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Summer Travel: NC Piedmont Region

Summer Travel: NC Piedmont Region

by | Jun 30, 2022 | July 2022/August 2022

By Melissa Howsam and Lauren Kruchten

Lake Norman

Float Your Boat

Lake life meets luxe life on Queens Landing’s Lady of the Lake luxury yacht dinner cruise, where impeccable views serve as the backdrop for a chef-prepped three-course meal and two fully stocked bars. 

Hello, Sailor

It’s all smooth sailing at bright and sunny waterfront resto and bar Hello, Sailor, open seven days a week for Southern-inspired and seafood-focused fare (think NC peel ’n eat shrimp, and crispy flounder and chips)—plus cocktails, blended bevs, beer and wine. Pro tip: Pop a squat on the deck for primo sunset views.

Asheboro

Asheboro’s main attraction, the North Carolina Zoo—aka the world’s largest zoological park!—is a must-visit destination for all NC’ers (make sure to say hello to the zoo’s newest resident, a 740-pound male grizzly bear named Ronan!). Also not to be passed up (esp. for adrenaline seekers) is a visit to Richland Creek Zip Line Canopy Tour, where you’ll experience the thrill of a lifetime as you soar through the scenic foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains. 

Pinehurst/Southern Pines

Head down to the Land of the Pines to tee up a good time via  great restaurants, hotels and golf, natch. By day, stroll through Broad Street with stops at Betsy’s Crepes and Hatchet Brewing Co.—or tee off at Southern Pines Golf Club. By night, tuck into bed at one of the three historic hotels at Pinehurst Resort. 

Pittsboro

You don’t have to travel far to live in the lap of luxury—aka the Relais & Châteaux property The Fearrington House Inn in Fearrington Village, NTM The Spa at Fearrington, The Fearrington House Restaurant (which recently welcomed Todd Chatterton as food & beverage director) and Bar—plus various other sip and sup spots, pristine gardens, and ongoing events. Peaceful weekend away, check. 

NC Zoo Welcomes New Male Polar Bear in Hopes of Repopulation

NC Zoo Welcomes New Male Polar Bear in Hopes of Repopulation

by | Feb 24, 2021 | Do, March 2021

What’s not polarizing? There’s a new male in town. And he’s (hopefully) ready to chill out with his new boo bear.

Around Valentine’s Day, the North Carolina Zoo welcomed large-and-in-charge (and incredibly cute!) Payton in the hopes of mating him with Anana, our state zoo’s resident female polar bear. But will she swipe right?

Transferred from the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, Payton is replacing his nonproducing predecessor Nikita (who struck out with Anana for five breeding seasons). His relocation comes on the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan as part of a polar bear repopulation effort. (Polar bears were the first species listed as threatened by climate change under the Endangered Species Act in 2008—the more you know.)

“Polar bear populations are declining, and zoos have a significant role in protecting the future of this vulnerable species,” says Jennifer Ireland, curator of mammals for the NC Zoo.

Since spring is the season of love for polar bears (their mating season runs from February through March), hopefully Payton will get lucky and help save the population—and, if nothing else, at least maybe now Anana won’t be so ice-solated.

As for your part, take the polar bear plunge, so to speak, and go give Payton a warm welcome… in the name of love—and cubs!