Biltmore Tops NC Museums And Historic Attraction Survey

MATTHEWS, N.C., Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the annual survey of North Carolina's largest museums and historic attractions conducted by Carolina Publishing & Associates in Matthews, NC, Biltmore once again ranks as the state's largest museum historic attraction for 2013. 

The largest privately owned home in America based in Asheville saw 1,210,138 visitors last year.

"The results reinforce the economic impact these treasurers have on tourism in our state," said Mark Hemphill, Vice President of Marketing for Biltmore. "We continue to see strong visitation growth at Biltmore year after year. The estate provides a destination experience for our guests and we are honored that they choose to spend time with us."

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences finished second in the survey with 1,026,177 visitors and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro finished third with 739,943. Rounding out the top five were the Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach with 722,260 guests and Charlotte's Discovery Place with 705,845.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the annual survey.  Newcomers to the 2014 survey include The Duke University Chapel in Durham and Jeannette's Pier in Nags Head, which is part of the North Carolina Aquariums system of attractions.

Among the top 30 most visited museums and historic attractions, 11 are located in North Carolina's Coastal Region. The Triangle Region claimed seven attractions and six are in the Mountain Region.

Carolina Publishing & Associates, which conducts the survey, publishes the Carolina Heritage Guide and the Carolina Field Trips Magazine.

Here are the top 30 most visited museums and historic attractions in North Carolina, along with their attendance numbers.

1. Biltmore, Asheville, 1,210,138. 2. NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, 1,026,177. 3. North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, 739,943. 4. Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach, 722,260.

5. Discovery Place, Charlotte, 705,845. 6. Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh. 648,450. 7. Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach. 614,158. 8.Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, 489,123. 9. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, 447,892. 10. Museum of Life and Science, Durham, 421,095.

11. NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, 389, 612. 12. Jennette's Pier, Nags Head, 308,786. 13. North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville. 332,748. 14. Greensboro Science Center, 325,536. 15. NC Maritime Museums (Beaufort, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, Hatteras, NC Maritime Museum at Southport), 325,921.  16. NC Museum of History, Raleigh. 288,800. 17. North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, 287,605. 18. NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island, Manteo, 275,141. 19. Fort Raleigh National Historic Park, Manteo, 264,942. 20. Grandfather Mountain, Linville, 314,127.

21. Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington, 211,724 22. Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock. 194,073. 23. Duke University Chapel, Durham, 182,215. 24. Tryon Palace, New Bern 181,350. 25. NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte, 173,024. 26. Linville Caverns, Marion, 170,689. 27. Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Winston-Salem, 146,900. 28. Cherokee Cultural Attractions, Cherokee, 145,778. 29. Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill, NC 142,135. 30. Mint Museums, Charlotte, 142,057.

SOURCE Carolina Publishing & Associates