One of my absolute favorite things to do when I am out riding around is to find roadside oddities and attractions. I have been known to make many a U-turn while driving down the road. This page will be dedicated to any roadside attractions that I have found in the state of North Carolina.
It will be a constant work in progress as I will add new oddities and attractions every time I find one. Make sure you check back often for new updates. Better yet, subscribe to my site so you will be informed each time content is added. Don’t worry, no spam here. I only send out emails once a week, usually on Fridays. Subscribe Here
Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
Location: 4160 US-70
City: Claremont
Region of State Located: West/Central
Google Maps Pin
Located in Claremont, the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is a rare and remarkable piece of North Carolina’s heritage, standing as one of only two remaining historic covered bridges in the entire state. Built in 1895 by Andy L. Ramsour, the 85-foot span crosses Lyle’s Creek and is the only surviving example in the world of the wooden Haupt truss design, a complex engineering feat originally patented by Civil War General Herman Haupt. While the bridge was originally open to vehicle traffic, it was retired from service in the 1920s and later restored by the Catawba County Historical Association. Today, it serves as the centerpiece of a quiet, wooded park, allowing visitors to walk through its timber-framed interior and experience a unique slice of 19th-century craftsmanship that cannot be found anywhere else on the globe.
Large Dresser
Location: 508 North Hamilton Street
City: High Point
Region of State Located: North/Central
Google Maps Pin
In the city of High Point, the “Furniture Capital of the World,” the World’s Largest Chest of Drawers stands as a whimsical 36-foot-tall monument to the region’s industrial heritage. Originally built in 1926 as a 20-foot-tall “Bureau of Information,” the structure was completely renovated in 1996 into its current Queen Anne-style appearance. The most charming detail is a pair of mismatched, six-foot-long socks dangling from the middle drawer, a clever nod to High Point’s history as a hosiery manufacturing hub. While it appears to be a massive piece of furniture from the street, it is actually the facade of a functional office building. This iconic roadside landmark has become a mandatory photo stop for travelers, perfectly capturing the creative and industrious spirit of the North Carolina Piedmont.
Linn Cove Viaduct
Location: 3218 Blue Ridge Parkway
(Milepost 304 Blue Ridge Parkway)
City: Bamboo
Region of State Located: North/West
Google Maps Pin
The Linn Cove Viaduct is a breathtaking feat of engineering and environmental preservation, often described as the “missing link” of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Completed in 1987, this 1,243-foot S-shaped bridge was designed to snake around the rugged slopes of Grandfather Mountain without damaging its fragile ecosystem, making it a masterpiece of harmonizing infrastructure with nature.
The Linn Cove Visitor Center: Located at the southern end, the visitor center features detailed exhibits about the complex construction process and provides access to the Tanawha Trail, which offers spectacular viewpoints of the bridge’s graceful curves.
Engineering Ingenuity: To minimize the construction footprint, the viaduct was built using 153 precast concrete segments that were lowered into place by a crane moving across the bridge itself, rather than using heavy equipment on the ground below.
Environmental Stewardship: By choosing this elevated design over traditional road-cutting methods, engineers were able to protect the boulder-strewn terrain and rare plant life that thrive on the slopes of the mountain.
The “Floating” Experience: Driving across the viaduct feels like flying above the forest canopy, offering unobstructed views of the rolling peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Linville Falls
Location: 8890 NC Highway 183
(Milepost 316 Blue Ridge Parkway)
City: Linville Falls
Region of State Located: West/Central
Google Maps Pin
Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians,” Linville Falls is one of the most photographed and spectacular waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located at Milepost 316.4, the falls drop 90 feet into the rugged Linville Gorge, a dramatic wilderness area known for its steep cliffs and dense forest. What makes this site a “roadside must” is the sheer variety of views; a network of trails leads visitors to different overlooks, including the popular Erwin’s View and the towering Chimney View, each offering a unique perspective on the river’s powerful descent through the ancient rock. It serves as a perfect natural counterpart to the nearby engineering of the Linn Cove Viaduct, showcasing the raw, untamed beauty that the Parkway was built to celebrate.
Pisgah Covered Bridge
Location: 6925 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd
City: Asheboro
Region of State Located: Central
Google Maps Pin
Tucked away in the Uwharrie National Forest near Asheboro, the Pisgah Covered Bridge is a serene and humble landmark that serves as one of North Carolina’s final two historic covered bridges. Built in 1911 at a cost of only $40, this 54-foot span over the West Fork of the Little River is a classic example of the Queen Post truss design. While it was tragically washed away during a massive flood in 2003, the local community rallied to recover over 90 percent of the original timbers from the riverbed, painstakingly reconstructing the bridge to its former glory. Today, it stands as a resilient symbol of local pride and craftsmanship, offering a peaceful, shaded retreat where visitors can walk through the historic wooden structure and enjoy the quiet beauty of the surrounding woods.
There is a parking area and a nature walk making this a great stop!!!
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