With miles of sandy coastline and a plethora of stunning film locations, the US state of Carolina is a must-see says ROWENA CARR-ALLINSON

WHY SHOULD I GO?
Looking for an exciting new holiday destination? Then try North Carolina – the home of Dirty Dancing, NASCAR (stock car racing) and endless sandy beaches.

Sandwiched between the states of Virginia and South Carolina, this US state is an undiscovered holiday gem with dramatic mountain scenery in the west and 300 miles of unspoiled Atlantic Ocean coastline on the east.

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On the Atlantic Coast, stay in Wilmington, with its charming wooden houses, leafy streets, and café-lined riverfront.

The historic town is nicknamed Wilmywood or Hollywood East, as many films and TV shows, such as Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill, are filmed here.

WHEN SHOULD I GO?
Wilmington hosts a Jazz Festival in February, the Riverfront Blues Festival in July and the Celebrities Golf Tournament in May. And the NASCAR sprint All-star Race also takes place in Charlotte in May.

Dirty Dancing fans can attend the Dirty Dancing Festival (www.dirtydancingfestival.com) on September 17-18 by Lake Lure, where scenes for the movie were shot.

WHAT STARS MIGHT I SEE?
North Carolina is one of American’s biggest film locations, with Forrest Gump, Hannibal, The Last Of The Mohicans, Shallow Hal and The Fugitive all filmed in the state – so you are bound to see a celeb or two.
The best place to celeb-spot is Wilmington. Movies shot in and around Wilmington include
I Know What You Did Last Summer, and the rom-com Nights In Rodanthe.

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WHERE CAN I EAT?
In Charlotte, try Mez, a glam eatery adjoining the EpiCenter. Here OK! sampled the mozzarella tower and lamb chops with truffle fries. Strike City, next door has classic burgers and bowling. Vanilla Ice and Evander Holyfield are fans.

Jessica Simpson has been spotted at Suite nightclub, a popular hangout for clubbers in the know. Across in Wilmington, Katie Holmes used to frequent Caffè Phoenix, a classic brasserie, on South Front Street, when filming Dawson’s Creek.

Round the corner, on Princess Street, OK! popped into Hells Kitchen, the bar that appeared in Dawson’s Creek. With a laid-back sports bar vibe, it’s the place to have a beer with the locals.

Another must is YoSake, a hip sushi restaurant, where OK! nibbled on sushi and admired the animation-style artwork.

WHERE CAN I STAY?
Like hip hotels? Then book into the Aloft Charlotte Uptown at the EpiCentre – an upmarket entertainment complex. The funky boutique hotel featured lots of little touches that OK! loved, from the cool W Xyz bar in bright candy colours and handy 24/7 re:fuel deli.

OK! also enjoyed a refreshing lap or two in the swanky indoor pool and adored the gorgeous smelling Bliss Spa products provided in the huge walk-in showers.

In Wilmington, the address for celebs is the Graystone Inn. A lovely plantation-style home, it recently had its 15 minutes of fame when it appeared as the White House in Little Britain USA. The nine-room inn also showed up in Dawson’s Creek. OK! loved the period features and the cosy bar. Sir Anthony Hopkins, Goldie Hawn, Billy Zane and Tom Cruise have all stayed.

WHERE CAN I SHOP?
In Charlotte, shopaholics should make a beeline for South Park Mall, where 48,000 sq ft of retail therapy awaits. There’s a Neiman Marcus, as well as US staples such as J Crew, Banana Republic, and Guess. OK! couldn’t resist a pair of Abercrombie & Fitch denim shorts!

A-listers adore Lumina Station, a luxe mall near Wrightsville Beach. For chic boutiques, visit Wilmington’s Independence Mall and for movie souvenirs try Market Street’s Black Cat Shoppe.

WHAT SIGHTS MIGHT I SEE?
Visit the NASCAR Hall Of Fame in Charlotte and Lowe’s Motor Speedway of Talladega Nights and Days Of Thunder fame.

Adrenaline junkies will like the US National Whitewater Center, a 400-acre park with white water rafting, climbing and biking.

In Wilmington, movie fans can take a guided tour of Screen Gems Studios, where Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill were filmed. Or take the Hollywood Walking Tour to get the lowdown on the movies filmed here – from the Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood to Domestic Disturbance. You’ll see everything from Julia Roberts’ apartment in Sleeping With The Enemy to the spot where Brandon Lee was killed making The Crow. At night, join the ghost walk, where actors share eerie tales from the days when this Cape Fear coast was a pirate hideout!

Other popular Wilmington attractions include the Battleship North Carolina and the Cape Fear Serpentarium. If you want to hit the beach, either head to Wrightsville or Ocean Isle Beach, where you’ll also find fun seafood restaurant Ella’s.

HOW DO I GET THERE?
Expedia (0871 226 0808; www.expedia.co.uk) offers return flights with US Airways from London Gatwick to Charlotte from £640pp.

Rooms at the Aloft Charlotte Uptown (www.alofthotels.com) cost from £67pp per night and rooms at Graystone Inn (www.graystoneinn.com) cost from £110. Rent a car from Dollar Rent-a-Car, (www.dollar.co.uk) from £141 for the week.

For North Carolina tourist board information, visit www.uk.visitnc.com. For more on Wilmington, visit www.capefearcoast.com and for movie locations, check www.hollywoodnc.com. See details of the Hollywood Walkabout on www.hollywoodnc.com and for the Ghost Walk, see www.wilmingtonwalkingtours.com. The Lonely Planet USA Guide (www.lonelyplanet.com) is useful.