#

Back

Mountain Mama

Mountain Mama

by | Mar 21, 2023 | Do, March 2023

Don’t overlook these high country hot spots scattered across Western NC.

The mountains are calling. … And while Asheville gets a whole lotta love as a Western NC tourist destination with its delectable and eclectic restaurants/breweries, thriving art and craft scene, and unique art deco architecture, there’s a whole lot more to that part of the state. Here’s our guide to 10 additional towns worth checking out if you’re planning a mountain getaway from Raleigh. Mount us in! 

Boone

Hardly a well-kept secret, Boone is a popular high country destination in its own right. Home to Appalachian State University, the college town is located smack-dab in the middle of the mountains. Translation: Endless outdoor adventure ops! To boot, downtown is nestled right next to the university and boasts several restaurants, bars and shops.

Food and Drink

Stick Boy Bread Company: Breakfast/sweet treats

Booneshine Brewing Co.: Beer garden/restaurant offering a mix of bar food and lighter fare

Appalachian Mountain Brewing: Ciders/beers

Outdoor Activities

Appalachian Ski Mountain: ~5 miles away

Blowing Rock Trails: Doesn’t require seasoned hiking chops to experience

Boone Fork Trail: Moderately challenging lengthier trail loop located in Julian Price Memorial Park

Things to Do

Mast General Store: Offers a variety of Mountaineer merch

Anna Banana’s Fine Consignment: You never know what you might find…

Tweetsie Railroad: Offers trains, rides, games, live entertainment and more (reopens in April)

Weaverville

Located just ~9 miles north of  Asheville in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Weaverville touts a charming downtown, easy-access parks and great proximity to hikes. It’s small-town mountain living at its finest!

Food and Drink

Well-Bred Bakery and Cafe: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches and salads 

Stoney Knob Cafe: An eclectic mix of food from “near and far”—everything from Greek salad to a Jamaican wrap to South Korean tacos

Blue Mountain Pizza: Classic American pizza joint with live music

Zebulon Artisan Ales: Local brews galore

Outdoor Activities  

Lake Louise: Hit the trail for biking/hiking or cast a line

Main Street Nature Park: The place to be during the summer thanks to Weaverville’s Second Saturday Summer Music Series

Black Mountain

You’ve peaked (!). This gorgeous mountain town located just east of Asheville is filled with arts and crafts, restaurants, breweries, and other novelties. NTM those views of the Blue Ridge Mountains (*swoon*). 

Food and Drink 

My Father’s Pizza & Pasta or Fresh Wood Fired Pizza: Fresh pies in the sky 

Louise’s Kitchen: Southern breakfast, lunch or brunch—complete with a wraparound porch 

The Bush Farmhouse: South African-inspired restaurant in an open-air setting

Outdoor Activities 

Chimney Rock State Park: ~30-minutes away 

Lake Lure: Also known as the set of Dirty Dancing (!)

Lake Tomahawk: Boasting blue as the eye can see—plus plenty of ops to play, swim, gather, relax, etc. 

Lookout Trail: A slightly tough out-and-back trail

Things to Do 

Lake Eden Arts Festival: Music, art, creativity and culture collide at this biannual fest on the Lake Eden grounds. 

Marshall

A delightful mountain town with an old-timey vibe, this city touts historic buildings and railroad tracks lining the banks of the French Broad River. Take a trip through history—and make some new memories while you’re at it.  

Food and Drink 

Zadie’s Market: Located in the Old Marshall Jail

Zuma’s Coffee & Provisions: Classic cafe fare

Star Diner: A retro-style restaurant in an old gas station with high-end offerings

Outdoor Activities 

French Broad Adventures: Offers expeditions including canyoneering, rafting and ziplining. 

Nantahala Outdoor Center’s French Broad river outpost: Offers white water rafting excursions.

Hot Springs

Nestled near the Tennessee border, this town is aptly named for its naturally occurring hot springs—the only hot springs in the state (!). Post-hike hot springs soak, anyone?

Food and Drink 

Big Pillow Brewing: Perf perch for post-trail beer and food

The Grey Eagle Taqueria: Tacos and ’tails—name a better duo, we’ll wait.

Outdoor Activities 

Lover’s Leap Trail. Section of the Appalachian Trail that leads to an outcropping with an incredible view of the French Broad river.

Laurel River Trail: An easy trail with water access

Max Patch Loop: Low effort, high reward exploration

Things to Do

Hot Springs Resort & Spa: Treat yo’self to the healing powers of natural mineral water.

Brevard

Galavant to this prime location for hikers and outdoorsy folk—particularly if you love waterfalls (See: it’s renowned title as the “Land of Waterfalls” because of its easy access to 250 waterfalls). … And we’re already fallin’ for this one! 

