The 10 Best Things to Do in Winston Salem NC

Things to do in Winston Salem North Carolina - Mural

The city of Winston-Salem is centrally located in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, between the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and the NC low country. It’s about an hour west of Durham, an hour north of Charlotte, and 2 hours east of Asheville.   Salem has been a settlement since the mid-1700s, before the state of … Read more

30 Fun Facts About Appalachian Scots-Irish History & Culture

Scottish Pipe Band at Appalachian Scots-Irish Festival in Blairsville GA

โ€œO Bessie Bell and Mary Gray, they were two bonnie lasses…โ€ Written by a long-forgotten author in the 1700s, this poem memorializes a haunting tale from Scotland about two young cousins who succumbed to the black plague. There are countless other poems, songs, and stories that were brought to America by the Scots-Irish people.   … Read more

The 12 Best Hendersonville Apple Orchards for Apple Picking & More

The Best Hendersonville Apple Orchards for Apple Picking, Hayrides and more

[Updated August 30, 2025] Did you know that North Carolina is the 7th largest apple producing state in the USA? Or that Hendersonville Apple Orchards are the most prolific apple producing orchards in the state of North Carolina?     There are a whopping 19 Hendersonville apple orchards, which is pretty amazing for a Blue … Read more

The 10 Best Cherokee NC Campgrounds to Visit

Deep Creek Campground in Bryson City NC by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

There are many fine Cherokee NC campgrounds that make a fantastic hub for exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway is at the national park’s entrance, just 3.5 miles north of Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary. Other awesome attractions in … Read more

The 15 Most Haunted Places in North Carolina

Fire whirl at Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge -Haunted Places in North Carolina

[Updated August 8, 2023] North Carolina’s state history is deep and sometimes sordid, with lots of interplay between cultures, humans and nature, and even some inexplicable phenomena. From the mysterious disappearance of the “lost colony” of Roanoke Islan) to the dark history of the Cherokee removal and the Civil Rights era, this history is riddled … Read more

Fall in North Carolina: 25 Great Places to See Fall Colors in NC

Fall in North Carolina: Fall Colors on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City NC

[Updated August 6, 2023] Fall in North Carolina is particularly special because the autumn leaves are around for an extended amount of time. The vibrant fall colors almost seem to develop in shifts, gradually working their way down the sides of the Blue Ridge Mountains as seasonal temperatures begin to drop. Leaves changing in North Carolina … Read more

The 25 Best Pumpkin Patches in NC

Pumpkin Patch in North Carolina

[Updated 8/6/2023] When autumn rolls around there are tons of fun activities and annual traditions to look forward to. But you could argue that none are quite as iconic as picking out the perfect pumpkin for the season. Whether you’re looking forward to spending an evening carving jack-o-lanterns, baking pumpkin pies, or creating unique seasonal … Read more

The 20 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains

Fall color Smoky Mountains

Autumn annually amazes western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee visitors with fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. In our experience, the best scenic views in the Smoky Mountains can rival any place in the world. And autumn is arguably the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains. Forests on these peaks are thick with deciduous hardwood trees … Read more

The Best Lake Day Gear & Accessories for Summer

Lake Day

My lady and I are HUGE lake day lovers, and have been for years.  Since travel is work for us, a day at the lake feels like a vacation, with time for swimming, enjoying a lake float, grilling food, watching birds and butterflies, and just hanging out with friends and family.  We’ve been going to Lake … Read more