Unusual Attractions in North Carolina

When most tourists visit North Carolina, popular attractions such as the Biltmore House in the mountains or Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on the coast top the list of attractions they plan to take in. However, North Carolina is home to many more attractions. When planning your next family vacation, why not take a trip off the beaten path and check out some of these unusual attractions.

Big Furniture Attractions

North Carolina is the furniture capital of the world so it should be no surprise that the state holds some of the largest furniture in the world. Visit High Point to view a 38 foot tall freestanding chest of drawers, complete with stockings hanging from a drawer. Nearby, a local business has converted the front of their building to resemble a chest of drawers over 80 feet tall. Thomasville is home to another unusual attraction, an 18 foot Duncan Phyfe chair resting on a 12 foot pedestal. The world's largest hammock can be found in Point Harbor. Made of almost 10,000 feet of rope, it is 42 feet long and can hold up to 8,000 pounds.

Fields of the Woods

The small town of Murphy, located in the westernmost region of North Carolina, is home to Fields of the Woods. Built in 1945 by the Church of God of Prophecy, Fields of the Woods boasts both the world's largest 10 Commandments and the world's largest testament. The 10 Commandments are an astonishing 300 feet wide and are visible from space.

Belhaven Memorial Museum

If you're looking for a touch of the weird, you can't go wrong with Belhaven Memorial Museum in Belhaven. This unusual attraction holds the collections of an eccentric woman, Mrs. Eva Blount Way. Exhibits include a two-headed kitten, a flea bride and groom complete with wedding attire, a 20 pound tumor, and many other odd and unusual items.

Country Doctor Museum

You can view the instruments used to amputate Stonewall Jackson's arm at the Country Doctor Museum in Bailey, North Carolina. Other exhibits at the museum include an iron lung; Civil War field operating tables; the famous painting "Christ the Apothecary of the Soul," one of only three in existence; a genuine fake leg; and more.

World's Largest Twins & World's Largest Granite Tombstone

Henderson also offers an unusual attraction. The town is home to the grave site of Benny and Billy McCrary, the world's largest twins. They rode Honda minibikes around the US and wrestled under the name McGuire. The tombstone atop their grave is also a record holder as the world's largest granite tombstone.

Anatomy Attractions

If you've ever been curious about the human body, there a couple unusual attractions in the state that will interest you. At the Lenoir Memorial Hospital Heath and Science Museum in Kinston, you can walk through the large scale model of the digestive system, starting in the mouth. Along the way sensors are activated to describe the functions of each part. The museum also offers a crawl-through model of a blood vessel, as well as other health and science related exhibits. Located in North Carolina's capital Raleigh, the Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education is home to a transparent anatomical woman as well as a walk-through brain. Kids will enjoy the anatomy playground nearby which features giant ears, a tongue slide and more.

Brown Mountain Lights

If you happen to be in Morganton, you might get lucky and catch sight of the Brown Mountain Lights. These mysterious lights appear at random intervals. There have been reports of sightings dating back to the 1200s. Despite investigations by the US Geological Survey, the Smithsonian Institute, the US Weather Bureau, as well as many other scientists, there is no clear explanation for this unusual attraction. Cherokee legend explains the lights as the spirits of Indian maidens searching for their loved ones who died in the great battle between the Cherokee and Catawba Indians near Brown Mountain.

Digger's Dungeon

Fans of monster trucks will enjoy an unusual attraction found in Poplar Branch. Digger's Dungeon is home to Grave Digger, one of the most well-known monster trucks. Visitors can check out a full-scale version out front, then go inside to sit in a monster truck. Scraps of previous Grave Diggers hang from the ceiling of the gift shop. Next door you can tour a garage and watch some of the monster truck maintenance in progress.

These are only a few of the many unusual attractions North Carolina has to offer. Don't be surprised if you find more on your travels through the Tarheel State.

Sources

personal experience

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/