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!

This holiday season Hendersonville welcomes back some of its favorite traditions for its Home for the Holidays celebration. The festivities begin in November and continue through the New Year.

I don’t know about ya’ll, but fall weathers, crisp air, lattes, and apple cider just scream, let’s go holiday shopping! What better way to do it than get local, shop small, and spend my money in the local small towns rather than the big box shops. 

Early holiday shoppers can peruse over 140 craft shops in a village market which provides a diverse selection of handmade items such as pottery, jewelry, perfume, glass blown ornaments, ceramics, bath & body products, medieval costumes, hand carved candles, unique musical instruments, children’s toys, a full spectrum of clothing, and much more. Watch artisans make a masterpiece right before your eyes. Enjoy demonstrations of fine skills such as weaving, woodcarving, blacksmithing, glassblowing, pottery, and jewelry making – all using ancient skills and low technology.

The red brick-colored winery in Laurel Springs, about a 20-minute drive from Glendale Springs, West Jefferson, and Sparta, sits on the Alleghany County farm where it got its start.

The Yadkin Valley Winter Wine & Beer Passport serves up tastings at 14 wineries, three breweries and one distillery in North Carolina wine country.

Leaves of yellow, auburn, red, and brown linger a bit longer here for your leaf peeping enjoyment. The season is still perfect to experience why Stokes County ROCKS in 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 trout of a recent re-stock. Support local food banks this holiday season by attending “Soup in a Bowl” held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year on November 20th. A unique event hosted by Stokes Arts, where attendees will receive their very own handcrafted pottery bowl, donated by a local artist, and enjoy their choice of warm soup in the heart of Danbury, NC at The Arts Place of Stokes.

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.

Belmont, NC The Museum of the Moon will be exhibited in downtown Belmont for three weekends serving as the backdrop for a series of lunar-inspired events. Over the centuries, the moon has been used as a timekeeper, calendar, and source of light to aid nighttime navigation. The evenings and weekends…

Davie County, NC Your family can enjoy a full day of free fun during the annual Oaks Festival. The festival is held in historic downtown Mocksville on the second Saturday in October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with our crafters while the music plays on until 8 p.m. that evening. There…

Hendersonville, NC Whether your dream day involves a rustic wedding barn, pavilion with wraparound views, a church sanctuary or a lakeside lawn, Hendersonville has a venue to accommodate your wedding ceremony and reception. Couples planning a wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains are invited to explore Hendersonville’s offerings at the…

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…

City of Eden, Rockingham County, NC The city of Eden is already a favorite destination for hikers, bicyclists, canoes, and kayakers. Now Eden is home to the second of three breweries on the Rockingham County Spirit Trail. Reynolds brewery is owned by Chip and Tony Reynolds, and is family operated….

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The wildly popular Carolina Renaissance Festival is back to celebrate its 28th year Saturdays and Sundays, October 2nd through November 21st. Located just north of Charlotte, NC, the Festival blends imagination, fantasy, and history all within a 20-acre outdoor storybook village filled with shopping,…

Rockingham County, NC Whether you are a beer drinker, wine sipper, or stiff shooter, we have no doubt one of the best ways to discover Rockingham County is to take it one sip at a time along the Rockingham County Spirit Trail. With generations-old recipes and enjoyably outrageous brews, Rockingham…

Stokes County, NC. This October, discover a Stokes County State of Mind on a leaf peeping drive, windows down enjoying a kaleidoscopic show of vibrant auburn, yellow and red coloring unique to the Piedmont Triad areas of North Carolina. Take the less traveled path on rural roadways where the only…

Gaston County, NC Fall is absolutely the best time to get outside as temperatures cool and landscapes come brilliantly alive. Get out and explore!   Check out our brand new Fall Guide 2021, showcasing the best way to experience Gaston County this season. Enjoy the outdoors, locate our most scenic…

Burke County, NC Known as a small town with big celebrations, the Town of Valdese summer concerts will conclude on September 3rd with a special performance by Too Much Sylvia. Sharing a variety of hits from ZZ Top to Motown, TMS is sure to get the crowd to their feet….

