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Destinations off the beaten path

The Secret Reason Foodies Are Heading to Hanging Rock (And It’s Not the View!

Ready to swap the daily grind for serious mountain magic? Pack your bags and escape to Stokes County, North Carolina! Ditch your alarm, soar on high-flying ziplines, conquer Hanging Rock Summit, and indulge in a fabulous multi-stop culinary tour. Loosen your belt for incredible local eats and claim your paradise this weekend!

Hiding Inside This Restored Historic NC Fire Station…

Ditch your alarm and grab your keys for an off-the-beaten-path escape to Albemarle, North Carolina! Pack your bags for panoramic vineyard views, effortless mountain summits, and craft beers in a historic fire station. Loosen your belt for global bistro eats and toast to the ultimate backyard adventure this weekend!

What Secret is at the End of This Only-By-Boat NC Peninsula?

Pack your bags and escape the summer heat in stunning Burke County, North Carolina! Ditch your alarm to explore the cool mountain waters of Lake James and Lake Rhodhiss. Loosen your belt after a day of sandy beaches, scenic pontoon cruises, and effortless kayaking. Claim your ultimate foothills paradise today!

The Unexpected NC Town Hosting a Massive International Film Bash This July!

Ditch your alarm and head straight to Kings Mountain, North Carolina, for the Real to Reel International Film Festival! Pack your bags for an incredible weekend of world-class independent cinema, thought-provoking documentaries, and exclusive filmmaker Q&As. Loosen your belt at local spots and unlock spectacular global storytelling this July!

Which Iconic Mountain Resort Just Completely Scrapped Resort Fees?

Ditch your alarm and escape to the beautifully reimagined Fontana Village Resort! Pack your bags for renovated Smoky Mountain lodge rooms and cabins with zero resort fees. Loosen your belt at three distinct on-property restaurants, drift down the lazy river, and begin an unforgettable family tradition in paradise this weekend!

The Massive 2-Day NC Street Extravagant That Costs Absolutely Nothing to Enter!

Pack your bags for the legendary Waldensian Festival in downtown Valdese, North Carolina! Ditch your alarm for a massive classic car cruise-in, high-energy live music, and over 160 bustling food and craft vendors. Loosen your belt, tackle the epic obstacle courses, and dive into the ultimate weekend of non-stop family excitement

The Secret Class II Rapids and Hidden Waterfall Locals Try to Keep Quiet!

Ditch your alarm and head straight to Mayodan, North Carolina, for the ultimate summer escape! Pack your bags for a patriotic July 4th festival, exhilarating Class II rapids, and a hidden waterfall. Loosen your belt for classic holiday treats and tackle tight mountain bike switchbacks in paradise this weekend!

Stokes County, NC Some may have walked this section of trails from Pilot to Hanging Rock but not realized that the Sauratown Trail is a unique 25 mile bridle and hiking trail connecting both parks. It is an official section of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail following Segment 7 and…

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Burke County, NC 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. One of the pinnacles of the Burke County countryside is Lake James. The 6,812-acre lake…

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Burke County, NC Valdese is excited to celebrate the summer with several events ranging from the annual Craft Market at the Old Rock School to the Summer Concert Series Kickoff Celebration! While 2020 was a quiet year for Valdese, the town is excited to welcome locals and visitors alike to…

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Surry County, North Carolina Join us this Spring for the annual North Carolina Trail Days Festival, a multi-day festival celebrating the great outdoors, the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and our local trails with activities and adventures all weekend long! The festival kicks off Thursday, June 3rd, and runs through Saturday, June…

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The Old Nick Williams Farm and Distillery, located in the Piedmont of NC, was first established in 1768 and was once known as one of the most revered whiskey distilleries in the United States.  The Eighteenth Amendment in 1919 and subsequent prohibition forced the distillery to temporarily close.  In 2015,…

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The paved trail that marks the beginning of the hike to Waterrock Knob looks harmless enough… but you’ll be glad for an opportunity to stop and take in the views when you realize it’s a steep climb (412 feet) to the summit. Located at Milepost 451.2, Waterrock Knob is the…

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Surry County, North Carolina Join us this Spring for the second annual NC Trail Days June 4-6, a multi-day festival celebrating the great outdoors, the NC Mountains to Sea Trail, and our local trails with activities and adventures all weekend! The Festival is held every first weekend in June in…

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Avery County, North Carolina Dream of a treasure hunt, to be done at your leisure from the comfort of your own car, which leads past timeless works of art, on quiet mountain backroads.  The Avery County Quilt Trail is such a dream, brought to life and headquartered at the Beech…

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Stokes County, NC Stokes County, North Carolina, has long been your mountains just down the road. Bordering with Virginia Stokes County has always been “your mountains just down the road.” In contrast to the timeless beauty of the area, new to the region is the growing number of options for…

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Weekly Destinations to Enjoy