If you’re a food and wine lover and you’ve never explored the Yadkin Valley in NC, you’re really missing out! The Yadkin Valley region is full of wineries and vineyards to visit, with 44 Yadkin Valley wineries to choose from. Encompassing 1,400,000 acres, the Yadkin Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) includes 7 counties in … Read more
People head to the Smokies of North Carolina and Tennessee for many reasons. Some want to go on epic Great Smoky Mountains hikes, while others want to witness the mysterious Great Smoky Mountains fireflies (a.k.a. Blue Ghost fireflies). Many Smoky Mountains visitors come on a pilgrimage to see lots of waterfalls, but some just want … Read more
Plaza Midwood, a neighborhood just southeast of Uptown Charlotte NC, is one of the fastest growing (and fastest changing) areas of the Queen City. As a longtime local resident, it is also one of my personal favorites! I love to explore Charlotte’s eclectic and culturally diverse neighborhoods, with their always intriguing mix of new and … Read more
[Updated June 7, 2023] When my wife and I explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s typically with two main goals in mind. The first objective is to create in-depth guides on the best things to see and do there. The second is to use that information to decide whether or not we want to move … Read more
[Updated May 29, 2023] In the three years since we launched this site, we’ve visited more than 50 Blue Ridge Mountain towns in the search for our future mountain home. From Blue Ridge and Blairsville GA to Bryson City and Waynesville NC, there have been several different places that made their way onto our shortlist. … Read more
Of all the Great Smoky Mountains attractions, chasing waterfalls is arguably among the most popular and rewarding activities. The Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls are abundant and breathtaking, with hikes that appeal to every age and ability level. In our experience, many of these Smoky Mountains waterfalls are among the most impressive natural attractions … Read more
If you’re eager to spend time at one of the best campgrounds near Canton NC, look no further than the ever-popular Mt Pisgah Campground. Located at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 408.8, at an impressive elevation of 4,980 feet, this particular Pisgah campground is in a perfect spot for exploring the surrounding areas. Camping in the Pisgah … Read more
We’ve explored more than 50 different Blue Ridge Mountain towns over the last few years. Thanks to research skills I’ve developed over 25+ years as a professional travel writer, it’s pretty rare for a place to surprise me in the way Franklin NC did. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, just 2 … Read more
[Updated May 22, 2023] Located about halfway between Bryson City and Asheville, Maggie Valley NC is a small mountain town with something of a split personality. The town has been home to colorful characters such as bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild, bootlegger Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, and Deliverance actor Herbert “Cowboy” Coward (who got his start at the … Read more
“Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?” is a question we get fairly often, and it’s understandable why so many people are confused by the geographical definition of the region. Stretching 550 miles from North Georgia to Southern Pennsylvania, the Blue Ridge Mountain range is part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. So all Blue Ridge … Read more
