/ ALL ARTICLES CHRONOLOGICALLY

Destinations off the beaten path

Why History Buffs Are Flocking to Kings Mountain This Fall!

Ditch the history books and grab your tricorn hat! Kings Mountain is bringing the American Revolution back to life with Liberty Mountain. Expect thrilling live theater, booming black-powder demos, and Loyalist reenactments. Come hungry for local bites and stay for the drama from September 19 to October 11!

Rides, Peaches, and Music: Inside Patrick County’s Packed Fall Lineup!

Visit Patrick County, Virginia, for a September packed with mountain festivals, agricultural traditions, and homegrown treats! Pack your bags for camping at Front Porch Fest 17, gospel harmonies, and fair rides. Loosen your belt for fresh Woolwine peaches and artisan bakery goods from local sunset markets today!

Cats, Knives, And Chaos: The Crazy New Addition Coming To The Ren Fest This Fall!

Head to Huntersville, North Carolina, for the 33rd Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival! Pack your bags for jousting tournaments, trained cat and rat stunt shows, and falconry displays. Loosen your belt for giant turkey legs, artisan treats, and medieval feats across eight weekends from October 3 through November 22 today!

Grammy Winners and Natural Wood Acoustics: Inside WNC’s Premier Blues Festival!

Head to downtown Black Mountain, North Carolina, for the 2026 Black Mountain Blues Experience! Pack your bags for intimate 200-seat indoor shows, rich natural wood acoustics, and world-class Grammy nominees. Loosen your belt for local craft brewery pints and mountain dining between front-row blues sets from September 25–27 today!

2019 marks the 45th continuous year of “Stokes Stomp Festival on the Dan”, the longest running North Carolina Arts and Music Festival held along the beautiful Dan River in Danbury. Stomp, the signature festival making the founding of local Stokes County Arts Council, is held each September on the second…

View more

RiverFest is a celebration of Eden’s art, history, and river heritage. This annual event takes place in Historic Downtown Eden. The downtown area dates back to 1797. Come and enjoy two stages of live music, lots of great food, over 100 artisans and crafters, interactive activities for the kids, a…

View more

Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains sits a tiny gem called Round Peak Vineyards. One of the first wineries in the Yadkin Valley, Round Peak Vineyards is a boutique winery focused on small lot winemaking and is charmingly individual. The current owners Ken Gulaian and wife Kari Heerdt…

View more

The last week of September is a wonderful time to visit Mount Airy, the town that inspired Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show. Mount Airy more than doubles in size as fans from far and wide come “home” to Mayberry. This year’s Mayberry Days celebration takes place Sept. 23-29 and…

View more

September 2, 2022 Head to Morganton this autumn for a unique way to view fall foliage. Once again, the Burke County Tourism Development Authority offers fall color tours aboard the Ridgeline Trolley. The tours begin in downtown Morganton and showcase spectacular fall color by traveling into the Blue Ridge Mountains…

View more

The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville is the latest North Carolina region to receive federal recognition of its vineyards and wineries. This past July, Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County became an American Viticultural Area, or AVA. Only regions that have distinctive soil, climate and elevation earn this…

View more

Not far from the Piedmont of North Carolina is the foothills town of Elkin, which sits on the Yadkin River. Elkin’s location provides easy access to the Yadkin River Trail, an officially designed state blueway trail encompassing nearly 130 miles of the river. The river consists mostly of gently flowing…

View more

One of the most user-friendly trail systems in the state is taking shape along the banks of Lake James in Western North Carolina. The Fonta Flora State Trail is under development by Burke County and will eventually encircle the picturesque lake located about 90 miles northwest of downtown Charlotte. About…

View more

This August, amateur and professional photographers can visit Grandfather Mountain’s classroom in the clouds to hear presentations from top photojournalists and improve their skills. The annual Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic returns Aug. 17-18, also allowing participants the rare opportunity to photograph the park outside of regular business hours, while providing…

View more

The Valdese LPDA – host of the Western Regional Bocce Tournament on August 10 – puts the finishing touches on its “old” new sign at 301 Laurel St SE in Valdese. Le Phare des Alpes (LPDA) was founded in 1909 by the Waldensian settlers as a mutual insurance cooperative.  It…