Stokes County, NC. Festival season returns as the longest running festival in Stokes County, “Stokes Stomp” marks its 47th year along banks of the mighty Dan River on September 11th. A new festival for fall arrives the following weekend along Main Street in Walnut Cove as “FallFest” is born from…

Henderson County, NC In the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville, harvest season means walking through rows of apple trees in the middle of an orchard, purchasing fresh fruit, taking in mountain views and making memories as a family. Throughout the fall, apple orchards buzz with activity. Orchards, markets and…

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…

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The Festival is a full day of entertainment, adventure, and pageantry! History comes alive with hundreds of costumed characters re-creating a 16th Century European Marketplace in the town of Fairhaven. It’s a 25-acre outdoor open air village nestled in the forest and meadows. At…

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…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post To create The Levee Brewery & Pub, they smashed together a classic British pub with the creativity and exuberance of American Craft Beer, and poured it all out into the friendliest little town in North Carolina. The result is a warm, welcoming and friendly hangout…

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…

Stokes County, NC. As cooler temperatures of fall start to arrive, beauty of colorful leaves become more present along mountain faces of the Sauratown Mountains in Stokes County, North Carolina. Set out for a drive on the winding scenic roads in a whole new season and enjoy fall foliage painted…

Gaston County, NC Summertime just makes people want to get out and explore! If you’ve done the beach, and the mountains, and looking for something new, now is the time to try Gaston County. Gaston County is a recreational wonderland you need to discover, with options from easy to strenuous…

Henderson County, NC D9 Brewing Company’s indoor-outdoor bar that opens onto Hendersonville’s Main Street has become a popular place to gather in the NC mountains. The roll-up garage door front draws passersby. They peek inside the industrial-chic space formally home to a piano store and chat with patrons who snagged…

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,…

Granville County is not like where you came from…we are “Uniquely Carolina™”  – a Carolina that melds the endearing heart of hometown living with (individual) space, and easy accessibility – a rare fusion that allows you to define “experience” and “gathering” on your term… and compels you to come and…

Private island getaways are the stuff of travel blogs and bucket-list dreams. Perhaps you’ve found yourself dreaming of the idea only to decide it was probably unrealistic for anyone other than rockstars and the wealthy. Sucked in by the promise of beautiful scenery, the idea of staying at a truly…

Stokes County, NC. Neill Caldwell – The Stokes News Experience the mighty Dan River flowing from the northwest in Westfield at Jessup Mill Access, to southeast at Pine Hall Bridge Access. The Dan passes through the Sauratown range keeping waters cool and refreshing for kayaking, canoeing, or river tubing. In…

Henderson County, NC Art means more when you meet the person who created it. This July, Hendersonville encourages you to meet the artists who live and work along some of the most creative routes in the region. Blue Ridge Craft Trails Month highlights three distinct trails throughout Henderson County that…

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…

The beautifully preserved Colonial village of Edenton is often referred to as the Prettiest Small Town in the South. All it takes is one visit to see why. Seemingly around every corner is an Instagram-worthy view. For many, Edenton offers the ideal combination of historic charm and scenic beauty. Established…

Eastern Music Festival (EMF), Greensboro’s nationally recognized classical music festival and summer educational program, returns to the stage June 26 through July 31, 2021, Celebrating 60 Years of Musical Excellence. For six decades each summer, extraordinary musicians from around the world gather in Greensboro, bringing their talents to perform the…

Here is how to enjoy a weekend in Mount Holly by getting outside and onto the Catawba River in Gaston County, located just outside of Charlotte, NC. Let the adventure begin! Make your way to Tailrace Marina, where you can rent a variety of personal vessels available for hourly and…

Goldsboro, NC Nestled in the heart of eastern NC between Raleigh and the coast, we are a destination with rich culture and heritage. Our heritage has deep military and agricultural roots. And, let us not forget to mention our legendary BBQ! We sum up ourselves with 3 Ps: pigs, pickles, and…

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…

Henderson County, NC Western North Carolina is known for black bears. They roam the Blue Ridge Mountains and are often a topic of conversation among visitors. Downtown Hendersonville honors the furry natives each year by populating Main Street with 20 colorful versions for the Bearfootin’ Art Walk. Each sculpture is…

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…

Driving on a cloudless Carolina blue sky day is always fabulous but the destination anticipation is exhilarating! You see the mountain ahead however there’s so much more to explore. Downtown Pilot Mountain is open for visitors. Along with several events scheduled this summer downtown has many places for you to…

Avery County, North Carolina Every Friday, running May 31 through August 30, our Brewhouse will host Purposeful Pints. As always, Beech Mountain Brewing Co. is a family-friendly environment. Bring the kids, bring the whole family! Our unique brewery is nestled in the village of Beech Mountain Resort which offers mountain…

3 Locations | Saturdays & Sundays | May – September Gaston County, NC If you haven’t taken a spin on the open water aboard a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, it’s probably just a matter of time. Participation in paddling has been on the rise over the past few years…

Stokes County, NC Discover your best summer days in a “Stokes State of Mind” along the sandy banks of the Dan River or along the trails of Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County, North Carolina.  This summer picnic with friends, family and Doggo in the wide open spaces within…