Stokes County, NC As we all know, at this time, getting outside is the number one thing to do! Personally, hiking is one of my favorites, so; I caught up with one of my girlfriends who was up for the challenge. Aly & I met up at Hanging Rock State…

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…

Hendersonville invites brides-to-be to plan their Blue Ridge Mountain weddings at the Say I Do to Hendersonville Bridal Show on Saturday, Nov. 14. The show, which was rescheduled from the spring due to COVID restrictions, brings together wedding venues, vendors and planners at Blue Ridge Community College for a one-stop…

Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail I  hope you had a chance to read part one of our story on theRidgeline Craft Beverage Trail. This is a two-day journey; and this month we highlight day two. If you missed day one, go to trailpost.craftpassport.app to catch up.  Cavendish Brewing Company On day…

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…

Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail The Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail features six of Gaston and Cleveland County’s breweries, distilleries and wineries. Each has its own unique feel and culture, which was our favorite part of this trail. It’s a great representation of what makes Gaston and Cleveland Counties so special.  Starting…

Fall means apple season in Hendersonville, North Carolina. This Blue Ridge Mountain town leads the state in apple production and consistently ranks among the top producers in the nation.  During a time when families are searching for safe, socially distanced, outdoor activities, U-pick apple orchards check all the boxes. Apple…

Stokes County, NC Now is the perfect time to plan a leaf peeping drive, with the windows down enjoying a kaleidoscopic show of vibrant auburn, yellow and red coloring in Stokes County, NC. Take the less traveled path on rural roadways where the only traffic jam you may encounter is…

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…

Grey Blackwell was raised on a farm.  Even as he worked in corporate America as a graphic artist, the love of the land never left him.  His approach though, is a bit unique.  Grey now owns and runs one of the most popular Halloween haunted attractions in the state. Working…

Plan a weekend of kayaking in Gaston County, exploring the Catawba and Southfork River Blueways. We recommend staying at the brand new Fairfield Inn and Suites in Mt Holly/Belmont and renting boats at Suns Up Scuba in Cramerton. You can also rent at Tailrace Marina just be sure to check…

With everyone in North Carolina looking to get outdoors, we’d recommend looking to Granville County and four unique spaces in Creedmoor and Butner. Lake Rogers  The largest and most spectacular park in Creedmoor is located at Lake Rogers. Located on Highway 56, Lake Rogers is a shallow lake covering 175…

Some artwork exists for centuries. Yet some pieces are temporary. The Gallery at Flat Rock pairs lasting creations with fleeting ones for its fifth annual “Art in Bloom” exhibit, Sept. 26-27. Located just south of downtown Hendersonville, the gallery is known for its finely curated art and craft. The exhibit…

Maybe you’ve found a new love for outdoor adventure and the thrill of the hike this summer, while finding a way to pass the time and enjoy fresh mountain air. Step it up a notch and push yourself to go further with a local hiking challenge, asking participants to Conquer…

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…

On Gaston County’s eastern edge, along the Catawba River, lies a 1,300-acre playground. The nonprofit U.S. National Whitewater Center has one goal: to encourage people to get outdoors. The centerpiece is the largest manmade whitewater course in the world, where paddling novices as young as 8 years old navigate class…

Henderson County’s Crest of the Blue Ridge wine region is now home to six wine producers following the openings this summer of Marked Tree Vineyard and Stone Ashe Vineyard. Marked Tree sits at an elevation of 2,300 in a picturesque setting along the Eastern Continental Divide. A unique tasting room…

“Shake it like a Polaroid Picture”, post it on Social Media to claim bragging rights for finding some of the most photographed locations often seen when scrolling past or following local hashtags on Instagram. There’s a certain challenge in searching out and recreating the view of most popular selfie opportunities…

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….

In North Carolina, 7,000-acre Doughton Park is the setting of another historical mountain cabin and farmstead, as well as thirty miles of pleasant walking trails, some involving stream crossings. The historic Bluffs Restaurant, also located at Doughton Park, has undergone restoration and is scheduled to reopen in 2020 after 10…

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…

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…