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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!

Over 2 million people serve our country in both active and reserve roles in the military each year. A tour to a military base can not only give you an appreciation for what these guys and gals do every day, but also allow visitors to marvel at the engineering, admire…

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A favorite Blue Ridge Mountain tradition returns this month with the opening of Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2020 season. The playhouse — nicknamed little Broadway in the mountains and officially designated the state theater of North Carolina — brings top-notch musicals, plays and concerts to the small community of Flat Rock just…

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 A new brewery has taken root in Western North Carolina that brings a different approach to the craft beer scene.  Sideways Farm & Brewery opened this past August in the rural Henderson County community of Etowah. Although surrounded by dozens of craft breweries in the towns of Hendersonville, Brevard and…

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The turn in the temperature signals a new season on Grandfather Mountain — and the return of a bargain allowing unlimited access to the park for six months. The Secret Season Pass allows holders unlimited, six-month access to the park November 2019 through April 2020. An individual Secret Season Pass…

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This Valentine’s Day snuggle up during a romantic weekend in the Sauratown Mountains at Hanging Rock State Park, undoubtedly the crowning jewel of Stokes County. This beautiful park offers something special for each sharing Valentine’s weekend together with campsite or cabin rentals. Visitors looking for a relaxing stroll or an…

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The third weekend in February is Beech Mountain’s 9th Annual Retro 80’s celebration, which has been named one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. From Thursday, February 20th through Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, visitors can take a trip down memory lane to the…

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Haze Gray Vineyards, which draws its name from the color of U.S. naval ships, opened its winery and tasting room on Dec. 19. Owners Deane and Becky Muhlenberg have long-standing military ties, including Deane’s three-decade career as a Navy flight officer. The Muhlenbergs relocated to Surry County three years ago…

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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…

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How many times have you walked into a business with high expectations and were thoroughly surprised to have those expectations exceeded in every way? Webb Custom Kitchen in Historic Downtown Gastonia is such a venue. When you walk through the doors of this re-engineered 1927 Theater, you are surrounded by…

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The state-of-the-art destination distillery at Southern Distilling Company has been a jewel in the crown of the Statesville region’s thriving craft beverage community since 2017, growing in popularity and gaining attention among locals and tourists alike.  However, there are big changes on the horizon for this craft distillery. Owners, Pete…

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Weekly Destinations to Enjoy