View more

Join Morganton in celebrating 38 years of the Morganton Festival!  The free festival features free music all day plus national country acts, Kid Zone fun with rides and games, and food for all ages, plus over a mile and a half of arts & craft vendors from all over the…

View more

Tobacco Wood Brewing Company I have been watching Tobacco Wood Brewing Company for nearly a year now. Not from a distance, but from my favorite perch in the taproom. The one directly in front of the big screen showing the what is on the 15 taps, all the beers are made…

View more

Beech Mountain, N.C. is a prime destination for outdoor adventure all year long. Our cool summer and fall seasons offer biking, hiking, fishing, roller skating, and dry tubing, while winter in the highest town in eastern America provides the perfect climate for skiing, tubing, snowboarding and ice skating. And you…

View more

Goldsboro, NC, Has The Tour For You. Goldsboro, NC, has got a busy calendar for you this Fall! Visit Goldsboro, Travel, and Tourism for Goldsboro, is running a Fall program of tours throughout September and October with something for everyone on the schedule. Read on to find the tour for…

View more

Each Labor Day weekend for more than 70 years, Hendersonville and Henderson County have celebrated their place as the top apple-producing region in North Carolina. This year will be no exception as the North Carolina Apple Festival takes over downtown Hendersonville for four days, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. Festival-goers…

View more

As summer makes its last hoorah, settle into a Stokes County state of mind to watch as the rural tree line fades into beautiful autumn shades. As temperatures turn cooler, grass of green below your feet will lead to airwaves filled with sounds of good ole time blue grass, folk,…

View more

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 terms…. and compels you to come…

View more

At the center of Eden, NC’s historic district, the textured handmade brick, arched windows and portico of the Spray Mercantile building reflect in the historic Spray Canal.  This is the setting for Grown & Gathered, a farm to table charitable event celebrating and showcasing local farmers and artisans.  Prepared by…

View more

Join Anchored Soul for our 1st annual “Bon Temps Paddle Battle on Wylie” in Belmont, NC! Whether you’re a concert-goer, fun-seeker, or paddler, we have something for you. To start off the event there are 7, 3.5, & 1-mile paddle races plus a kids race which you can participate in…

View more

Surry County, in the heart of North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley, has always been a playground for outdoor adventure. Now, there’s a map guiding the way. The Surry County Four Rivers Outdoor Adventure Map – available both in print and online – highlights hiking, paddling, cycling and fishing options in a…

View more

The Beech Mountain Brewing Company Taproom and Grill and the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria will be the venues for the Beech Mountain Throwback Music Weekend, August 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The family-friendly event takes place over three days. Friday and Saturday night performances at the Taproom are $10 each night…

View more

The Beer Lab was an idea created from our R&D (Research & Drinking) Events at our original location, where we would unleash 7 new beers at a time and experiment with exotic ingredients, fruit, and yeast.  Limited by space constraints (storage, seating, taps) it was difficult to bring out new…

View more

Situated atop a knoll outside Morganton with gorgeous views of the South Mountains is Silver Fork Winery. Owners Jennifer Foulides and Ed Wisnieski left corporate America behind in 2013 to move south and create a place to sip, nibble and relax. Silver Fork Winery is just that place. The wines…

View more

If being a better steward of our planet is important to you, here is a reward program that will (m)eat your standards. Tour De Pork is a summer showcase featuring restaurants committed to sourcing ethical meats and who, collectively, utilize all parts of the hog. Each pork part deserves a…

View more

Outdoor adventure abounds in the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville, North Carolina. The town’s location — surrounded by hills and valleys covered in old-growth forests with rivers and streams flowing throughout — makes it an ideal destination to escape the indoor confines and reconnect with nature. The French Broad…

View more

Breathtaking views along scenic vistas at 2,579 feet in elevation can be found in the Piedmont of North Carolina along the Sauratown Mountain Range in Stokes County. Outdoor enthusiasts, in for a challenge, can achieve this elevation as they summit Moore’s Knob in Hanging Rock State Park. Hike the 4.3…

View more

Gaston County has a wealth of parks with countless activities for all ages to enjoy that are fun, affordable, and right around the corner.   Gaston County Parks are much more than swings and picnic tables. Fourteen parks on the  Park Hop Scavenger Hunt. Park Hop is a fun and…

