Let’s be real: More often than not, a vacation isn’t actually a vacation. It’s a jam-packed itinerary of late nights out followed by early morning activities, leaving you returning home far more exhausted than when you left.
But change can be found quietly tucked away in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Enter Wunderland Resort, a high-end campground off a gravel road in Old Fort, ideal for indulging in a calmcation (read: a calming vacation where restoration actually happens). The secluded grounds are backdropped by rolling peaks and a complete lack of cell service—the upper corner of my phone read “SOS” my entire stay—making it refreshingly easy to prioritize genuine rest over a sightseeing checklist.
The resort serves up space for tents, RVs and campers, plus upscale tiny home-like cabins for anyone craving the perks of the outdoors sans the setup, bugs or weather drama. But whether your refuge has running water or not, a peek inside the musically inclined bathhouse is a must (pro tip: Each bathroom has a different theme—and song!).
I spent the night in the newly unveiled creator villa, which feels purpose-built for unplugging and creative flow. Inside, a midcentury-modernesque conversation pit houses a pullout keyboard and musician biographies lining the walls. Outside, a porch stocked with a table, chairs, fire pit and a hammock built right into the deck served as a primo spot for sunning and stargazing.
As I quickly learned, a stay at Wunderland is very much a build-your-own adventure. If disappearing is the move, bring a bottle of wine and a book to settle into your porch or one of the many tucked-away nooks on the grounds. For a more literal cleanse, pack a swimsuit to work up the nerve for a cold plunge (I did not, thanks to freezing temps) followed by a bask in the sauna.
While doing “nothing” is absolutely allowed, outdoor adventures are still on deck to get your nature or movement on as its own recharge. On- and off-site ops beckon from foraging tours for a walk on the wild side to fly-fishing, hiking and mountain biking in the surrounding Pisgah National Forest. And because you can’t really call it a trip to WNC without chasing a waterfall—Catawba Falls is an ideal short drive + easy hike combo, and the ephemeral Glassmine Falls can be spotted just off the Parkway.
When you crave a reentry to civilization, Old Fort delivers charming small-town energy with just a single grocery store (don’t sleep on the Piggly Wiggly) and a handful of shops and restaurants. And Black Mountain and Asheville lay in wait just down the road for some bigger city ventures once you feel refreshed and renewed for a robust hit of culture, food or people.
All to say: If your idea of an ideal getaway involves fewer plans and better sleep, it’s high time for a holiday of true relaxation. wunderlandresort.com
There’s no doubt Raleigh is a growing city, with new developments popping up seemingly on the daily. While many worry our “boring” city (incorporated 1792) is losing her identity, legacy lives on everywhere you look—from carefully preserved buildings dating back to the American Revolution to districts honoring historic namesakes. Think you know the Cap City’s character? Let’s trip back in time and find out. No Googling!
1. Red Hat Amphitheater was almost named for what adult beverage brand, before the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission denied the request to opt for a more PG namesake? a. Coors Light b. Bud Light c. Pabst Blue Ribbon d. Sierra Nevada
2. Which (allegedly haunted) Raleigh building was initially meant to be a tomb for the wife of former Gov. Montfort Stokes, but was repurposed after it was constructed at the wrong scale? a. Mordecai House b. NC Legislative Building c. The Capitol Building d. NC Museum of Art
3. Welcome to the gun show. After the OG Raleigh Iron Works went bankrupt, it was acquired by Peden Steel Company and moved to Atlantic Avenue. The business went on to build what product for the U.S. military during World War II? a. Shell casings b. Barges c. Aircraft parts d. Bunkers
4. In 1914, Clyde Alvin Dillon Sr. founded Dillon Supply Co. on West Martin Street. While Junior devoted his whole career working at the family biz, what was his side hustle?West Martin Street a. Announcing for NC State’s basketball and football teams b. Teaching at Broughton c. Preaching at Edenton Street United Methodist Church d. Bartending in the Village District
5. Alexa, queue “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John. Which Raleigh bar has been “a Raleigh tradition since 1951,” making it the oldest bar in the City of Oaks? a. Mitch’s Tavern b. The Cardinal c. The Raleigh Times d. Players Retreat
6. The almost-150-year-old Victorian-era house that serves as home to Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is named after which NC confederate officer and which former Raleigh mayor? a. Braxton Bragg and William H. Harrison b. D.H. Hill and Basil C. Manly c. John Wetmore Hinsdale and William H. Dodd d. Dorsey Pender and William White
7. Bottoms up! Before settling in at its current Glenwood Avenue location, cocktail bar Dram & Draught got its start in a stand-alone Hillsborough Street building that formerly housed what? a. A Dillon Supply Co. shop b. Piggly Wiggly c. The NC Legislative Building d. TAO Auto Shop
8. The DTR Holiday Inn—known for its unique cylinder shape—won the title of Raleigh’s tallest building when it was built in 1969. Which DTR tower stole the title in 1977? (Hint: It’s currently Raleigh’s sixth tallest tower.) a. One Hanover Square b. Wake County Public Safety Center c. One Progress Plaza d. 333 Fayetteville Street
9. Erected in 1769, the Joel Lane House is the oldest house in Wake County. Which governing body did owner and “Father of Raleigh” Joel Lane not participate in? a. Continental Congress b. General Assembly c. State Senate d. Fayetteville Constitutional Convention
With gorgeous historic homes, long-standing sup spots, spirited bars and breweries, and more, the historic Five Points district just outside DTR boasts hip old-school Raleigh vibes.
