Watch a potter turn a hunk of clay into an elaborate vase, see jewelers transform metal and stone into elegant accents, or learn how a painter uses tiny brushstrokes to create a multicolor masterpiece. These experiences and more await along the Blue Ridge Craft Trails of Henderson County. Three distinct…

Go Gaston. Get Online. Gaston County Travel & Tourism has raised the bar on destination website design. Visitors to GoGastonNC.org will find a digital how-to guide for pre-planning their trip and maximizing their stay in Gaston County. New and upgraded features include: an interactive trip planner, suggested itineraries, continually-updated event…

Make a splash into cool mountain waters of the Dan River, dip your feet in a refreshing waterfall as it rushes by your skin flowing to the ground at Hanging Rock State Park. Stokes County, North Carolina is the perfect Mountain Getaway, surrounded by rural landscapes, remote locations and vacation…

Southern Granville County continues to grow. With an easy commute to Raleigh-Durham, as well as convenient access to RDU, the region is attracting families looking to relocate to a more relaxed, open area. What people don’t expect to find is the expansive list of restaurants, stores and unique shops that…

Go Gaston. Get Online. Gaston County’s wide range of outdoor experiences can be tailored to meet the needs of multiple travel motivations and interests. Participate in our online sweepstakes to learn why you’ll want to include Gaston County in your future travel plans and to enter for the chance to…

The Hendersonville Cheers! Trail welcomes two new breweries, as well as a winery tasting room and bistro. The popular trail now includes 17 stops serving wine, beer, cider and mead from downtown Hendersonville throughout the Blue Ridge Mountain countryside. Burning Blush Brewery, which opened in late 2019, creates a pub-style…

Once you’re ready to venture out for fresh air and exploration, with family and friends you’ve been apart from, discover or return to Stokes County, North Carolina.  Break out your hiking boots, saddle a horse or dip your feet into the cool natural waters of the Dan River, there’s so…

They say, “good things come in threes.”  For the residents of Creedmoor and Granville County, the better statement may be “good health comes in threes.”  That is because there are three parks that can help you get outdoors and in shape.   The largest and most spectacular park is Lake…

“Strawberries (and more!)” Who would have thought that would be a rallying cry? But here we are in the midst of a very difficult time, and also at the beginning of the North Carolina Strawberry season. The great news is these two points can intersect in Granville County as farms…

When COVID-19 passes, we’ll all be desperate to get out of the house and explore again. So, in preparation for that wonderful moment, here are 19 Totally Fly reasons to make Goldsboro-Wayne County your first “post-19” destination. Wilber’s BBQ, arguably the most famous BBQ in the state, is re-opening –…

The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville strikes an unusual balance. It’s big enough to offer year-round activities, yet small enough to feel warm, welcoming and personable.  It’s mountainous enough to provide sweeping views, but easily accessible via an interstate drive. Hendersonville’s elevation is lofty enough for less-humid summers and…

Welcome to Belmont, a walkable downtown with more culinary, craft beverage and shopping destinations that you could possibly visit in one day! Two of the most recent additions to the community are Jekyll & Hyde and Primal Brewery. Both offering craft-brewed beers and uniquely different food choices. Jekyll & Hyde…

We know you must be longing to enjoy flowers in bloom along the North Carolina “Hanging Rock Scenic Byway” named for outcroppings of the Sauratown Mountains. Those ancient peaks, an indication of diverse natural splendor below. A visit to Cascade Falls introduces you to a double drop of 200 feet…

Springtime ushers in longer daylight hours, fresh blooms visible in wide-open nature, from trails along the Sauratown Mountains at Hanging Rock State Park or down by the sparkling Dan River, making it the perfect time to discover Stokes County. Find local events and Trip Itinerary Planner on our updated website…

Welcome to Tobacco Wood Brewing Company – the first woman-veteran owned brewery in North Carolina. U.S. Army vet Mara Shelton, known is the “CO” of the brewery and runs the place with her husband Paul. Taking a nod from public beer houses in England, Tobacco Wood is less a bar…

The Riveter, North Carolina’s first indoor climbing gym and bike park, opened this spring in the Western North Carolina mountains near Hendersonville. This unique facility brings outdoor adventure indoors with 16,000 square feet of climate-controlled climbing terrain, coupled with an 18,000-square-foot bike park underneath an all-weather canopy. The indoor portion…

