September kicks off my favorite season in North Carolina, no matter the part of the state I happen to be in. Whether it is harvest time in eastern North Carolina, the coastline where the temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy the beach but the crowds have cleared out, or leaf season in western North Carolina, there is something for everyone to enjoy during this time. North Carolina really shows out and it’s the perfect time to take a socially distant day trip or overnight stay to experience the beauty of the state. While there are some iconic places to take photos, which may warrant another post later by the way, these are some of my favorite spots in North Carolina. Here are 10 of the best places to photograph in North Carolina.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to read my love letter to North Carolina here. You can find my ultimate bucket list for North Carolina here.
Local Love: 10 Best Places to Photograph in North Carolina
The Best Places to Photograph in Eastern North Carolina
Airlie Gardens in Wilmington
I absolutely adore Wilmington and the Airlie Gardens are perfect any time of year. See more from our recent trips to Wilmington during the early Spring and late Fall linked.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath
My best friend moved to Bath last year and visiting her was my first time in the oldest town in North Carolina. We did a little bit of exploring in this beautiful, quaint town and spent a little time in the oldest standing church in North Carolina. If you’re looking for a pretty day trip to take, I highly recommend driving down to Bath and working your way back through Belhaven and Washington for a lovely afternoon of casual sightseeing.
Silver Lake Sunset at Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke holds such a special place in my heart and to be honest, it’s hard to find spots that aren’t photogenic in some way or another. However, my camera roll has a ton of pictures featuring the sunsets over Silver Lake, and honestly, they never get old IMO. See more of my favorite things to do on Ocracoke here.
The Waterfront in Washington, NC
Washington is another one of my very favorite places in North Carolina. When I was in college, I worked at a boutique there with my best friend and had some of the best times experiencing this beautiful town. The waterfront on the Pamlico River is such a gorgeous spot to spend an evening walking along after dinner.
Looking for more about eastern North Carolina? Check out my favorites here.
The Best Places to Photograph in Central North Carolina
The Belties at Fearrington Village
Photos by Tammy Torres Photography
Fearrington Village is such a lovely experience and is only about 30 minutes from Raleigh. I love to spend an afternoon here exploring the restaurants and shops. If you decide to spend the night, which I highly recommend btw, grab a coffee or a glass of wine and head out to the Adirondack chairs to take in the scenery. The belties are a must!
The Reynolda House in Winston-Salem
I consistently rave about Winston-Salem and am always recommending it for a weekend trip or a day trip if you leave early and are comfortable getting back a little late. The Reynolda House has so much to offer, and is truly one of the most beautiful spots in the city. Read more about my favorite things to do in Winston-Salem here and here.
The Rooftop at the Dillon in Raleigh
Photos by Glory Roze Photography
It’s no secret that I love a good rooftop, and the one at the Dillon serves up some of the best views of the Raleigh skyline. It’s also located in the Warehouse District, which has some of my favorite spots including Junction West, Barcelona, and Heirloom Coffee.
Looking for more about central North Carolina? Check out my favorites here.
The Best Places to Photograph in Western North Carolina
Mose Cone Park in Blowing Rock
I recently spent a weekend in Blowing Rock and it is so hard to pick a favorite spot to photograph in this gorgeous town. But, honestly, Mose Cone Park has so much to offer. My favorite spot is to take a picture of the house with Bass Lake in the foreground.
The Mile High Bridge at Grandfather Mountain
I cannot begin to tell you the anxiety attack I had when I went across the Mile High Bridge at Grandfather Mountain. Thankfully, David is much better at heights and letting go of control than I am, and made it across without having the full shakes to take beautiful photos. Me, on the other hand, laid down on the rocks on the other side of the bridge hyperventilating and shaking so hard that I couldn’t stand. All that aside, I’m still glad I did it, and I’d like to think that maybe I’d be less of a control freak now than I was two years ago.
The Treetop Soaking Tub at Lakeview at Fontana
The views from the treetop soaking tub at Lakeview at Fontana are the best there are. This is such a unique experience and one that I hope to replicate again in the future. It is such a beautiful location at Lakeview anyway; however, the treetop soaking tub really makes it worthwhile.
Looking for more about western North Carolina? Check out my favorites here.
What do you think are some of the best places to photograph in North Carolina? Tell me in the comments below!
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