View more

This year we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of our first Skull Campout by offering two camping events – one on July 20th and another on September 7th. Come experience the vineyard under the stars! Our annual, signature event features camping in the vineyard, live music, dinner from the Skull…

View more

Summer is packed full of events in Goldsboro, NC, and whether you’re into music, the great outdoors, some alternative spooky ghost stories or just good old fashioned al fresco drinking and dining in the sun, Goldsboro has got your summer sorted. The annual Center Street Jams are back, and every…

View more

This relaxed, family-friendly festival features children’s activities during daylight hours, plenty of shade, and free nearby parking, with free shuttle service. Food options include BBQ, ribs, and chicken, along with vegetarian and vegan offerings. The local focus extends into the beverage offerings, with Angry Troll Brewing, Skull Camp Brewing and…

View more

On the second Saturday of each August, Valdese, North Carolina celebrates its heritage with the Waldensian Festival. Now in its 44th year, the festival will be held on August 9th and 10th. This annual event commemorates the return of the Waldenses from exile in Switzerland to their native valleys in…

View more

Music to feature Steep Canyon Rangers, Acoustic Syndicate, Galactic and moe. Beech Mountain Resort is excited to announce the 2019 Summer Concert Series presented by Appalachian Mountain Brewery. Happening in June, July and August, the Summer Concert Series 2019 will offer three outdoor shows featuring contemporary roots music greats the…

View more

Rivermen Brewing Company Our story started out on the creeks and rivers of the southeast. The four original partners of Rivermen Brewing Company met on various paddling trips and adventures, lots of beer was enjoyed and friendships formed. We all share a love of paddling, outdoor adventures and beer. Over…

View more

The State of Origin Beer Festival in Morganton expands its reach this June while remaining true to its “drink local” philosophy. The sixth annual event takes place Saturday, June 8, on the square in downtown Morganton. In its first five years, the festival focused on breweries making beer from local…

View more

Some of downtown Hendersonville’s most beloved residents return this spring. Twenty colorful bear statues take their places along Main Street for the annual Bearfootin’ Art Walk & Auction.  The bears start as blank, white forms, and local artists decorate them with creative designs. The bears appear in May and stay…

View more

Spend Saturday June 29, 9am– 6pm, and Sunday June 30, 12–6pm on a Peach Orchard. Homemade Peach Ice Cream, Homemade Peach XXX Ice Cream, Peach Zonker, Peach Pies, Peach Turnovers, Fresh Breads, Peach Jam, baked goods and of course Peaches are available for picking and purchase. Local music, live bands,…

View more

The 2019 Fireworks Friday Night will be held on June 28, 2019 in conjunction with Family Friday Nights Summer Concert Series.  Each year the Town of Valdese celebrates Independence Day by holding an impressive fireworks display on the football field behind the Old Rock School. Regarded as one of the…

View more

Oink & Ale is back and will take place Saturday, June 22nd from 6 pm. until 9 pm. along Monroe Street in Historic Downtown Eden. You will be able to enjoy barbecue, ribs, brisket, barbecued chicken, MillerCoors, Natty Greenes,  Pig Pounder Brewery and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. products…

View more

Not as well known and heavily traveled as the Catawba River, the South Fork River is an under-the-radar destination that you’ll want to keep all to yourself. Paddling the narrow South Fork River Blueway from Spencer Mountain to Cramerton is just the right amount of Class I-II whitewater to get…

View more

Beat the heat this summer, feel the mountain breeze rushes past you on a zip line or mountain bike adventure in the great outdoors of Stokes County, North Carolina. Take to Hanging Rock State Park trails on two wheels along single track, rock ledge berms, fast flows, stream crossings, and…

View more

The water doesn’t get any cleaner than crystal clear mountain streams whose source is a federally protected wilderness area. No development of any kind is allowed in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area near Morganton in Burke County.  Lake James is primarily fed from the Linville River which comes straight out…

View more

You will be able to enjoy barbecue, ribs, brisket, barbecued chicken, MillerCoors, Pig Pounder Brewery and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. products along with beverages from other local craft brewers.

View more

Weekly Destinations to Enjoy