Whether you’re in the Charlotte area or throughout North Carolina, explore the Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail. If you or your group enjoy visiting a mix of wineries, breweries, and distilleries, then the Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail is perfect for you!  Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard and Winery offers the whole package…

While our mantra has always been to “Visit Goldsboro”, the escalation of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation has caused us to press the pause button, encourage folks to reduce their social interactions, and invite you to visit Goldsboro soon. The situation changes every day, but our priority remains the same to…

Now that winter seems to be leaving the building (most days, although we’re not completely clear of sweater weather just yet), it’s the season to get festival planning. And Goldsboro-Wayne County has got some essential festival fun for you to add to your calendar. Here’s a run-down of the best…

Downtown Oxford is certainly becoming a focus of attention. With new shops, a unique wedding and event venue, and an ever-growing list of festivals, the area of Main and Hillsboro streets are becoming the hub of the community. Helping to drive this renaissance is the emergence of a number of…

Hendersonville’s third annual Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend showcases some of Western North Carolina’s top cider and wine makers, April 16-19. The weekend involves tastings, new releases, orchard and vineyard tours, food events, music, and more. This year’s event — named a Top 20 April event by the Southeastern Tourism…

Tuck Fest takes what the Whitewater Center does throughout the year, and packs it into one weekend. The three-day festival celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through live music, nearly 150 clinics, yoga, competitions, exhibitions and demos. With its packed schedule and attendance, the weekend of April 24-26 warrants a little extra…

There is no better place to get outdoors than beautiful North Carolina—and Stokes County has some of most scenic outdoor destinations in a rural, laid back setting. Romantic spots can be discovered all over the region and many offer perfect venues for reunions, large events, and ideal setting to tie…

Are you planning a 2020- 2021 wedding? If you are (or hope to), we invite you to be part of the Granville County BOWs Bridal Tour to see what this community just outside of the Triangle has to offer.  From rustic to elegant, outdoor to indoor, you will find something…

February is a special month. Black History Month, which runs all through February, is the annual celebration of achievements by African Americans, and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S History. The celebration has extended way beyond the U.S, and other countries including Canada and…

Over 2 million people serve our country in both active and reserve roles in the military each year. A tour to a military base can not only give you an appreciation for what these guys and gals do every day, but also allow visitors to marvel at the engineering, admire…

A favorite Blue Ridge Mountain tradition returns this month with the opening of Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2020 season. The playhouse — nicknamed little Broadway in the mountains and officially designated the state theater of North Carolina — brings top-notch musicals, plays and concerts to the small community of Flat Rock just…

 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…

This Valentine’s Day snuggle up during a romantic weekend in the Sauratown Mountains at Hanging Rock State Park, undoubtedly the crowning jewel of Stokes County. This beautiful park offers something special for each sharing Valentine’s weekend together with campsite or cabin rentals. Visitors looking for a relaxing stroll or an…

Readying now for springtime, the City of Belmont in partnership with Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (DSBG) and the Belmont Tourism Development Authority (BTDA) announce a month-long citywide celebration of blossoming bulbs, art, community, and culture – Belmont Blooms.  The inaugural multi-week Belmont Blooms begins on March 27 with an electric…

How many times have you walked into a business with high expectations and were thoroughly surprised to have those expectations exceeded in every way? Webb Custom Kitchen in Historic Downtown Gastonia is such a venue. When you walk through the doors of this re-engineered 1927 Theater, you are surrounded by…

Outdoor adventures are just as FUN in the cooler winter temperatures of Stokes County. Locals say, “Winter is the best time for a relaxing, brisk hike to vistas of clear views for miles”. Take in the fresh mountain air of the Piedmont Region at Hanging Rock State Park, helping to…

You might know Goldsboro Wayne County as home to Pigs, Pickles and Planes – and whilst that’s not changing (we love a good ‘cue as much as ever), Goldsboro is poised for new, exciting developments in 2020. So, earmark a weekend, pack your stretchy pants (remember – so much bbq,…

