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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!

The Hendersonville Cheers! Trail welcomes two new breweries, as well as a winery tasting room and bistro. The popular trail now includes 17 stops serving wine, beer, cider and mead from downtown Hendersonville throughout the Blue Ridge Mountain countryside. Burning Blush Brewery, which opened in late 2019, creates a pub-style…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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“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…

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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…

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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…

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Weekly Destinations to Enjoy