TRAVEL & OUTDOORS

Travel

Travel
Feb 2024
This spring, head to the Windy City for all-new performances, one-of-a-kind dining experiences, and modern architecture

Nov 2023
On a recently added nonstop flight from our local airport, fly out west this winter to experience the Mile High City’s arts and culture, food and bevs, and snowy, outdoor majesties

Jun 2023
A summer getaway in Highlands, and the retro-cool Skyline Lodge

Mar 2023
An abundant resource, poplar wood has a staggering mountain history

Mar 2022
From a scary-steep ride to historical encounters and a swig of Tennessee whiskey, our travel writer dives into Chattanooga

Jun 2017
Hit the road to five off-the-beaten-path historic sites that hold lessons aplenty

Oct 2016
Embark on a tour of six distinct wine-producing regions in WNC, and find out why each of our vineyards and wineries can boast of unique and notable fruits of the vine.

Apr 2016
As tourism continues to rise, local college students size up the economic impact

Apr 2016
The winding route to Plumtree through far western Avery County on U.S. 19 East is the very definition of a road trip. It’s the kind of byway most people would take only if this out-of-the-way hamlet were the destination itself. But for fans of beer and scenic beauty, a thriving brewery and a cluster of outdoor options are enticing reasons to tour the North Toe River valley’s flower-filled fields.

Aug 2015
Hop the border to Virginia’s Primland for a luxury experience that reaches for the stars

Aug 2015
Burke County is bursting with options for your next adventure

Jul 2015

Feb 2015
Head to Charleston this spring to tour grand estates and prize-worthy gardens

Aug 2014
Internationally known for the quality of the mica in its soil, Spruce Pine is also ground zero for one of the most highly regarded craft communities in the nation. Potters and other artisan wizards work in the hills and hollers that surround Mineral City, making Spruce Pine a prime base for hiking, touring, and studio-hopping.

Jun 2014
The Southern Outer Banks beckon with pristine beaches, wild horses, and 300 years of swashbuckling lore

Jun 2014
County: Madison Population: 868

May 2014
Head across the mountains to explore all that’s new in this revitalized and thriving city

Dec 2013
County: Watauga, Population: 1,425

Oct 2013
History lessons and a British pub await in this little college town

Aug 2013
Bursting with shops and eateries in quaint brick buildings, Black Mountain looks and feels like a storybook village brought to life. Nestled in the Swannanoa Valley, the town first rose to prominence as a stop for tourists traveling to Mount Mitchell by train, and later by automobile. Modern travelers will also find it a charming place to explore.

Jun 2013

Apr 2013
Three new reads chronicle adventures past and present

Apr 2013
This Polk County town’s image is forever tied to the steep railroad grade that once brought passengers to downtown, but more recently its outdoor persona is on the rise.

Mar 2013
Head east for a historic home tour, delicious sandwiches, and furniture shopping

Oct 2012

Aug 2012
Founded in 1779, long before Tennessee became a state, quiet little Jonesborough served as the capital of the geopolitical oddity known as the Lost State of Franklin, a territory along the North Carolina border that was organized as America's 14th state. It lasted from 1784 to 1788 but was never formally recognized by the union. Jonesborough is best enjoyed on foot, so park the car and stroll this historically rich town to appreciate the fine old houses and same westward-ho views that early pioneers took in.

Jun 2012

Jun 2012
Slip away to peaceful Apalachicola for sun, siestas, solitude, and a taste of wild Florida

Apr 2012
Explore Bryson City’s fun mix of old and new

Feb 2012
Between Old Fort and Marion, make a detour for quaint Pleasant Gardens

Dec 2011
Hide out from stress at one of these soothing retreats

Sep 2011
Autumn is upon us, and you can park yourself in the backyard and watch the leaves put on a show.

Aug 2011
Go for the Historic Morganton Festival, then stay and play

May 2011
You are now leaving WNC. Don’t call us traitors for straying from our beloved natural wonderland. Sometimes you just have to play outside the lines. After all, much of what we love here—lofty peaks, wild rivers, picturesque lakes, and awe-inspiring trails—spills over into Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Summer is the season to grab your gear, whether it be a life jacket, fishing rod, hiking boots, or mountain bike, and head for great escapes just across the border.

Feb 2011
Let local chefs and guides lead you to the wonders of Italian and French cuisine with these delicious tours abroad

Sep 2010
The capital of the Southeast is bigger, bolder, and better than ever

Jul 2010
Check in to some of WNC’s eco-friendly accommodations

Jun 2010
From family weekend getaways to the partying antics of rock stars, this Bat Cave inn was built to house good times