The Granville experience is an alternative. An alternative to what you have. A yin, to the everyday yang. Yet this alternative is not far away, but in your own back yard – steps away. Granville County is not just a location, but a place where you can gather, relax, inhale/exhale,…

There are sunrises, and then there are Grandfather Mountain sunrises. And then there are Grandfather Mountain New Year’s Day sunrises. Ring in an epic New Year on Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the first sunrise of 2020 — atop Grandfather Mountain. This special event will allow guests the rare opportunity to…

On the heels of engagement season, Hendersonville invites brides-to-be to plan their perfect day in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Say I Do to Hendersonville Bridal Show on Saturday, March 21, brings together wedding venues, vendors and planners at Blue Ridge Community College for a one-stop wedding-planning shop. “Hendersonville is…

Winter roars in like a lion, but adventures, events and fun experiences are waiting to be had in Stokes County, North Carolina. A brisk winter hike along the trails of Hanging Rock State Park reveal views and natural beauty not normally experienced in summer months when trees and flora are…

There are plenty of reasons for Christmas cheer this season in Goldsboro Wayne County. Whether you’re looking for family fun, or a spot of festive retail therapy, check out some of the highlights of the Twelve Days of Christmas in Goldsboro! Jingle in the Park, December 6th and 7th. Kick…

Christmas is a time for family, friends and fellowship. And in Granville County it is a time to celebrate with neighbors and welcome guests from around the region. We have places to gather and unique stores and galleries at which to find that perfect gift. Merry Christmas…we hope to see…

To paraphrase the popular Andy Williams song, it’s the busiest time of the year. And in Gaston County, there’s a ton of fun stuff to do this Christmas season. Whether you’re young or old, new to the community or a lifelong resident, you’re sure to find something fun to do…

The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville invites you to delight in the spirit of the season with lights, Christmas carols, Main Street shopping and more. The Home for the Holidays event series includes more than 60 happenings from now through New Year’s Day. “Everyone has worked hard to put…

As the weather cools and the nights draw in, Goldsboro-Wayne County has got the main bases covered to ensure you make the most of the season this November – sports, shows, scenery and Scotch!  Be at one with Nature this November Whether you decide to walk, kayak, run, or just…

As the shopping season commences, the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville offers a plethora of options for buying something out of the ordinary. Forget the gift cards and mass-produced knickknacks. These local shops stock the handcrafted, unusual and thought-provoking. And they provide the warm customer service that makes spending…

Gaston County is an international destination for outdoors enthusiasts. Professional athletes and weekend warriors go to Gaston County to climb, ride, paddle, swim, zip, hike, and about any other activity you can think of. Rivers, mountains, parks, and Olympic training centers are all available for you to experience.  Almost every…

Leaves of yellow, auburn, red, and brown remain for your leaf peeping enjoyment. The season is still perfect to experience why Stokes County ROCKS your Autumn. Cast a reel at the Hanging Rock Lake, sit back to admire the colorful array reflecting onto the water, as you catch the largest…

Do we dare say the Holidays are approaching? Okay, we understand that Thanksgiving is first, but we also know that now is the time to make sure you have your Christmas parties in-place. Granville County provides a number of beautiful and distinct venues to host your Holiday Gathering. Come explore…

The Ridgeline Trolley runs custom trips in the foothills and mountains of Burke County. Morganton is the county seat. The trolley was built in 1992 by the Chance Trolley Corp in Wichita, Kansas. Its early life was spent in Dayton, Ohio where it was called the “Wright Flyer.” Later, it…

Fall into a Stokes County State of Mind this October on the trails at Hanging Rock or along gently winding rural roads, leading to stunning views, and landscapes painted in the beautiful colors of autumn.  Fly through the trees by zipline, experience local bluegrass and flat foot dancing heritage, view…

How many places have you walked into a business with high expectations and were thoroughly surprised to have those expectations exceeded in every way? Webb Custom Kitchen in Historic Downtown Gastonia is such a venue. When you walk through the doors of this re-engineered 1927 Theater, you are surrounded by…

New season, new fun – is how Goldsboro, NC, feels about fall! Whether you’re a foodie, sports lover, theatre fan or like nothing better than a chance to pick the brains of some seriously impressive female leaders – look no further than Goldsboro, NC. For those foodies amongst us, the…