points of view

See North Carolina from a new perspective.

By David Wortman

North Carolina may be best known for its down-home cooking and rolling farmland, but its scenic mountain landscapes and thriving cities are attracting increasing numbers of nature lovers and urban adventurers. From the soaring summits of the Great Smoky Mountains and the vibrant energy of downtown areas to the windswept beaches of the outer banks, there’s a lot more to the Tarheel State than many visitors ever see.

A variety of destinations within a couple of hours drive from Charlotte, the state’s largest city, beckons visitors with sweeping views over verdant mountains, lively downtowns and beaches stretching for miles.

Charlotte’s seen a resurgence over the last few years, and there’s no better place to soak in the city’s views than over dinner or cocktails at Bentley’s on 27. Perched on the 27th floor, high atop the Charlotte Plaza Building, visitors dine on classic American-French cuisine like steak au poivre and Alaskan king crab legs while soaking in the views of Charlotte’s vibrant skyline, dominated by the gleaming towers of Wachovia and Bank of America.

While there is a lot to do in the city, don’t plan to eat and run at Bentley’s. Owner Jim Emad says that customers are invited to linger in the custom Italian leather chairs and peruse the list of nearly 400 wines. “We’ve had a lot of people propose here,” Emad says, and it’s little wonder why.

Two hours west of Charlotte, the town of Asheville nestles in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, offering a colorful arts and dining scene as well as year-round outdoor recreation. Asheville Hot Air Balloons offers one of the most unique ways to see the city’s postcard setting. The company offers rides that gently climb to an altitude between 500 and 2,000 feet. From there, the winds will carry you, and you’ll silently float above the mountains and nearby Pisgah National Forest as you sip complimentary champagne. In the fall, you can gaze down at mountainsides awash in red, yellow and gold. The company offers one-hour, year-round rides seven days a week.

A few miles northwest of Charlotte, meander along North Carolina’s section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you’ll find a parade of views over valleys and ridges stretching off to the horizon. The parkway spans 469 miles between Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park and North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From early spring through summer, its roadsides come alive with the creamy blooms of dogwood, the state flower, along with other beautiful flowers.

At milepost 355 along the parkway, 33 miles north of Asheville, a worthwhile side trip takes you to the 1,855-acre Mt. Mitchell State Park and the lofty summit of Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. Rising more than 6,000 feet, Mt. Mitchell offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling ridges and fertile valleys.

In 2001, a new 1,385-square-foot exhibit hall opened at the foot of the short trail leading to the summit, providing visitors with museum-quality exhibits on the area’s natural and cultural resources, while the mountain’s new observation deck offers even more views.

When conservationist John Muir visited North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain in 1898, he described the experience as, “the face of all Heaven come to earth.” Today, the privately owned and globally recognized nature preserve greets visitors with 360-degree views of mountain ridge after mountain ridge retreating to the horizon from its lofty summit. About 100 miles northwest of Charlotte, the mountain was recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1992. A drive to its summit is capped by the Mile High Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot-long footbridge spanning an 80-foot chasm, which leads to Linville Peak. The preserve offers hikers 11 trails varying in difficulty, from gentle forest walks to rigorous treks across rugged peaks, as well as wildlife and visitor centers.

While North Carolina’s mountains offer some of the state’s best views, its miles of sandy beaches and coastline provide similarly rich rewards. Bald Head Lighthouse, towering over the boat-access-only Bald Head Island (also called Smith Island) off the southern coast, reigns over the island’s bucolic landscape and offers sweeping views of the surrounding coastline. (Ferries run regularly to Bald Head Island from Southport.)

As the oldest lighthouse still standing in the state, the restored monument, nicknamed “Old Baldy,” is rich in history. Its light and radio beacons mark the entrance to the Cape Fear River, guiding ships past the dangerous Frying Pan Shoals that stretch seven miles out into the Atlantic. A replica of the 1850s light keeper’s cottage adjacent to the lighthouse is the Smith Island Museum, displaying artifacts and commemorating more than 400 years of the region’s maritime history.

Climb the lighthouse’s 112 wooden steps for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding ocean and the island’s peaceful landscape, dotted by vacation homes where residents and guests travel by foot, bicycles and golf carts. At the mainland ferry terminal, stroll the streets of cozy Southport, where you’ll find antique shops and a maritime museum.

Two hours west of Charlotte, Chimney Rock Park, a recent addition to the state’s extensive park system, offers jaw-dropping views from the precipice of 315-foot-high Chimney Rock. Accessible by either a 20-minute hike or a 26-story elevator blasted through the rock, Chimney Rock’s views extend 75 miles across the Blue Ridge Mountains and down into the depths of Hickory Nut Gorge.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the park has partnered with a private guide service to offer rock climbing to the top, suited to a wide range of abilities and climbers of all ages.

In North Carolina, in order to see it all, take to the skies and get a whole new perspective on this rich and diverse region. The view from above is the greatest view of all. ■

MIDWEST AIRLINES offers daily flights to and from North Carolina. Details can be found at www.midwestairlines.com.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Bentley’s on 27
www.bentleyson27.com
704-343-9201

Asheville Hot Air Balloons
www.ashevillehotairballoons.com
828-667-9943

Mt. Mitchell State Park
www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/momi/home.html
828-675-4611

Grandfather Mountain
www.grandfather.com
800-468-7325

Bald Head Lighthouse & Smith Island Museum
www.oldbaldy.org
910-457-5003

Chimney Rock Park
www.chimneyrockpark.com
828-625-9611