Tour Highlights

 Wheels thru Time

 Tryon Centre

 NASCAR Hall of Fame

 Charlotte Motor Speedway

 Mustang Owners Museum

 Battleship North Carolina

 Ferry

 Wild Horses

 Wright Brothers and first flight

 Ray Price Drag Museum

Asheville:

Start your itinerary in Asheville, Set in Western North Carolina in the foothills of the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains, the Asheville area is named a must-see destination by Frommer's. It boasts a thriving arts community, diverse outdoor adventures, a vibrant and inviting downtown, numerous historic and architectural attractions, and unique shopping options.

Asheville is situated near to the Cherokee Heritage Centre where visitors can learn about the life of the Cherokee Indian during the time of the Cherokee Nation and their removal along the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma.

A must on any stay in Asheville is a visit to America's largest home in the USA, the mighty Biltmore Estate. Completed in 1895, George Vanderbilt’s 250-room chateau is as impressive today as it was more than a century ago. Biltmore House is truly a wonder of architecture and hospitality, complete with 8,000 acres of magnificent gardens and vineyards - a truly unique experience.

For your first “Horse Power” fix then a visit to Wheels Thru Time is a must, located 35 miles west of Asheville in Maggie Valley this museum is a veritable gem!

Wheels Thru Time

Wheels Through Time Museum is the home to the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles, memorabilia, and a distinct array of unique “one off” American automobiles. The museum is located just 5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The Wheels Through Time Museum houses a collection of over 350 rare machines comprised of 25 makes including Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior, Henderson, Pope, Yale, Crocker, Flying Merkel, and many more.

Asheville to Mill Springs – 45 Miles

If you prefer your Horse Power in the form of four legs then a visit to the Tryon Equestrian Centre is a must, located a mere 45 miles South of Asheville in Mill Springs, the centre was home to the 2018 World Equestrian Games

Tryon Equestrian Centre

Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) has quickly become an international hub for many of the world’s top equestrian athletes. They welcome guests 365 days a year to watch, dine, shop, and experience one of the premier riding facilities in the world built for the love of horses and the sport.

Watch riders and horses from all over the United States compete at TIEC from the comfort of the elevated viewing areas around each ring with ample shade and seating. Designed spectators in mind!

Admission to all their horse shows is free and open to the public with complimentary parking. Competitions generally start at 8am and wind down in the late afternoon through 5pm.

During non-competition weeks, Tryon hosts other events including festivals and concerts. “Saturday Night Lights” is a Grand Prix equestrian event featuring food, fun, live music, and the highest level of competitive show jumping on select Saturday evenings throughout the year. Bring the whole family: admission, parking and carousel rides are all free!

Mill Springs to Charlotte – 82 miles

As the largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte has character to spare! A modern city with big city style and home-town appeal, you'll be sure to easily fill your stay here!

Charlotte delivers unique cultural attractions along with great dining and nightlife for every persuasion, and with a Southern ambiance all its own.

During your stay in this lively city, be sure to experience the Levine Museum of the New South, the Mint Museum of Art and for the Horse Power fix then the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a must

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

If you need a more fuel-filled adrenalin rush, then visit the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the experience of a lifetime and a ride around the track or take to the dragstrip for a truly unique experience. Learn the illustrious history of each track while taking in the sights and sounds of Americas Home for Racing!

The complex features a 1.5 mi (2.4 km) quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, the NASCAR All-Star Race, and the Bank of America Roval 400. The speedway was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area.

The 2,000 acres (810 ha) complex also features a state-of-the-art quarter mile (0.40 km) drag racing strip, ZMAX Dragway. It is the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the United States and hosts NHRA events. Alongside the drag strip is a state-of-the-art clay oval that hosts dirt racing including the World of Outlaws finals among other popular racing events.

 
Mustang Owners Museum

On the 55th anniversary of the original pony car’s debut, the Mustang Owner’s Museum in Concord opens with a four-day celebration that includes a “Year of the Mustang” event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a hall of fame induction ceremony, and an attempt to break the Guinness World’s Record for a Mustang parade.

Charlotte to Wilmington – 198 miles (suggest overnight in Pinehurst 91 Miles and then head over to Wilmington 135Miles

From Wilmington’s vibrant riverfront and scenic Riverwalk that winds around the storied Cape Fear River to three colorful island beaches, there’s something about the water here that surrounds, transforms, and enthralls visitors. One destination with four unique settings creates a bounty of vibrant vacation experiences. Come explore North Carolina’s most accessible coastal destination flowing with energy and creativity.

Battleship North Carolina

Explore the refurbished WWII Battleship starting with the Observation Deck. The self-guided tour features nine levels of living spaces, mess decks, gun turrets, powder storage, sick bay, and more. Serving as a memorial for the 11,000 North Carolinians who died during the war, the Battleship is open every day. This is an historic adventure you don't want to miss. The SECU Memorial Walkway around the Battleship is now open Battleship Hours and is accessible and free to the public.

Congratulations! The Battleship was voted #2 Best North Carolina Attraction in 10Best and USA TODAY's 2018 Readers' Choice Contest!

Wilmington – Morehead City – 100 Miles

Downtown Morehead City is bustling year-round with a mix of fishing charters, dive and tour boats, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, antiques and a rich seafaring history.

