North Carolina, nicknamed the “the Tar Heel State,” is filled with a rich history of colonial heritage, Appalachian culture, and noteworthy natural landmarks. Encompassing 53,819 square miles, the state’s diverse landscape ranges from coastal plains and fertile Piedmont to placid mountain lakes and towering mountains that are perfect for snow skiing and snow tubing. Although … Read more
[Updated October 23, 2024] The first time we visited the city back in 2012, we were absolutely blown away by the Asheville food scene. For a 45-square-mile mountain town with a population of around 84,000, the sheer number of critically acclaimed downtown Asheville restaurants was staggering even then. As it turns out, the city is … Read more
There are almost 900 caverns and caves in North Carolina, most of which are located in either the mountains of Western North Carolina or the NC piedmont. But only a few of them are open to the public. That being said, the accessible caves in NC are an impressive collection. Better still, these NC caves are … Read more
Asheville, North Carolina is a special place where the excitement of city life and the thrill of outdoor adventure collide to offer a Blue Ridge mountain town with a seemingly endless list of things to do. In the city, there are countless critically-acclaimed restaurants, an impressive number of quality breweries, and the bustling cultural hotspot … Read more
[Updated December 28, 2021] Asheville NC’s reputation as a forward-thinking, nature-loving town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains precedes it. Despite being only the 12th largest city in the state, Asheville still ranks among the most popular tourist destinations in North Carolina. In addition to the famous Biltmore Estate, the mountain town has … Read more
The waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest rank among the best waterfalls in Western North Carolina. Some of their cascades plummet over 100 feet, pushing thousands of gallons of water per minute into crystalline pools. Pisgah NF occupies over half a million acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching from the border with Virginia in the … Read more
[Updated 12/20/2021] Personally, I’d argue that the best small towns in North Carolina easily rank among the best small towns in America on the whole. Western North Carolina is perhaps best known as home to historic Asheville, one of the most deservedly popular up-and-coming small cities in the United States. However, the Blue Ridge region … Read more
[Updated November 5, 2024] One of the most popular NC Christmas events, Tweetsie Railroad Christmas is a must-see for residents and holiday visitors who spend Christmas in Blowing Rock. Tweetsie Railroad history dates back to 1866, when the Tennessee legislature granted the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad company permission to construct a railroad … Read more
[Updated No 16, 2024] Located in the North Carolina High Country, less than 20 miles from Boone and Blowing Rock, Banner Elk is one of the most beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain towns we’ve ever visited. Once used by the Cherokee people for hunting and fishing, the area surrounding the Elk River was settled by Martin … Read more
Located about 35 miles northeast of Asheville and 40 miles southwest of Banner Elk, the town of Burnsville NC has long lived in the shadow of its more famous neighbors. In fact, when we told a friend who lives near Boone that we were headed to Burnsville for a 4-day visit, his first reaction was, … Read more
