Stay fit for cheap via these wallet-friendly workouts.
“I be up in the gym just working on my fitness…” New year, new you, new workout regimen?! The beginning of 2024 marks yet another round of fitness-related New Year’s resolutions that usually fall to the wayside come February—especially given gym memberships, workout classes and personal training sessions can be pretty pricey. Doesn’t exactly jibe with those 2024 budget goals, eh? But don’t sweat it (!). Here, we worked up an array of local exercise ops that’ll keep both you and your wallet in shape.
Greenway Walks/Runs Two words: Raleigh’s greenway. Stretching 100+ miles around the city, these paved pathways allow you to explore the city on foot while amping up your heart rate, garnering a high step count and enjoying some good ole Vitamin D. Pro tip: Bring a pal or your pup along for company. Let’s cardi-go!
Run Clubs Run better with buddies? Good news: Raleigh boasts a ream of run clubs perfect for all paces and schedules. Find many meetups around town offered by Fleet Feet in partnership with local breweries multiple nights per week. … Plus a post-jog drink? Yes, please!
Yoga at Dix Park Will bend for free fitness classes and stellar views. During the winter months, take your yoga practice inside The Chapel at Dix Park. And as the weather warms this spring, keep your eyes peeled for outdoor evening classes during golden hour. What’s more serene than a stretch sesh with our city skyline as a backdrop? Namaste, indeed.
Blast to New Bern for memorable eats, drinks and experiences.
What do you get when you combine enthralling NC history, delish ’tails and tastes, and charming waterfront vibes? New Bern, natch. Our state’s second-oldest city not only packs historical prestige, it flaunts inaugural soda beginnings (hey, Pepsi!), elevated experiences along the Neuse River, and oodles of eateries fit for all palates and preferences—from Southern classics to globally inspired fare.
Only a hop, skip and jump away (read: a ~two-hour commute), “the Athens of the South” offers families, couples or pals the perfect destination to pop in for a quick daytrip—or book a weekend at one of its beloved bed-and-brekky spots. Ready to go with the flow?
DO
Tryon Palace “A queen is never late. Everyone else is simply early.” Channel your inner Mia Thermopolis with a jaunt through the former headquarters of the Royal Governor William Tryon while admiring the Georgian-style architecture and peaceful palace gardens. And they said we’ll never be royals… tryonpalace.org
The Birthplace of Pepsi Ready to get fizzical? Belly up to the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola for a simply poppin’ beverage history walking tour. Plus, discover how the OG recipe of what is now known as Pepsi was concocted by local pharmacist Caleb Bradham. History never tasted so good! pepsistore.com
Union Point Park Park it at the recently revamped 6-acre outdoor oasis where the Neuse and Trent rivers meet to delight in sprawling grassy lawns and tables, benches, and grills fit for an enjoyable afternoon with friends or fam (picnic, anyone?). And don your water legs via boat-launch sites ideal for small crafts like kayaks and canoes—or look out for live tunes by the gazebo. How picturesque! visitnewbern.com
EAT
Cypress Hall Kitchen + Bar “Opening the mouths and minds of locals and tourists alike,” this uberpopular Metro-style sup spot invites you in with its creative atmosphere feat. high ceilings, brick walls and elevated design elements—then delivers delicious palatable plates of Eastern NC cuisine chock-full of fresh seasonal ingredients. cypresshallrestaurant.com
Persimmons Restaurant Elegance meets relaxation at this locally owned waterfront gem where you can grab a seat in the inviting downstairs dining room, nestle in at the private upstairs area, or brave the cold for a breath of fresh air by the river. Find executive chef David Rodriguez riffing on classic Southern faves alongside a lineup of fresh farm-to-table fare—think sweet corn and pimento hushpuppies, charred octopus and NC crabcake. Bon appetit! persimmonsrestaurant.net
The Chelsea Merging modern elements with old-fashioned appeal, this upscale sup spot serves a scad of seafood, burgers, pastas and salads amid bistro-style surroundings—or a quiet meal upstairs overlooking the streets of New Bern. Dinner with a view? Say less. No matter your vantage point, the classic American dishes promise to delight for lunch, dinner or dessert. thechelsea.com
DRINK
Baxter’s 1892 It’s giving Gatsby… Take a step back in time by entering this classic cocktail bar situated in downtown’s historic Baxter Building flaunting the highly sought-after jazz club vibes of the Roaring ’20s. Translation: good libations and good vibrations. Settle into a seat at the bar to observe the talented ’tenders as they whip up creative concoctions, and when hunger strikes, nosh on a tapa or two. How ’bout it, doll? baxters1892.com
Harry’s Blind Tiger Ready to earn your stripes at New Bern’s first speakeasy? Sister spot to Cypress Hall Kitchen + Bar, the new downtown go-to opened its doors earlier this year—and has been offering guests an inviting ambiance via an array of tropical greenery, natural light and a lighthearted welcoming feel. With local culinary legend Ashley Moser behind the biz, the food menu leans Italian (pastas, pizzas, etc.), with beer, wine and a lineup of cocktails for pairing. harrysblindtiger.com
Nautical Star Coffee Feeling nauti? Fuel your caffeine addiction with specialty sips (we’ll take an order of the ole Razzle Dazzle, please!) via a must-visit veteran-owned shop aiming to blend up the “greatest cup of coffee possible.” Beyond a good quality-driven cuppa, grab a serving of frozen custard or a milkshake, a pastry, or a glass of beer/wine. Cool beans! nauticalstarcoffee.com
STAY
Photo by John Angelo, courtesy of The Aerie
The Aerie Book a stay at this circa-1882 Italianate Victorian-style residence boasting elegance, along with a healthy dose of R&R. The bed-and-breakfast features eight unique guest rooms; a private bathroom (we see you, XL whirlpool bathtub!); and ops for an in-room massage, flower deliveries and a romance package. You’ll be living in luxury no doubt… aerienc.com
Resort at Fairfield Harbor In search of homey accommodations that come with an array of on-site activities? Reserve a private villa and take advantage of this Eastern NC resort’s fitness room; indoor/outdoor pool and Jacuzzi; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts; golf; pingpong; bike rentals and more. NTM water lovers can head out for an afternoon of fishing or enjoying the blue views. Home away from home: found. ncrmg.com
Benjamin Ellis House Make your way to this swoonworthy restored home “where historic charm and modern comfort meet.” Just a four-block walk from Tryon Palace, this charming, quaint B&B’s primo locale lets you easily choose between play and stay (kick back and relax with bath amenities, smart TVs and internet access) all best bookended with a morning cuppa and nightcap on the serene front porch.benjaminellishouse.com
Beauty is fleeting—as are all the so-called “magical” aesthetic fixes for myriad personal concerns over our appearance. Enter the latest rising fad: castor oil (Don’t @ us, holistic health nuts… we know it’s been around for a hot minute). Becoming quite the talker online, the essential oil has been raved about for its handful of health and beauty benefits—from helping with inflammation and digestion to aiding stress relief. And since you can never believe what you see on the internet, I decided to give the trend a try myself to discover if castor oil was worth the hype or just a bunch of hocus pocus. My guinea pig era, if you will. Here, the results of my castor oil journey.
