Just throwing this out there; I'm planning a trip to the US this year (COVID willing) in October.

Planning on landing in Charlotte, watching the Panthers and driving South to Miami to watch the Canes.

Are there any must see places in North Carolina?

I have the Blue Ridge Mountains as a maybe (Chimney Rock Park / Biltmore Estate 'cos I'm a Last of the Mohicans fan), but it's a 260 mile round trip so it's going to be tough to justify to my friend unless there's anything else of interest out that way?

We plan on staying in Charlotte and Charleston in the Carolinas on our way down to Miami. So if you have any bar / restaurant / hotel (cheap!) / location recommendations in those two cities (or in-between!) I'd love to hear them.

Thanks in advance.