December is a great time to go for that off-the-beaten-path ride with friends!

December is a time to celebrate the Christmas Season, and in Granville County, it’s also a time to gather with family and friends.

I want to walk along the quaint sidewalk of a small country town in Eden and chat with the owner of the little shop that sells local crafts and artisan products.

The season is still perfect to experience why Stokes County ROCKS in Autumn.

The Artisan Marketplace with over 140 merchants is filled with returning favorites that include an extensive array of vendors offering jewelry, clothing of renaissance and medieval fashion, handmade art and décor, pottery and blown and torched glass demonstrations, and activities for children that include people powered amusement rides and countryside faire games such as the castle climbing wall, archery and tomato tossing at a fool.

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. 

Kick off your walk down nostalgia street at Reynolds Brewery, Serving craft beers, appetizers, salads and outrageous brick oven  pizzas.

Morganton features Pottery Studios, Hand-made Amish furniture, Specialty boutiques for men and women, and fun little shops you won’t find anyplace else.

Defiant is a new way of distilling. We’re not bound by barrels or recipes or tradition. Our guides are the best ingredients, Mother Nature and our own intuition. We only use four ingredients. Nothing more. We’re starting a revolution in the whisky world. Join us.

The Dan River is a living, vibrant river that can turn treacherous after just a couple of days of heavy rains.

Each Festival day is filled with an abundance of attractions. The 25-acre village of Fairhaven has sixteen stages packed with costumed performers offer a unique mix of continuous music, dance, comedy, and circus entertainment.

Kick off your walk down nostalgia street at Reynolds Brewery, Serving craft beers, appetizers, salads and outrageous brick oven  pizzas.

The Pisgah Loop through Pisgah National Forest and the Linville Gorge is one of those trips that will satisfy your adventurous spirit, take you to places you have never been and showcase the best of fall color.

With a family that works and drinks well together you are sure to find a place that feels like home and that is certainly true of the family owned and operated Warehouse Distillery.

Everyone can see the Linville Gorge from several vantage points on the eastern and western rims

Celebrating 29 Years of Cheers, the annual Carolina Renaissance Festival returns Saturdays and Sundays for eight consecutive weekends, from October 1st through November 20th

Muddy River Distillery prides itself on using the best ingredients, hand-crafted recipes, and custom-built stills to make all seven of its current rums.

Bring your pooch to enjoy the trails and pet inclusive businesses throughout Stokes County.

Hart Square takes you back to a time where handcrafted and hard work was the way of life.

There is so much to do in Rockingham County that sometimes it’s hard to know what to jump into first.

The Dan River is a living, vibrant river that can turn treacherous after just a couple of days of heavy rains.

There are three big festivals coming up over the next two months that warrant a place on your calendar.

If you’re looking for a unique outdoor adventure, you can’t go wrong with exploring the Catawba River or its South Fork.

Whether you’re a live music lover, a vendor event shopper, a beer and wine sipper, a foodie, a seasoned paddler, or a fun-lovin’ paddle newbie, we have something for you.

Granville County festivals and events are also unique and uniquely Carolina. Our events are not just for attending, but for engaging with and becoming part of our community. 

This October marks the 37th Annual Festival where visitors walk amongst the village structures that have truly come to life. Tickets are on sale now for this truly one-of-a-kind festival. 

Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is a two-day event… Friday, August 5th, 6pm – 10pm and Saturday, August 6th, 12pm – 6pm at Koka Booth Amphitheater. Enjoy all those pleasures that true Southerners live by – Beer, Bourbon, Barbeque, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass and Smoked Beasts!

Summer is in full swing and that means the heat has set in.  Escape the heat wave and cool off in Burke County! 

Rockingham County Tourism Development Authority is excited to unveil its new Blueway Branding.

We are looking forward to ring in the season this year with a spark of patriotism.

Cary’s favorite BBQ Festival is back and better than ever! The 15th Annual Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is a two-day event

Fireworks, Burgers, and Family Fun, Stokes County has a flavorful weekend to kick off the month of July in a Stokes County State of Mind.

Whether you’re an aficionado or just want to try something new, look to the Gaston County ‘Cue Trail. We have unique and historic traditions in barbecue culture, and a wide variety of experiences for you to try. Let the Gaston County Cue Trail be your guide.

Escape to Stokes County, North Carolina for much needed, doctor prescribed Vitamin D and time away from technology, zoom meetings and the screens we have all been staring at over the last few years.

Extraordinary musicians from around the world gather in Greensboro each summer bringing their talents to perform the works of the great masters, past, and present. 

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.

Hickory offers scenic and peaceful outdoor amenities where you will experience nature’s warm embrace on the trails and a refreshing glimpse into what life is truly all about on the calm waters of Lake Hickory and the Catawba River.

We bring the fun! Whether you are an outdoorsy type or prefer to stay inside, here are two great opportunities to create a thrilling weekend, in Gaston County.

The 6th Annual Oink & Ale Festival in Eden, North Carolina. The most fantastic little beer festival on the block.

Spring is here and it’s time to get outdoors and take in the emerging beauty of Granville County.

Come spend some time in this Ööd mirrored house, which on three sides looks open to nature and on the outside blends in like a chameleon.

Waterfalls, sand beneath your feet, paddle boarding on the open water, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.

Lake Hickory offers options for everyone. Along the 100+ miles of shoreline, you will find tons of fun coves perfect for fishing, paddling, and swimming.

Come see why Burke County is deemed “Nature’s Playground.”  Plan your visit today!

The Catawba River is widely considered the “Hardest Working River in America,” because there is more electricity generated per mile by the Catawba River than any other river in the United States.

One of the largest gardening shows in the region, the two-day celebration of all things green fills Main Street with plants, yard tools and outdoor accessories.