[Updated September 10, 2025] For far too long, Hendersonville NC seemed like the Jan Brady to Asheville‘s Marcia, never quite garnering all the accolades and attention it deserved. But in recent years, Asheville’s immense popularity has proven to be a double-edged sword. Thanks to national media attention, Asheville’s population has grown by nearly 12% since … Read more
We’ve visited 40 to 50 towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains over the past two years, from like Asheville and Roanoke to tiny burghs like Burnsville NC and Hiawassee GA. But as we begin to narrow down the search for our future mountain home, few towns have impressed us quite as much as Brevard, North Carolina. There … Read more
[Updated October 27, 2024] For approximately 340 days a year, the tiny town of McAdenville, North Carolina (population 900) is a quiet community with a charming little downtown area. But every year from December 2-26, this quaint Charlotte suburb transforms into “Christmas Town USA,” one of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina. Ranked … Read more
[Updated on 1/3/2023] Located about 85 miles northeast of Asheville, Boone NC is a popular mountain town that’s packed full of outdoor activities and attractions. From Blue Ridge Parkway road trips and beloved hiking trails to enjoying the area’s many fun festivals and art galleries, Boone offers a little something for everyone. Three of North Carolina’s best ski … Read more
[Updated November 30, 2024] The state of Virginia may not be the first place you think of when it comes to winter sports. There aren’t as many ski resorts in Virginia as there are in neighboring states like North Carolina and West Virginia, and the opportunities for skiing in Virginia pale in comparison to Rocky … Read more
[Updated November 9, 2024] In winter, Asheville NC is still a great place to be. It’s cold enough for some snow and snuggles by a cozy fire, but sheltered enough not to be an absolute Arctic blast. Christmas in Asheville includes luxury venues like the Biltmore Estate and nearby NC mountain towns, with festive lights and … Read more
[Updated November 6, 2025] Growing up in North Georgia, you couldn’t drive very far into the Blue Ridge Mountains without seeing the famous “SEE ROCK CITY” signs painted on barns, birdhouses, and more. And yet, for some odd reason, my family never visited Rock City Gardens, which has been a popular Chattanooga-area attraction for 90 … Read more
[Updated November 2, 2025] As a boy growing up in the North Georgia suburbs east of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park (the state’s most-visited tourist attraction) was a huge part of my childhood. So when I grew up and had a daughter, visiting Stone Mountain for its fun festivals (including the Pumpkin Festival and Stone Mountain Highland … Read more
[Updated December 9, 2022] The Western North Carolina mountains have practically everything you could possibly want if you’re looking for a back-to-nature getaway. Home to the five tallest mountains east of the Mississippi, countless cascading waterfalls, adventurous hiking trails, and bustling mountain towns, the region offers beautiful scenery every which way you turn. After a full day … Read more
The state of North Carolina has developed a reputation as THE place for good beer on the East Coast. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the hipster haven of Asheville have even managed to attract craft brewing royalty such as Sierra Nevada and New Belgium. Outside of Asheville (a.k.a. “Beer City”), the small towns of Western … Read more
