even see a little fishing boat testing the water.
3Civil War Ironclad Replica
Plymouth, W Water Street| [map ]
Rock Garden of America, Littleton
4Rock Garden of America
Littleton | [map ]
This one is hard to spot in a person’s yard, and we did pass it at first. This is my daughter Bethany Neary enjoying this attraction.
5Largest (Real) Tire
Bladenboro, Hwy 131 N | [map ]
Clamshell Shell Station, Winston-Salem
6Clamshell Shell
Winston-Salem, E Sprague Street | [map]
This clamshell-shaped Shell service station was built in the 1930s, and in 1976 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is the last remaining clamshell station out of eight in this area. It’s a short detour from I-40 and near Kermit’s Hot Dog House!
7Dinosaur Skeleton Sculptures
Pikeville, Hwy 581 | [map ]
Cascade Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
8Cascade Falls
Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 272.5 | [map ]
Approach the Blue Ridge Parkway turnoff to E.B. Jeffress Park and gaze upon a magnificent, expansive view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A trail to the left takes you on a gradual descent through a deeply forested greenway, trees taller than three stories high, skirted by rhododendrons and other native plants. In no time you’re face-to-face with Cascade Falls, a broad waterway that tumbles over massive rock formations. You’ll never forget this experience!
25-ft-tall American Indian Statue, Cherokee
9American Indian Statue
Cherokee, Paint Town Road | [map ]
This statue has been standing there for at least three decades and stands on a drum. His headdress is half missing now.
10World’s Largest Strawberry
Ellerbe, Cargo Road | [map ]
11Dale Earnhardt Statue
Kannapolis, S Main Street | [map ]
12Shoe House
Lincolnton, Hwy 182 | [map ]
13House of Mugs/Cup House
Collettsville, Old Johns River Road | [map ]
Occoneechee Trapper’s Lodge, Garysburg
14Occoneechee Trapper’s Lodge
Garysburg, 10 miles off I-95 | [map ]
This was definitely our favorite roadside attraction on our trip to visit our daughter in eastern NC. You could spend hours looking at this lodge! This is me looking out from this amazing cabin! Folk art at it’s finest.
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More travel ideas around the NC coastal region
Nature and History in Harmony at Pettigrew State Park
A northeastern NC state park and a historic site are intertwined in time and place
Dive into Maritime History
Visit a blockade runner where she’s rested for 150 years
Take a Ride on the Beach
Saddle up and see the Outer Banks from a new perspective