Food and Drink 

Brevard Brewing Company: “Crafted in the land of the waterfalls” with a special focus on German-inspired lagersOskar Blues Brewery: Cure any blues with a beer and live music

Wild Morel: Rooted in a farm-to-table philosophy 

The Square Root: Voted the best restaurant in Brevard for 13 consecutive years

Outdoor Activities 

Hooker Falls: Awe-inspiring falls in the DuPont State Recreational Forest

Triple Falls: Three falls is better than one!

Sliding Rock: Slide on down this popular rock formation… If you dare take the plunge!

Things To Do 

Crystal Mountain Gem Mine: Kitschy shop where kids can sift for gems

White Squirrel Shoppe: For bangin’ Brevard merch featuring the town’s mascot, the white squirrel

White Squirrel Weekend: An annual festival with food from local vendors, a beer garden and artisan vendors

Mars Hill

This small mountain city is more than just a college town—find fun restos, theatre shows and hiking trails to sate your spirit for sups, sips and adventure.

Food and Drink 

Camden’s Coffee House: Tasty drinks and small bites in a laid-back, bookish atmosphere

Mars Theatre Brewing Company: Travel back to a 1940s-esque theater-turned-brewery

Wagon Wheel: The best lunch buffet around

Outdoor Activities

Bailey Mountain Loop: For pleasant/scenic strolling

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort: Shred the slopes and try your hand at snow tubing

Things to Do 

Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre: Professional theater company with a myriad of fun shows on the docket

Waynesville

A quaint and charming prototypical western NC mountain town, Waynesville is a mere 30-minute drive away from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and offers a plethora of things to do for the adventurous and laid-back traveler alike.

Food and Drink 

Frog Level Brewing: Hop to this microbrewery for satisfying brews (natch) and pub fare

Boojum Brewing Company: The mountaineer’s choice for post-adventure fuel

Sauced: If you’re all about the sauce, take a dip via wings, hummus, mozz sticks and more.

Outdoor Activities 

Lake Junaluska: Recharge your batteries via stroll around this serene lake. 

Things to Do 

NC International Folk Festival: Showcases cultural music and dance traditions from around the world. 

Burnsville

A peak experience, Burnsville (aka the “Home of Mt. Mitchell”) is a great spot to stay if you want to visit the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Spend some time in town exploring the town’s shops before heading out and about for adventure.

Food and Drink 

Homeplace Beer Co.: There’s no place like home(place), esp. when there’s beer involved.

Outdoor Activities

Mount Mitchell State Park: The genesis of NC’s state parks system—topping out at 6,684 feet 

NC Outdoor Adventures: Get outside, whether via rafting, waterfall rappelling, climbing, hiking, etc. 

Things to Do 

Bare Dark Sky Observatory: We’re seeing stars—literally

Though small (fun fact: The town only has one stoplight!), Banner Elk boasts a rich culture of adventure—what with its many outdoors attractions, great restaurants and vineyards, arts and theater entertainment, and more. 

Food and Drink: 

Banner Elk Cafe: Classic American fare, as well as coffee, smoothies and desserts.

Banner Elk Winery: Come for the wine and stay for the luxurious accommodations (no DD, no problem!). 

Grandfather Vineyard: The high country’s first wine-producing vineyard

Outdoor Activities: 

Beech Mountain Ski Resort or Sugar Mountain Ski Resort: Come ski season, hit the slopes and stick around for après ski 

Grandfather Mountain State Park: Known for its challenging terrain. … Beginners beware!

Roan Mountain State Park: Outdoor lovers are going to soak up the 2,000+ acres of rich hardwood forest along rugged ridges

Things to Do: Original Mast General Store in Sugar Grove: Where it all began…

Triangle Trivia

Triangle Trivia

by | Feb 20, 2023 | Do, February 2023

Put those random facts taking up space in your brain to use via these local weekly trivia nights.

Weekly bar trivia is more than just a chance to flex your obscure knowledge—it’s a fun, spirited way to spend time with your crew (and, ahem, impress them with what you know). There are a host of fantastic bars and breweries in the Triangle offering weekly trivia nights, with food and beverage specials and prizes usually involved to boot. Let’s see what you got!

Raleigh

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Tuesdays, 7pm and 9:30pm

Think while you drink! Best known for its immense beer selection, this RM Best Craft Beer Bar also offers weekly trivia on Tuesdays at 7pm and adult trivia at 9:30pm, with over $220 worth of prizes awarded every week (!). P.S. Trivia nights also make for a great time to rack up those beers—drink 200 of ’em and you’ll get rewarded with a plate on the wall or ceiling (aka “Ring of Honor”).

Woody’s At City Market

Tuesdays, 7pm

A City Market mainstay, this RM Best Game Day Bar has got game of its own via its weekly Tuesday trivia night at 7pm. Quizzing and brainteasers aren’t the only things on the menu though—with trivia night comes specials on 12- and 16-ounce bottles and cans, Jager bombs and Sloppy Joe subs. You’ve gotta fuel your brain somehow!

