The North Carolina Mountains provide opportunity for many activities,
including mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and canoeing. Nearby Asheville and
the Biltmore Estate, America's largest private home, offer gorgeous
architecture. The Outer Banks, including the Cape Hatteras National Seashore,
are great for relaxing on the beach or partaking in a number of water
activities. Here also is the Battleship North Carolina, a World War II veterans'
memorial, located in Wilmington. The University of North Carolina, Duke
University, and Shaw University make North Carolina a hotbed of intellect as
well, their host cities comprising the famous Research Triangle.