As you are gearing up for the Holiday’s and looking for those special gifts for loved ones don’t forget to shop local. Plan your weekend trip or day trip to Hickory to explore not only our outdoor adventures and culinary scene but we hope you will take a piece of Hickory home for the Holidays. 

Burke County is known for its magnificent leaf-peeping trolley tours, its world-renowned breweries, and Apple Orchards, but did you know that the best holiday shopping experience is here too!

Before shopping became about computer clicks and delivery trucks, shopping meant strolling down the sidewalk, peeking in windows and discussing with shopkeepers exactly what you’re looking to purchase. Shopping was an experience.

Hickory, NC Hickory is known for craftsmanship in many forms including furniture, wood working and more but did you know that Hickory is well known for its craft beer and craft cocktail scene. Our booming culinary destinations are pushing boundaries in a fun and artistic way by encouraging local “mixologists”…

Brevard, North Carolina The Brevard Bike House is your boutique destination with a mountain bike theme. I would highly recommend staying here, even if you don’t know what a pump track is. Ryan Jacques designed & built this tiny house from the ground up to welcome individuals, groups, or families…

Burke County, NC South Mountain Distillery curates the best kind of spirits, based on generations of practice here in Burke County.  Don Smith, a 4th generation moonshiner, opened the distillery in 2016 after years of operating other businesses, as a way to embrace his roots.  He wanted to make traditional…

Burke County, NC Burke County is known as Nature’s Playground due to the endless opportunities to explore, and experience the mountains, lakes, streams and trails.  Whether you enjoy biking, kayaking, hiking or just relaxing and taking in the crisp mountain air, this is the place to be. If you would…

Much More Than 3P's Goldsboro is known for the 3 P's Pigs, Pickles, and Planes! However, it is full of beautiful architecture, from homes to the restored downtown. Years ago, the railroad ran straight smack dab down the middle of downtown, not just one but three! Now that the railroad…

Catawba County, NC Hickory, NC is located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Under two hours from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, Hickory is a perfect getaway to cooler temperatures and outdoor adventures. Known for a heritage of furniture manufacturing and furniture shopping, the Hickory area has grown through…

Burke County, NC Festivals are one of the main ways that we celebrate heritage in Burke County. In Valdese, every year in August, the town celebrates the Waldensians, a group of people who escaped religious persecution in Italy and eventually settled Valdese. The local theater company, the Old Colony Players,…

Avery County, NC Banner Elk’s summertime Art on the Greene shows return this year after the coronavirus pandemic forced cancelation last summer. The fine art shows take place on the grounds of the Historic Banner Elk School the following weekends: July 3-4, Aug. 7-8 and Sept. 4-5. Booth space will…

Burke County, NC The foothills of Western North Carolina have long been known for the craft culture and amazing artisans that live in these parts. From the founding of the Piedmont Blues to famous bluegrass musicians and stunning pottery, Burke County especially is no stranger to craftsmanship. This is evident…

Lexington, NC A story that begins with a teenage boy in North Carolina building a chest in shop class and winning an industrial arts award now has chapters that span a 50-year professional art career. Those chapters include such accomplishments as a world-renowned furniture line, paintings and prints hanging in…

Avery County, NC Exciting outdoor adventures – both new and old – await this summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Banner Elk, North Carolina. This high-elevation resort town is surrounded by thrilling experiences. The newest adrenaline rush comes with downhill speeds reaching up to 27 miles per hour. Wilderness…

Burke County, NC 2020 was a crazy year for everybody, including our pets. Our four-legged friends found their lives turned upside down when their owners suddenly didn’t leave the house to go to work, drastically altering life as they knew it. Now that workers are returning to the office, our…

Burke County, NC Burke County is the perfect destination for all sorts of water lovers, whether you are a thrill junkie, want a relaxing float or are looking to experience the water without getting wet. One of the pinnacles of the Burke County countryside is Lake James. The 6,812-acre lake…

The Old Nick Williams Farm and Distillery, located in the Piedmont of NC, was first established in 1768 and was once known as one of the most revered whiskey distilleries in the United States.  The Eighteenth Amendment in 1919 and subsequent prohibition forced the distillery to temporarily close.  In 2015,…

The new Surry County Four Rivers Map provides locations for all paddling access points in the county, as well as stream details and parking info for each access point.

Burke County, NC Spring is here and the adventures are waiting for you in Burke County! Enjoy spending time outdoors after a long winter of being cooped up inside by following streams, ridgelines or lakeshores to get to the perfect destination. Experience hiking in the cool weather, where the leaves…

Burke County, NC The Catawba River is named for the Catawba Native American Tribe which translates to “the people of the river.”  This area was their home for more than 12,000 years prior to European exploration.  Now the Catawba River Valley is home to more than 2 million people who…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Interaction with others who share your enthusiasm for discovering new places and trying new things is a big part of getting out and supporting craft producers across the region.  But needlessly interacting with somebody isn’t cool, like having to hand your phone to somebody to…

Snow tubing ranks among the easiest — and most fun — winter sports because it requires little preparation, equipment and skill. Just hop on a tube and whoosh down the hill. The Banner Elk area is an ideal tubing spot with four of the top places to snow tube in…

There’s good news for skiers and snowboarders heading to Banner Elk this winter. Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort are participating in the national Ski Well, Be Well initiative to promote COVID-safe skiing. Both resorts follow protocols set forth by the National Ski Areas Association. Those include a face…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Happy New Year! We hope that during 2021 you get a chance to take care of yourself, and step back from the stress of the time. Relax, explore, reboot. We suggest discovering boutique craft beverage producers across the state responsibly and supporting small communities while…

