Tagged: Tourism

A research firm says the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences was the most visited of the state’s museums and historic attractions last year.   It’s the first time in nine years that Biltmore Estate has not topped the list.  Mathews-based Carolina Publishing Associates compiled the numbers.  The firm says 1,220,814 people visited the museum in 2012.  Biltmore attracted 1,123,144 visitors.

Dare County brought in a record amount of occupancy taxes in 2012 while a record number of sea turtles nested on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  Numbers from the Outer Banks Visitors' Bureau show Dare County collected $382 million in occupancy taxes through November of 2012 compared to $367 million during the same period the year before.  The county levies the tax on hotels, motels and beach houses.  At the same time, park rangers reported a record 222 sea turtle nests in 2012. 

With summer drawing to a close, thoughts turn to fall...and the tradition of leaf-peeping in Western North Carolina. While much of the country has been in drought, North Carolina has gotten plenty of rain in recent months...and that means the foliage this year could be particularly spectacular. Pamela McCown is coordinator for the Institute for Climate Education at A-B Tech in Asheville. She says rainfall is the most important factor in predicting a good year for fall foliage.