The rural town of Dobson makes the most of its Yadkin Valley location with stunning scenery, rolling terrain for outdoor activities and sprawling vineyards for growing grapes. It’s a quiet and relaxing getaway, less than two hours from Charlotte and less than an hour from Winston-Salem. Dobson’s rural nature allows…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

When the time is right for traveling again, those who enjoy outdoor adventure and craft spirits will find an ideal getaway in the small riverside town of Elkin. Locals are quite fond of saying “all trails lead to Elkin,” and there’s a lot of truth in that. This friendly place,…

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…

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 –…

It can bring solace in times of uncertainty to think about those aspects of life which move forward unaffected. In the vineyards of the Yadkin Valley, grapes grow on leafy vines, marking the promise of a coming harvest just a few months away. Nobody knows when executive orders will be…

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…

Eastern Music Festival (EMF), Greensboro’s nationally recognized classical music festival and summer educational program, returns June 27 through August 1, 2020, for a season of Classics Reimagined. For nearly six decades each summer, extraordinary musicians from around the world gather in Greensboro bringing their talents to perform the works of…

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…

April 17-19, 2020, The Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill is a family friendly event presented by Historic Rural Hill. Come and experience all the fun with Highland Dancing, Bagpipe Bands, Highland Athletics, a Giant Kid’s Zone, Scottish Merchants, Haggis, Celtic Rock and Traditional Performers, Historic Reenactments, Scottish Country…

On Saturday, April 11th Pilot Mountain Unites is proud to announce our inaugural Community For A Cause 5k & Fun Run!! Join in supporting local efforts with a day of friendly competition and family fun. If you register by March 30th you are guaranteed a t-shirt and swag bag. You’ll…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Fresh brewed beers of Smoke and Fire. Tasty sessionable beers from the traditional to the outrageous. Brewed the HoHCBC way with real ingredients on site right behind the bar. If you’re wondering what the heck is a “sessionable” beer is, it merely means it’s a…

A new decade brings new experiences for guests to enjoy at Grandfather Mountain in 2020. With a mission to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain, the nonprofit nature park and its staff are readying for an eventful year….

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…

All roads lead to Surry County in the Yadkin Valley on Saturday,   April 18, as three wineries host events, including the official grand opening of North Carolina’s newest winery, Haze Gray Vineyards. For folks in the Charlotte region, the events are less than two hours away, while folks in…

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…

Join more than 35 breweries from across North Carolina at the Unknown Brewing Company, March 21, for the fourth installment of craft brewing’s most unique traveling festival. Recently voted as one of the top 10 beer festivals in the country by the USA Today, Biére de Femme festival was created…

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…

Join us March 14-15 for 2 days of Historic Festivities including. Celtic Musicians and Dancers, Bagpipers, Celtic Warriors in action.  This year we’re adding more fun to the party with a VIP area in our 200-year old historic Alexander Cabin. This exclusive ticket includes a private Tavern Experience, where you’ll…

The Rural Hill Food Truck Rally has something for everyone! On March 22nd 11am – 4pm let your kids run wild in the Kids Zone (fee applies), learn about cooking over an open flame at the historic Rural Retreat Cabin. Challenge your friends and family to a round of corn…

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…

Guidon Brewing (pronounced gi-don) is a veteran, American, German, and family-owned and operated company dedicated to the art of brewing high quality, carefully crafted beer. Our combined knowledge of fine quality food and beverages from around the world drives our passion to provide our customers with the same quality we’ve…

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…

The turn in the temperature signals a new season on Grandfather Mountain — and the return of a bargain allowing unlimited access to the park for six months. The Secret Season Pass allows holders unlimited, six-month access to the park November 2019 through April 2020. An individual Secret Season Pass…

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…

The third weekend in February is Beech Mountain’s 9th Annual Retro 80’s celebration, which has been named one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. From Thursday, February 20th through Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, visitors can take a trip down memory lane to the…

Haze Gray Vineyards, which draws its name from the color of U.S. naval ships, opened its winery and tasting room on Dec. 19. Owners Deane and Becky Muhlenberg have long-standing military ties, including Deane’s three-decade career as a Navy flight officer. The Muhlenbergs relocated to Surry County three years ago…

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…

The state-of-the-art destination distillery at Southern Distilling Company has been a jewel in the crown of the Statesville region’s thriving craft beverage community since 2017, growing in popularity and gaining attention among locals and tourists alike.  However, there are big changes on the horizon for this craft distillery. Owners, Pete…

An invigorating winter getaway awaits in the mile-high elevations surrounding Banner Elk. This town in the North Carolina mountains offers the chance to get outdoors with hiking and exploring at Grandfather Mountain, as well as snowtubing at nearby ski resorts. One of the biggest winter attractions in the area is…