Adventure

Nantahala Outdoor Center Brave the French Broad, the Ocoee, the Chattooga, or six other of the East's best rivers with this company operating in western North Carolina since 1972; go whitewater rafting with the whole family; attend paddling school; climb the Alpine Tower; go fly fishing and biking; plan an overnight outdoor excursion with or without a guide. 13077 Hwy. 19 W, Bryson City, NC; 888 905 7238. Fee.

National Whitewater Center Take a two-hour rafting trip or whitewater kayaking lesson on the world's largest artificial whitewater river, an Olympic training site on the banks of the Catawba River; climb a man-made cliff; bike, hike, run, or eco-cache along miles of challenging trails on 307 acres. 820 Hawfield Rd., Charlotte, NC; +1 704 391 3900. Fee.

Nolichucky and French Broad River Raft North Carolina's most exciting whitewater rivers, take a 4-5 hour guided river tour, go fishing and mountain biking, rock climb with experienced climbers, backpack through the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Appalachian Trail. Nolichucky: 1005 Jones Branch Rd., Erwin, NC, and French Broad: 13490 U.S. 25/70, Marshall, NC; 866 USA RAFT. Fee.