The Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee are spectacular at any time of year, including Winter. Sure, the chilly Smoky Mountains Winter weather drives some folks indoors. But for visitors interested in snow skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, hiking, and/or exploring waterfalls, Winter is a perfect time to visit! Whichever category you fall into, … Read more
[Updated December 22, 2023] From the majestic mountains and scenic coastlines to history and all-out opulence, romantic getaways in NC can take on an incredible array of forms. From the rustic nature of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the art deco architecture of Asheville to the massive dunes of the Outer Banks, options for wonderful romantic getaways in … Read more
[Updated on December 5, 2023] Growing up in North Georgia, some of my favorite childhood memories involved camping and hiking in the mountains with my family. My parents led our church youth group on incredible excursions, hiking up to the summit of Blood Mountain, trekking 14 miles on the Appalachian Trail, and going to visit … Read more
As a longtime Western North Carolina resident (formerly of Brevard, currently of Elkin NC), I’ve spent a lot of time in Asheville over the years. From critically acclaimed restaurants and hip breweries to trendy boutiques and swanky museums, there’s an ever-increasing array of fun things to do in Asheville NC. This burgeoning mountain metropolis is … Read more
[Updated on November 10, 2024] The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina are known as “the Fraser Fir Capital of the World” and Boone NC Christmas Tree Farms have some of the best trees in the eastern United States. Fraser fir needles are soft, dark green, and have a silvery underside. These trees are native to … Read more
[Updated November 2, 2024] After living just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Elkin NC for years, I’ve come to realize that there are an endless array of things to do for Christmas in North Carolina. Whether you’re looking for a choose-and-cut Christmas tree, top-notch Christmas light displays, or shopping in charming Christmas … Read more
[Updated November 30, 2024] Whether you’re continuing a lifelong Christmas tradition or getting your first ever real tree, picking out a tree from one of the many NC Christmas Tree Farms is truly a magical holiday moment. Especially when you’re doing it among the majestic Blue Ridge mountain overlooks and landscapes of North Carolina. Exploring … Read more
[Updated on November 3, 2024] While NC is renowned for an incredible array of popular natural attractions, come holiday time, you can also find dazzling Christmas Lights in North Carolina. Ther are a ton of things to do for Winter in North Carolina and it’s a fantastic place for enjoying festive activities. The temperatures are chilly … Read more
In 2022, my wife Mary decided to make her 80-year-old dad’s longtime dream of spending Christmas in Asheville NC come true. She planned a terrific trip that included two “bucket list” items– the Biltmore Estate Christmas Candlelight Tour and the Polar Express Christmas Train Ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. … Read more
Train rides for Christmas chug back into our lives with a payload of nostalgia on board. Railroads come from a historic era before automobiles and airplanes had been invented. Yet they come rumbling in from afar with an odd sense of odd familiarity, even for those who’ve never been on a train ride before. In our … Read more
