Piedmont Triad

North Carolinians love to boast about their many vacation options. With the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the state seems to offer an embarrassment of riches -- it's the part in the middle that tends to get less attention.

But the Piedmont Triad area -- anchored by the three central cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point -- deserves to take its rightful place as a great destination for residents and visitors alike. Historically known for textiles, tobacco, and furniture, the Triad has become a growing metro area that offers enough in the way of culture, outdoor activities, museums, and shopping to satisfy the most discerning traveler.

Some notable Triad attractions include a memorial to the original Woolworth's sit-ins at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, and the living history museum and village in Old Salem where visitors can interact with costumed staff members. Asheboro boasts the North Carolina Zoo, the largest zoo in the United States.

In the northern part of the Triad, you'll find Pilot Mountain State Park and nearby Hanging Rock State Park -- both of which offer miles of trails, rock climbing, fishing, camping, and spectacular views. If small-town appeal is what you're looking for, you can't miss it in Mount Airy, the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry portrayed in "The Andy Griffith Show."

The Triad promises a relaxed and laid-back lifestyle for those who prefer the slow lane, and the NASCAR racetrack Carraway Speedway in Asheboro for those who don't.

Wherever you go in the Triad, you'll find great dining options -- perhaps to be expected from the home of both Texas Pete and Krispy Kreme. Lexington bills itself as the "barbecue capital of the world" and hosts a popular annual barbecue festival.

Thanks to the weather-shielding properties of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Triad tends to have a mild climate, which may be why it is becoming known as a golfer's paradise. With an average of 262 playable days a year, an abundance of golf courses with affordable green fees, and graceful, rolling terrain, the Triad has become a golf destination in its own right. For public golf courses, Tanglewood Park in Clemmons tends to get raves, as do Bryan Park and The Grandover in Greensboro.