Raleigh Brewing

Thursdays, 7pm

Get hammered—trivia, that is—on Thursday nights at this OG Raleigh brewery. Beers cure what ales you (read: drowns your sorrows if you end up losing) while rotating food trucks on-site provide sustenance for when the drunchies hit. Pro tip: A Hell Yes Ma’am is the ideal trivia confidence booster!

Raleigh Beer Garden

Wednesdays, 7pm

Head to RBG’s airstream bar every Wednesday night for a fun-filled round of trivia, a great way to exercise your brain over a beer. And with 350+ brews from which to choose, you’ll have no trouble finding one that ups your mental abilities (or at least your ego). For those looking to flex their musical memory, this RM Best Craft Beer Bar also runs a weekly music bingo on Tuesdays at 7pm. 

Brookside Bodega

Wednesdays, 7pm

Come for the good hangs (plus tasty bites and sips), and stay for trivia night every Wednesday at this bright and colorful convenience store-meets-restaurant-meets-wine shop. (That bottle of vino will really come in handy when cheersing to your win!)

J. Lights

Tuesdays, 7pm

Bring your smartest and thirstiest friends to J. Lights at Smoky Hollow for a few rounds of free brain teasers—and some liquid courage, natch (you’ll need it to score a prize, awarded to the top teams). May the most knowledgeable team win!

My Way Tavern

Tuesdays, 8pm

Come my way for trivia every Tuesday night at this RM Best Game Day Bar (or try your hand at music bingo Wednesdays at 8pm)—NTM delish pub grub like wings, nachos, mac ’n’ cheese (go with the classic or switch it up with the chili mac or seafood mac), burgers, and so much more. To boot, every Tuesday all domestic bottles are only $2.50. … Cheers to that!

Ruckus Pizza

Wednesdays, 7:30pm

Don’t cause a ruckus… but do bring your A-game to Ruckus Mission Valley’s award-winning trivia, which was voted Best Trivia in the WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards three years in a row (!). Prizes are available—but if you don’t win, the pizza will always come through for you. Ruckus also features trivia at its Tryon Village location in Cary (Wednesdays, 7:30pm), Park West location in Morrisville (Mondays) and Costco Plaza location in Apex (Wednesdays, 8pm).

Chow

Wednesdays, 8pm

Chow is the perfect spot to well… chow down on some tasty bites and “show off just how much worthless information you really know.” Between questions, enjoy pizza, wings, nachos, sandwiches, burgers, salads and more—NTM beer, wine and cocktails.

Cary

Bond Brothers Beer Company

Wednesdays, 7pm

Grab a pint of Bond Brothers beer (the Sorcery sour is a great pick for those who enjoy a tart beverage!) at this RM Best Burbs Bar and a meal from one of the daily food trucks, and get ready to answer Q’s on topics ranging from geography to current events to the favorite topic of host Tyler “Macgyver,” science!

Bull City Ciderworks

Thursdays, 7pm

Cider more your thing? BCC’s Thursday trivia nights are for you. Faves include the Cherry Tart, Bludacris and Cran-Pappy, but you can also opt for a flight to test out a few different flavors. Pro tip: BYO food.

Durham

Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Mondays, 6:30pm

Don your smarty pants and put your noggin’ to use during this Bull City brewery’s weekly trivia night. Hosted by Geeks Who Drink, this quiz night lets you answer virtually via your phone—no pants required. The best part? The team with the least points event gets a prize (!).

Hi-Wire Brewing

Wednesdays, 7pm

Time to get off your hi horse and show what you know at the Durham locale of this Asheville-based beer staple. Whether you’re a science nerd, music lover, new enthusiast or anything in between, surely you’ll have the answer to at least a couple of Q’s. 

Durty Bull Brewing Company

Sundays, 2pm

Sunday funday 🤝 trivia night. Head over to Durty Bull for some award-winning Hammered Trivia with Thor. And no playing durty! … Psst, mimosas, beer and beer slushies are where the “hammered” part comes in. 

Chapel Hill

Linda’s Bar & Grill

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8pm

The hottest trivia nights on Franklin Street take place in the downbar of this Chapel Hill hot spot—not once, but twice a week. First-place winners receive a $25 Linda’s gift card, which you can ultimately put to use on food and drinks from Linda’s extensive menu (we suggest the “Drunchies” menu’s combo basket, loaded sweet potato tots or sprouts). Pro tip: Check Linda’s social media before trivia starts for some helpful clues!

Goodfellows Bar

Tuesdays, 9pm
Gather your good—er, smart—fellows to take home the W at this Chapel Hill mainstay otherwise popular for watching the Tar Heels play. (Really smart ones will know to check the bar’s Instagram, where they post a weekly giveaway answer). Be sure to order the signature pickleback shots while you’re there, and if you want to keep the party going after trivia, stick around for karaoke from 11:30pm to 2am.