This stuffed pigeon of war had the very serious name "John Silver" until he lost a leg in battle.

A real flying saucer, contracted by the U.S. Air Force.

You can walk through the first Boeing Air Force One, which famously carried JFK's casket from Dallas back to D.C.

Inside houses a vast collection of military aircraft and missiles spanning the ages.

This granite rock face is named for the magnificent reflection that occurs when the sun hits it just right.

This forest school's long history lets today's visitors experience resource management learnings in a beautiful environment.

This Transylvania County city is home to a rare white squirrel population that is descended from an escaped carnival animal.

The author's beautiful and historic home is also a fully functioning goat farm.

These tree-filled acres are also filled with history, hiking and a celebration of Appalachian crafts.

Classy up your Big Mac with bow-tied servers and chandeliers at the world's fanciest McDonald's.

The enormous 250-room Vanderbilt mansion conceals hidden doors and secret passageways.

Every week, a festive public jam session breaks out in downtown Asheville.

This giant iron playfully pays tribute to an early 20th-century architectural trend.

An early life spent in this "Old Kentucky Home" inspired the writings of North Carolina's most famous novelist.

This bridge is haunted by the ghost of a distraught mother.

The U.S. Supreme Court's secret Cold War relocation facility in the mountains of North Carolina.

A wonderful display of arts and crafts handmade by local artisans in the Southern Appalachians.

Gnarled canopies of pink and purple wildflowers arch over the trail to the summit.

The highest point in North Carolina and the United States east of the Mississippi River, Mount Mitchell is named after argumentative explorer Elisha Mitchell.

With print dying, this local paper keeps the lights on by doubling as a stunning cafe and cocktail bar.

Larger-than-life cut-out murals of James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor, dedicated to their 1956 film ‘Giant.’