Does the cold weather and daylight savings have you catching cabin fever? Well, what better cure for cabin fever then visiting a cabin in the mountains? A change of scenery and being outside in the mountain air is important for your mental and physical health.  Stay in one of Burke…

Are you ready for the “12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN DAVIDSON”? YES, Christmas in Davidson is happening this year but it will be different. Now you have 12 days to enjoy this magical event! The elves have been hard at work creating new ways for you and your family to…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post This is the time of year that we usually look forward to or dread spending time with our families. This year is going to be just slightly different. But that does not mean that it has to be bad. You can still get out and…

Winter may be a great time to stay inside and cuddle under some blankets in the warmth, but what happens when that dreaded cabin fever starts to creep up on you? Hiking can be exactly what you need to get your blood pumping and your sense of adventure peaking. Come…

Let The Camping Begin! Camping is always an adventure but seriously camping in a vineyard has got to be an all-time winner!  Being among the grapevines, on the mountainside, and in the rolling hills is just breathtaking! On October 17th Round Peak Vineyards will be hosting an all-time favorite The…

You’ll have to be a little crafty yourself if you would like to explore as much of downtown Morganton as you can in two days. Once you start your walk you will be amazed to discover how many unique culinary and craft boutiques there are to enjoy. Chances are very…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Located on the majestic Roaring River in Traphill, North Carolina, Roaring River Vineyards provides spectacular wines in a beautiful atmosphere. The Tasting Room offers both wine and beer to please a variety of palates. Have a glass, share a bottle, or enjoy a tasting to…

Sept 1, 2020Join us on the Ridgeline Trolley for the Fall Color Tour, hosted by Burke Country Tourism. Board the Trolley in Morganton, NC and enjoy the sights as you travel up scenic Highway 181 to Linville, NC. The Tour includes a box lunch that will be eaten at a…

Let The Camping Begin! Red Gates RV park and campground is located on a gently rolling meadowland with a 2-acre lake surrounded by a beautiful wooded area. It is only 5.5 miles away from historic downtown Hendersonville. Red Gates is a peaceful atmosphere for all campers. Bring your friends and…

The cool mountains of Banner Elk provide an ideal backdrop for the Art on the Green show this Memorial Day weekend.

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Dedicated to bringing you damn good beer. Dry Falls Brewing Co. started out as a dream between father and son while sitting in a brewery on a family vacation. Romanticizing the idea while drinking a flight of twenty-four different brews, Jeff and Evan found their…

Let The Camping Begin! Camping is always an adventure but seriously camping in a vineyard has got to be an all-time winner!  Being among the grapevines, on the mountainside, and in the rolling hills is just breathtaking! On September 12th Round Peak Vineyards will be hosting an all-time favorite The…

Planned Getaways or Adventures ala-carte, Burke County North Carolina is your destination to distance yourself from ordinary weekends. Summer is the time to get outside and discover the foothills, the mountains, and the waterways in Burke County. We have put together itineraries of things we suggest doing during your visit….

The cool mountains of Banner Elk provide an ideal backdrop for the Art on the Green show this Memorial Day weekend.

If you want your own Swiss Amy Knife of Campers visit the Sylvansport Website and pick out your new GO™! If you would like to see one in action follow Where2GO.app for locations and events we will have our Sylvansport GO™ on display. Mention Code JAY 2247 for your Go…

Let The Camping Begin! It is never the wrong time to hit the road and go exploring. We packed up the Sylvan Sport GO™and hit the road. To where you ask? This time we headed to Grandfather Campground in Banner Elk. One of my many favorites.  With 32 Acres of…

Planned Getaways or Adventures ala-carte, Burke County North Carolina is your destination to distance yourself from ordinary weekends. Up in the Air Thermal Valley is a family owned and operated business whose mission is to facilitate people to feel the exhilarating effects of free flying through our discovery of tandem…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Dedicated to bringing you damn good beer. Triskelion Brewing Company is dedicated to bringing you damn good beer. That’s it. That’s their goal. They like to do other stuff too… but primarily… at the taphouse, the main objective is simply to produce the best beer…

The cool mountains of Banner Elk provide an ideal backdrop for the Art on the Green show this Memorial Day weekend.

The walls were moving in, so I had to escape. I’m sure it’s not just me that feels that way, so I grabbed my hiking boots, my mountain bike & threw it in the GO, and hit the road.  Just a short drive to Elkin, NC Byrd’s Branch Campground &…

Come to Burke County to discover what treasures you have been missing. We have so many unique, one of a kind experiences that will bring your mind out of the haze of quarantine and quench your thirst for adventure. One of these treasures is Thermal Valley Hang Gliding. Hang gliding…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post EXPERIENCE OUR FRENCH-INSPIRED VINEYARD, RESTAURANT AND EVENT VENUE Located on the majestic Roaring River in Traphill, North Carolina, Roaring River Vineyards provides spectacular wines in a beautiful atmosphere. The Tasting Room offers both wine and beer to please a variety of palates. Have a glass,…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Muddy River Distillery announced it will make hand sanitizer to supply healthcare and first responders in Belmont, N.C. and Gaston County. Since Muddy River has temporarily closed distillery tours, the production of sanitizer is a new priority. On Friday, Muddy River donated 95 gallons of…

There are many treasures to experience in Burke County. Many local attractions have done a lot of adapting to make sure that they are able to still provide fantastic, one of a kind experiences during the uncertainty of COVID-19. One of those attractions is the Henry River Mill Village located…

 A new brewery has taken root in Western North Carolina that brings a different approach to the craft beer scene.  Sideways Farm & Brewery opened this past August in the rural Henderson County community of Etowah. Although surrounded by dozens of craft breweries in the towns of Hendersonville, Brevard and…