Laxative? Uh, Yep! Castor oil has long been lauded as a natural way to go No. 2—and I can attest this is true. In the morning, after rubbing a bit of diluted oil on my stomach and waiting ~20 minutes… voila: consider me cleansed.
Hello, Hydration! Packed full of ricinoleic acid—aka a monounsaturated fatty acid—the oil helps moisturize your skin from face to bod. After a few days of applying castor oil to my face before bed, my skin was noticeably softer and smoother. A score for wintertime dry season!
BeckyAnna Beth With the Good Hair After a week of massaging a quarter-size bit of castor oil into my roots, my locks started looking less dry and appeared and felt softer. Sign me up for the next L’Oréal commercial!
Mellow Mood This might be a placebo effect, but from the first day I started applying this product in the spot right beneath my lower right rib, I noticed a shift in my mood that can only be described as a sense of Zen (which aligns with the oil’s rep of providing stress reduction). … But don’t just take my word for it. Give the ~essential~ oil a try yourself!
Get to know Kelly Lynch, who’s mixing up good libations behind the Watts & Ward bar.
Hailing from Connecticut, Kelly Lynch has made quite the name for herself as a top mixologist at Downtown Raleigh’s Watts & Ward—and via concoting her White Negroni creation at our inaugural The Cocktail Classic, presented by The Exchange Raleigh, last month (!). And don’t miss her cocktail making skills on CBS 17’s My Carolina segment!
Say “high” to a duo of mountain hotels for your next elevated excursion.
If a cold-weather High Country getaway is calling your name, book a rez at one—or both!—of these mountain accommodations helmed by Raleigh entrepreneurs. Peak experiences await!
Skyline Village Inn
Nestled right off the Blue Ridge Parkway—about 100 feet to be exact!—this stylish 17-room mountain chalet boasts stellar views and a sleek home-away-from-home experience. The historic boutique motel is currently under a gradual redesign process overseen by Local Icon Hospitality’s Jon Seelbinder, who acquired the property in January 2022.
“It’s quaint and off-the-beaten path,” says Seelbinder—“but we are gradually moving toward the end goal of a nice, fresh, modern and sleek rebrand that still embraces the old architecture.”
Longtime guests may notice minute changes to the hotel’s branding and web presence, with a lineup of larger improvements coming down the pipeline. Currently, The Skyline Restaurant & Bar is undergoing a makeover that will maintain the space’s classic 1940s charm while adding a contemporary elevated twist, with other upcoming elements like shipping container hot tubs (!) and revamped rooms also on the roster.
“It’s picturesque, there’s a ton to do and see, and we offer a more personal touch,” explains Seelbinder of the inn. Ideal for the chill, go-with-the-flow traveler, the property allows guests to R&R in a place where they can enjoy prime mountain ambiance sans the crowds. See ya in the skies! skylinevillageinn.com
Rhode’s Motor Lodge
From Loden Hospitality (the same folks behind The Longleaf Hotel) comes Rhode’s Motor Lodge—now open in Boone. The renovated midcentury motel showcases a camp-inspired design featuring 54 rooms; cozy patios; and hotel restaurant Canteen, dishing up modern-yet-casual fare nodding to Appalachian ingredients and cuisine.
Inspired by the history of the property and the outdoorsy vibe of Boone, the mountain oasis at once mixes together the luxe amenities and comforts of a 21st century midcentury-mod hotel while flaunting the warm, cozy vibes of an old-timey mountain lodge. Think a spectrum of wood decor in each room, myriad woven materials and rugs made from recycled plastics. And beyond all the excitement Boone has to offer, guests can stay entertained at the lodge with fire pits, movie nights and a lineup of games on deck.
“There is nothing like this—especially if you are a curious traveler,” says Christine McDonald, creative director for Loden Hospitality of the recently bowed lodge. “Rhode’s and Canteen are purposefully designed to appeal not only to out-of-town guests, but locals as well. This isn’t a typical hotel experience.” … Translation: Your ideal resort to camp out: found. rhodesmotorlodge.com
