10 Fun Facts About North Carolina You Might Not Know

Welcome to North Carolina! Home to great people, great food, and even better views depending on where you are. North Carolina offers tourists and residents tons of things to do and see. From its rich history to its many cities and modern architecture. You can go from the beach to the mountains or from the countryside to downtown city life all in one state. But, are there any hidden gems you may not know about North Carolina? Little North Carolina fun facts you may be interested in knowing.

Every state has its quirks and weird things you may not know or may want to know. North Carolina is no different. The Tar Heel state has some of the most fascinating historical fun facts you may find intriguing. Best Things North Carolina knows that and decided to share some of those fun facts with you! These fun facts help make North Carolina what it is and what we have all grown to love. Check out these 10 fun facts about North Carolina you might not know!

Did you know North Carolina has the tallest brick lighthouse in the country? Cape Hatteras was built in 1802 and it stands at 210 feet tall.

Well, this you may have not known! Virginia Dare was the first English child born in America and was born in Roanoke, NC in 1587.  She has become a significant figure in American myth and folklore. 

Think you already knew this one. North Carolina is the home to Pepsi. The famous soft drink was created in New Bern, North Carolina, in 1893 by Caleb Bradhem. 

We probably all learned this one in elementary school. In 1903, the famous Wright Brothers made the first successful powered flight in North Carolina at Kill Devil Hills.

North Carolina’s state vegetable is the sweet potato. We are also the biggest sweet potato producer in the country. North Carolina has held the top spot in production for over four decades.

Located in Asheville, the Biltmore Estate is the largest private home in the United States with over 250 rooms. 

Did you know America’s first public university was the University of North Carolina? Now known as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the school has a total enrollment of nearly 30,000 students. 

Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1914.

Did you know the Outer Banks of North Carolina are known as “The Graveyard of the Atlantic”? This is because more than a thousand shipwrecks have been discovered in the area.