Stroll and discover quaint shops to find that perfect gift, painting, jewelry, clothing, local art, books, home accessories or antiques. In the late afternoon, watch as the fishermen bring in their catches of the day on docks overlooking Sugarloaf Island. In the evenings enjoy a cold drink outdoors or a diverse selection of restaurants in Downtown Morehead City, from an elegant dinner to appetizers.

Morehead City – Cedar Island – 41 Miles

Ferry to Ocracoke – Approx 2.5 hours

Experienced Outer Banks travellers attest that a local ferry ride either to or from the barrier island shorelines is a huge part of the fun, and a relaxing 2.25 hour cruise across the Pamlico Sound is certainly a welcome diversion for many road-weary travellers.

Drive the length of Ocracoke Island – 16 Miles

Ocracoke is a village on Ocracoke Island, part of North Carolina's coastal Outer Banks region. The landmark 1823 Ocracoke Lighthouse overlooks the village and Pamlico Sound. Set in an early 1900s house, the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum traces the island’s history. Nearby, the tiny British Cemetery contains the graves of WWII sailors. Silver Lake is dotted with boats, and shops and restaurants line its harbor.

Ferry Ocracoke Island to Hatteras – Approx 40 Mins

Hatteras – Kitty Hawk – 72 Miles

Outer Banks

It's time now to head for the North Carolina coast, along with the islands that make up the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. This area is home to some of the most undeveloped seashore in the United States where along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore you will find the tallest lighthouse in North America at Cape Hatteras, one of a number of lighthouses on the Outer Banks.

Whether it is history or the great outdoors, the Outer Banks has something for everyone!

Visit Kitty Hawk, home of the Wright Brothers memorial where the first powered flight took place and where you can try your hand at hang gliding on the giant sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head.

Wright Brothers Memorial

A totally different form of Horse Power is available here at the Wright Brothers Memorial, where two brothers with an 8HP engine achieved something that changed the world forever – the first powered flight!!

After two years of restoration work, the visitor centre at the Wright Brothers National Memorial reopened on 20th October with all-new exhibits that reflect the journey as well as the achievement of first flight. Interactive displays reveal an intimate look at Wilbur and Orville Wright, their inspirations and setbacks, why they chose Kitty Hawk for their experiments, and key people in their lives. A 16-screen video wall displays images of the brothers, their flying machines, scenes of flight and inspirational quotes. The life size replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, which had been on view in Raleigh during the restoration, returned to the visitor centre (the original is at the Smithsonian), which was named a National Historic Landmark in 2001.

See wild horses roam free on the North Carolina coast

Wild horses roam the beaches of the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast, take a guided tour to see them at Corolla and Shackleford Banks.

For 500 years, the most enduring – and endearing – residents of the Outer Banks, the wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs, have called this sliver of land between sound and sea home.

They’re feral horses descended from a herd brought here by explorers as early as the 1520s, and are recognized as the state horse of North Carolina. How they got here is a bit of a mystery. It’s said that some swam ashore from shipwrecks while others were castoffs of failed settlements, left to flourish on these untouched barrier islands for hundreds of years.

Today, you’ll find the largest herds of feral horses at the extreme ends of the Outer Banks. Corolla, to the north, and Shackleford Banks, the southernmost of the barrier-island chain, have herds of around 120 stallions, mares and foals that call their beaches and dunes home.

Adventurous visitors can get a close-up view of the horses by taking one of many guided tours offered at both Corolla and Shackleford Banks. Remember, the horses are wild animals and you should always maintain a safe distance of 50 feet. While taking pictures of the horses is encouraged, feeding them is not.

Kitty Hawk to Raleigh – 207 Miles

Say goodbye to the Outer Banks as you head to the state capital of Raleigh, (don’t miss out on trying some boiled peanuts on the way) It's more than a trip to a blossoming Southern metropolis—you'll feel enriched and energized the instant you're warmly welcomed by its smart, savvy locals.

Invigorate your senses by sampling the many flavors of cutting-edge Southern cuisine enhanced by artisan craft brews and spirits. Get your toes tapping to the sounds of emerging music and bands, as well as rollicking bluegrass festivals and more. Discover gifts and treasures from local boutiques, including many handmade and custom designs for truly eclectic finds. And, join in broadening your horizons through an enticing array of visual and performing arts exhibitions.

Raleigh may be quiet about the fact that it's leading in most recent quality-of-life rankings, but the fact is, you'll enjoy visiting as much as people enjoy living here. Come see what the city will inspire in you. Its authenticity is homegrown by passionate locals, rooted in Raleigh.

AND for that final Horse Power fix - WELCOME TO THE RAY PRICE LEGENDS OF HARLEY® DRAG RACING MUSEUM

Located on the upper floor balcony of the main Harley Davidson showroom in Raleigh, the Drag Racing Museum is open to the public during our store hours.

As is often said in the Harley world,” it's not the destination, it's the journey.” This journey goes down memory lane—down the hundreds of quarter-mile and eighth-mile tracks. You'll “meet“ some of the drag racers who have smoked the tires, made a perfect launch, got a great reaction time and set a new record.

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