At Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. in Oxford, NC, stellar craft beers and delectable cuisine come hand-in-hand with a strong sense of patriotism—all while staying local-first.

Join Anchored Soul, the City of Belmont & Gaston County Travel & Tourism for our 4th annual “Bon Temps Paddle Battle on Wylie” in Belmont, NC!

Located in Durham and Oxford, North Carolina. Founded in 2018 and is the first female veteran-owned brewery in NC. Tobacco Wood Brewery is dedicated to creating a unique taproom and beer garden experience that is both educational and enjoyable.

The weekend of October 8 & 9 come out to Roaring River and Celebrate Oktoberfest in our German Pavilion. Music, games, brats & beer rule the day.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

Meet us in Gaston County for these three great events; Adventure Race and opening of the Boathouse in McAdenville, Tuck Fest at US National Whitewater Center and Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships with Bike Fest at George Poston Park.

Don’t miss Christmas County, an extravaganza of festivals and events designed to celebrate this special time of year. 

Years ago, it was as if magic was in the air when the holidays rolled around. Each year the whole family would hop in the car to make a special trip into town to scour the street on a hunt for the perfect holiday gift for each of our family and friends. Poinsettias, twinkling lights, silver and gold ornaments, greenery and red bows, would decorate the stores while Nat King Cole filled the room putting you in the holiday spirit. 

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Gaston County, NC The Carolina Thread Trail will bring back its annual National Trails Day celebration on Saturday, June 5, 2021 with an increased focus on safety and social distancing. National Trails Day is a great way to kick off the summer and safely enjoy the outdoors. This free, family-friendly…

Gaston County, NC After navigating the threat of Covid-19 for a year, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden reopened to the public on March 17. The Garden has operated under various scenarios over the past year, but with vaccinations increasing and the spread on the decline, the Garden will now open more…

Gaston County, NC Thinking that our destination’s outdoor brand could enjoy growth through greater consumer diversity, we reached out for BFCT’s help. In spring 2020, the Travel & Tourism team hosted Earl on a site visit so he could see first-hand what our potential guests would experience during a weekend…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Interaction with others who share your enthusiasm for discovering new places and trying new things is a big part of getting out and supporting craft producers across the region.  But needlessly interacting with somebody isn’t cool, like having to hand your phone to somebody to…

The Visit NC Farms Phone app, developed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, connects millions of North Carolina residents and visitors to farmers and local food – one community at a time and Gaston County is now one of those places. Using cell phone technology, residents and…

Gaston County Travel & Tourism has created a free game pass to promote the Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail experience and the eight individual businesses that are part of it in both Gaston and Cleveland counties. The Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail derives its name from the Ridgeline Trail which connects Crowders…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Happy New Year! We hope that during 2021 you get a chance to take care of yourself, and step back from the stress of the time. Relax, explore, reboot. We suggest discovering boutique craft beverage producers across the state responsibly and supporting small communities while…

Conventions, Conferences, Culinary Creations, Creative Craft Beverages, & Chill. The city of Gastonia is the perfect urban trail head. In the heart of Gaston county, any direction you venture, you will find something new to discover & enjoy. As diverse as your destinations are in Gastonia, the choices for your…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post This is the time of year that we usually look forward to or dread spending time with our families. This year is going to be just slightly different. But that does not mean that it has to be bad. You can still get out and…

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…

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…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post 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, share a bottle, or enjoy a tasting to…

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…

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…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Dedicated to bringing you damn good beer. Dry Falls Brewing Co. started out as a dream between father and son while sitting in a brewery on a family vacation. Romanticizing the idea while drinking a flight of twenty-four different brews, Jeff and Evan found their…

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…

Carolina Craft Passport Trail Post Dedicated to bringing you damn good beer. Triskelion Brewing Company is dedicated to bringing you damn good beer. That’s it. That’s their goal. They like to do other stuff too… but primarily… at the taphouse, the main objective is simply to produce the best beer…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

To paraphrase the popular Andy Williams song, it’s the busiest time of the year. And in Gaston County, there’s a ton of fun stuff to do this Christmas season. Whether you’re young or old, new to the community or a lifelong resident, you’re sure to find something fun to do…

Gaston County is an international destination for outdoors enthusiasts. Professional athletes and weekend warriors go to Gaston County to climb, ride, paddle, swim, zip, hike, and about any other activity you can think of. Rivers, mountains, parks, and Olympic training centers are all available for you to experience.  Almost every…