by Amelia Jerden | 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
Banner Elk
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…
by Raleigh Magazine | Sep 21, 2022 | Do, September 2022
9/22
Willard Wine Dinner: South Africa
Switch up your next alfresco evening with South African fare via The Willard’s four-course wine and dine experience featuring the culinary craft of executive chef James Cundiff (paired with six Southern African wines, natch!). thewillardraleigh.com
9/22–25
Aries Spears
Spear some time to see Chicago native and comedian/actor Aries Spears bring the laughs to Raleigh Improv. improv.com
9/22–25
Jerome Robbins’ The Concert
Dance your way to Carolina Ballet to view Robbins’ captivating study of the secret thoughts and fantasies of a concert audience (juicy!), along with three additional ballets. How on pointe! carolinaballet.com
9/23
iDKHOW and Joywave
You’ll want to “travel at the speed of light” to The Ritz to see these two perform. … We DKHOW you could miss it! ritzraleigh.com
9/23
Marbles Imagination Ball
Having a ball doesn’t have to be reserved for the kiddos! Mark your calendars for Marble’s 11th annual “Grown-Up Gala,” an event intended to raise funds so every child “has the chance to imagine, discover, learn and play.” With fun decor, games, live music and an auction, this fundraiser is sure to be beyond your imagination. Play on! marbleskidsmuseum.org
9/23
Nothin’ Special
No biggie, but Between2Clouds is hosting a mini-electronic music fest in downtown Cary feat. three stages of melodic music, a curated art gallery and a projection mapping installations—and it’s gonna be a vibe. between2clouds.com
9/23
Oktoberfest at Compass Rose
Hail to the ale! North Carolina’s largest taproom is celebrating Oktoberfest with the release of its Wunderfest on tap, live accordion music, and fresh pretzels and brats. It almost sounds too gut to be true! compassrosebrewery.com
9/23
Pluto Gang
You’ll be “better out here” if you see Pluto Gang at The Pour House—with special guest Late Notice to boot! thepourhousemusichall.com
9/23–24
Opening Weekend: Pictures at an Exhibition
Picture this: Music Director Designate Carlos Miguel Prieto leads the NC Symphony in Ravel’s impactful orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Get ready to have your mind blown. ncsymphony.org
9/23–25
Raleigh Balloon Festival
Pop on over to the popular fest for hot air balloons, food and retail vendors, kid-friendly activities, and nightly balloon glow and tethered rides that’ll have you floating on the edge of your seat—literally. balloonglowtour.com
9/23–10/29
Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train
All aboard… if you dare! Tweetsie Railroad is being transformed into a haunted attraction complete with a ghost train, decorations and other scary spectacles. Saddle up for spooks! tweetsie.com
9/24
Adventure Awaits Festival
Care for a quest? Explore a world of medieval magic—think dragons, castles and knights—and make sure to don your most debonair attire. Adventure sir-tainly awaits! raleighnc.gov
9/24
Bond Brothers 5K
Allow us to jog your memory. The Bond Brothers 5K is back with a 3.1-mile course, followed by a block party with brews—natch. bondbrothers5k.com
9/24
Evening of Pawsibilites
Celebrate Second Chance Pet Adoptions 35th birthday with a pawsome night of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions, a pet costume contest, and more. secondchancenc.org
9/24
Farm Aid
Get ready to rock out with your (country) boots out. Fan-fave Farm Aid (est. in 1985 to help keep family farmers on the land) is back for the first time since 2014—and bigger and better than ever, staging founders Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, NTM Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton and more. farmaid.org
9/24
Triangle Fermentation Festival
Whatcha know about fermentation? Head to Botanist & Barrel for a fun afternoon of demonstrations, presentations, hands-on workshops, food tastings and a vendors market. Batch, please! botanistandbarrel.com
9/24
Festa Italiana
There’s no reason to be upsetti when you have spaghetti, so get your fill of Italian culture via food vendors, music, art and the like at the fourth annual Festa Italiana in DTR. Mamma mia! festaitalianaraleigh.com
9/24
Lunge Forward Triangle Walk & Celebration
It’s time to take another step against lung cancer. For the 16th year, the Triangle LUNGe Forward Walk & Celebration will feature activities fit for the whole fam, as well as opps to take action and provide help and hope to those impacted by lung cancer. boothamphitheatre.com
9/24
Makers Market
