Make your way uphill to Parque do Castro via Camelias Street - although the climb is somewhat steep, the views over the Vigo estuary from here are simply unbeatable. The Castro de Vigo (dating back to the 3rd century BC) and Castello the Castro can both be visited en route.

The Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area is a 265-acre maritime forest, one of the few left on North Carolina’s coast. Donated in 1971 by Theodore Roosevelt’s grandchildren, it honors the 26th President’s conservation legacy. Two interpretive trails start near the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, offering an easy way to explore this preserved coastal habitat. The shorter trail loops through salt marshes and leads to a viewing blind at East Pond, while the longer trail winds over dune ridges with views of Bogue Sound. Open year-round with free admission, it’s a peaceful spot for hiking, birdwatching, or a quiet retreat into nature.

Two MCCA-operated Boston convention centers, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, have received the rare gold standard of certification from the International Association of Congress Centers. A steady stream of huge international conventions is hosted here throughout the year.