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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!

With everyone in North Carolina looking to get outdoors, we’d recommend looking to Granville County and four unique spaces in Creedmoor and Butner. Lake Rogers  The largest and most spectacular park in Creedmoor is located at Lake Rogers. Located on Highway 56, Lake Rogers is a shallow lake covering 175…

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Some artwork exists for centuries. Yet some pieces are temporary. The Gallery at Flat Rock pairs lasting creations with fleeting ones for its fifth annual “Art in Bloom” exhibit, Sept. 26-27. Located just south of downtown Hendersonville, the gallery is known for its finely curated art and craft. The exhibit…

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Maybe you’ve found a new love for outdoor adventure and the thrill of the hike this summer, while finding a way to pass the time and enjoy fresh mountain air. Step it up a notch and push yourself to go further with a local hiking challenge, asking participants to Conquer…

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Sept 1, 2020Join us on the Ridgeline Trolley for the Fall Color Tour, hosted by Burke Country Tourism. Board the Trolley in Morganton, NC and enjoy the sights as you travel up scenic Highway 181 to Linville, NC. The Tour includes a box lunch that will be eaten at a…

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Bryson City is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s an adventurers playground with some surprisingly luxurious options for relaxing at the end of the day. Home to the Great Smoky Mountain railway, there’s more than one way to immerse yourself in the scenic landscape that envelopes this charming…

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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…

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Henderson County’s Crest of the Blue Ridge wine region is now home to six wine producers following the openings this summer of Marked Tree Vineyard and Stone Ashe Vineyard. Marked Tree sits at an elevation of 2,300 in a picturesque setting along the Eastern Continental Divide. A unique tasting room…

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“Shake it like a Polaroid Picture”, post it on Social Media to claim bragging rights for finding some of the most photographed locations often seen when scrolling past or following local hashtags on Instagram. There’s a certain challenge in searching out and recreating the view of most popular selfie opportunities…

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Weekly Destinations to Enjoy