Put the cold chill of Canadian winters behind you and head down south to the Tarheel state. Once one of the original 13 U.S. colonies, the "Old North State" now boasts two of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. It also features a diverse landscape that can be thoroughly experienced in a day trip from any one of the comfortable North Carolina hotels dotting the skyline of thriving burgs like Charlotte and Raleigh.
Start your North Carolina adventure in Raleigh, the state capital and a modern, rapidly growing urban area that makes up part of the state's legendary "Research Triangle" along with Durham and Chapel Hill, the respective homes of some of the top research institutions in the country. Some of the best cheap hotel deals in North Carolina can be found near the North Carolina State University campus on sleepy oak-lined streets brimming with casual eateries.
Some of the most charming hotels and attractive rates in North Carolina can be found in Asheville, the premier city of the western half of the state. While the city itself is home to less than 100,000 denizens, it exudes the vitality of a much larger city. Variously hailed as "The Happiest City for Women" by Self magazine and one of the "Top 25 Small Cities for Art" by American Style magazine among numerous other honours. Asheville offers perhaps the best cheap hotel deal in North Carolina throughout the year as the city affords access to all of the state's westernmost gems, including North Carolina's highest peak, Mount Mitchell. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway passes by the sprawling Biltmore Estate, the largest private residence in the country, which includes its own chapel and village. For a special autumnal experience far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, visit during September and October when the leaves in the Blue Ridge mountains turn gold and amber.
One of the busiest times to come to North Carolina is in May, when graduates from the Research Triangle's prestigious universities prepare to receive their degrees. During this time, find North Carolina hotel deals in the form of cabins deep in the picturesque Blue Ridge mountains' conifer forests or North Carolina hotel packages along the state's isolated yet beautiful Outer Banks. Beach bungalows on the outskirts of Wilmington or Morehead City overlooking Onslow Bay's sweeping beaches in the early spring or fall make for a cheap North Carolina hotel deal, and the top marinas in the area may offer a discount on boat rental prices as well.
Book your reservations well in advance when travelling to North Carolina's largest city, Charlotte, during football or basketball season, particularly if you'll be staying in Uptown Charlotte, where Carolina Panthers fans flock to the Bank of America Stadium while the Time Warner Cable Arena hosts the Charlotte Bobcats.