If you haven’t checked out Fenton yet, Triangle Pop-Up’s Makers Market is the perfect excuse! Shop from local vendors lining Fenton Square while jamming to live music—and afterward, hit up one of the development’s new restaurants! fentonnc.com
9/24
NC State vs. UCONN
Wolf sniffs out husky. #WITH gopack.com
9/24
Yoga and Mimosas
Will bend for alcohol. Crab your crew and head to Hummingbird for an hourlong vinyasa flow class by Unita Yoga—followed by free mimosas (!). We’ll cheers to that! hummingbirdraleigh.com
9/24
Yoga on the Patio at Brookside Bodega
What’s up dog? Get your Zen in with a stretch sesh 90-minute yoga session led by Jessie of Yoga Vibes at Brookside Bodega. … When paired with a bottle of vino, the chill vibes are sure to keep going all day long. brooksidebodega.com
9/24–25
The Raleigh Market
This fan-fave market is closing out its last weekend before the NC State Fair with a bang—think 300 vendors, food trucks and a pop-up vintage clothing market (!). theraleighmarket.com
9/25
Break the Cycle
Spend the day behind bars (handlebars, that is), at The Women’s Center’s second annual Break the Cycle event to benefit homeless women—plus enjoy an afterparty with music, drinks and food trucks. Oh, wheel, yeah! wcwc.org
9/25
Centro’s Quinceañera Drag Queen Brunch
Hey, queens. Don your most dashing quinceañera fit for a drag queen show, drinks and brunch at Centro. Tickets benefit Poder NC, a nonprofit that “builds people power in the growing Latinx community in North Carolina.” centroraleigh.com
9/25
Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo
Roll out for good eats! The final DTR Food Truck Rodeo of the season will feature 40 food trucks lining Fayetteville Street—and um, don’t forget you can drink in the streets now too! Talk about a perfect Saturday. downtownraleighfoodtruckrodeo.com
9/25
Equal Parts
Sip, sup and support Planned Parenthood at William & Company’s cocktail fundraising event. We’re always down to cheers to a great cause! @willcobar
9/25
Fall Fest
Feeling gourd? Kick off the fall season at Seven Saturdays Taproom’s with live beats, beer, eats from Bomb A$$ Sandwich Co. and games. You really autumn check it out. rndbrewing.com
9/25
Fall Oyster Roast
No need to be clammy! Get roasted at Trophy Brewing’s first oyster roast of the season. Aw, shucks. trophybrewing.com
9/27
Alice in Chains + Breaking Benjamin
There’s “no excuse” not to catch genre-breaking grunge rockers Alice in Chains bend the boards with Breaking Benjamin and Bush at Walnut Creek. livenation.com
9/27
Architects
You’ll want to see Architects at The Ritz before they’re “gone with the wind.” ritzraleigh.com
9/27
Candle Making Workshop with Usu Company Candles
Get lit… and watch the sun go down atop The Willard rooftop as you sample, select and build a scent for a one-of-a-kind candle creation crafternoon—while sipping on a complimentary glass of wine or bubbly, natch. thewillardraleigh.com
9/27
Canes vs. Lightning
Find out what happens when lightning strikes in a hurricane for the preseason opener at PNC. nhl.com
by Raleigh Magazine | Jun 30, 2022 | July 2022/August 2022
By Melissa Howsam and Lauren Kruchten
Charlotte
And we’ll never be royals… but we can romp around the Queen City.
Uptown Girls (and Boys)
Uptown (not to be called downtown—they’ll know you’re a tourist) is the beating heart of CLT, and it’s chock-full of fun things to do—from the NASCAR Hall of Fame to open-air shopping to museums to acclaimed restaurants and bars. Soak it all up…
For the Fanatics
Sports fans can get their fill year-round in Charlotte, thanks to the Panthers, Charlotte FC, the Hornets and the Knights(P.S. Stick around Truist Field after home games for fireworks!). Game on.
Beer Me
For the ultimate day of barhopping, take the train from Raleigh—cheap, easy and, best of all, no DD required! Our recs? Sycamore Brewing, The Suffolk Punch and The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Cheers!
Asheville
Feast
Savor the Asheville flavor during the two remaining weekends of culinary event series Chow Chow (Aug. 4–7, Sept. 8–11) feat. multiple food-focused events—including a handmade tamale workshop
and a free Sunday super series. Chow down!
Jam Out
Live music fans are gonna wanna grab tix to a show at legendary music venue The Orange Peel—this summer hosting Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Spoon, Switchfoot and more. Ah, “the way we get by…”
Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival
Your ribs’ll be shaking from laughter after attending the Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival, aka the largest stand-up comedy event in the Southeast, with 40 comics performing at an array of Asheville venues.
Winston-Salem
Brunch is always a good idea. And the perfect day in Winston-Salem starts with brunch at Parisian restaurant The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, located in the The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel (Pro tip: Get the croque-monsieur)—where you should also absolutely lay your head after a day of adventuring. Post-noshing, stroll Winston-Salem’s Downtown Arts District and check out the breweries and ’cue joints on The NCBS Historic Barbecue Trail.
Boone
“Get your awe back” in the “high country”—from breweries and artastic attractions to the Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock (whitewater rafting, wineries, spas!) and, of course, Grandfather Mountain, where you’re gonna wanna hike the highlands. Plus you can’t say you’re an NC’er until you’ve seen NC from the famed Mile High Swinging Bridge (aka America’s highest suspension footbridge—and, yes, it literally swings). Poetry in motion, really.
Durham
Staycation all I ever wanted. … Skip the heavy baggage and gas prices for a summer siesta in the Bull City. Whether you like it dirty or keepin’ it neat, Bar Virgile’s award-winning bar and resto’ll help you get in the spirit and kick it into #vacationmode with a craft cocktail via one of the largest liquor selections in the Triangle. Then keep it jamon at multi-Beard-nominated chef Matt Kelly’s Mateo for tapas that’ll straight transport you to Spain before a nightcap on the rooftop of bougee midcentury-modern boutique hotel The Durham (pro tip: Book the Night Out Package so your nightcap is mere steps from your swank sleep sitch).
Wilmington
Garden Variety
Stop and smell the flowers at the year-round Airlie Gardens, also home to the Airlie Luncheon Garden Party—Wilmington’s premier event during the annual spring NC Azalea Festival.
Flock Here
’Tis the season for seafood, and there’s no better spot to get your fill than Dean Neff and Lydia Clopton’s recently opened Seabird restaurant, which puts a spotlight on local seafood, natch, in addition to creative and seasonal breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes.
Beach Music
Get down down east at Wilmington’s newest waterfront (!) live music venue, Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park. This summer’s lineup includes Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Josh Groban, GRiZ, Darius Rucker and more.
by Raleigh Magazine | Jun 30, 2022 | July 2022/August 2022
By Melissa Howsam and Lauren Kruchten
Highlands
Go big or go, well, small by staying in either the stunningly gorge Old Edwards Inn and Spa (a spa day is a must) or booking a night at the tranquil Carriage House at Wyanoak, a cozy love nest that’s perf for a romantic getaway.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Peak experiences await via NC’s picturesque parkway joyride. Pack your hiking boots and take the scenic route this summer (and again this fall for ’Gram-worthy foliage), winding through the NC (and VA) mountains for 469 miles of “America’s Favorite Drive.”
Mount Mitchell
Keep calm and get high by hiking up to the dramatic summit of the highest point in NC (6,684 feet!). Located in the Black Mountain range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, Mount Mitchell boasts unmatched views—plus a nine-site family campground. Early bird gets the worm—er, campsite!
Bryson City
Adrenaline junkies, this one’s for you. Feel the rush in Bryson City this summer, where, beyond the lure of this laid-back small mountain city are opps aplenty to channel your inner Tarzan (!)—from swinging through the treetops via zip lines at Nantahala Outdoor Center (dubbed one of the “Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure) to climbing, tubing, hiking, hitting the Nantahala River rapids and so much more. Ahem, they don’t call it the “Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains” for nothing.
Sliding Rock
“Why don’t you slide” down this favored natural mountain waterfall in Pisgah National Forest—then grab a soft serve at Dolly’s Dairy Bar & Gift Shop—to cool off on a hot summer day.
Mill Spring
“Thumbin’ my way into North Caroline…” After a wildly successful inaugural showdown last summer, country boys and girls are gettin’ down for Night in the Country Carolinas—the second-annual music fest at Tryon International Equestrian Center, Aug. 25–27 (aka three nights showcasing 12 boot-stompin’ acts of country heavy-hitters like Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi, Dierks Bentley and more).
Beech Mountain
Beech, please! NC’ers know and love this pleasant lil mountain town as a winter ski destination, but the charmer is a quintessential summer reprieve—think temps that usually don’t break 70 degrees—famed for its Swiss Alps-esque aerial trams. Serving up unparalleled vistas in summer, fall and winter, the round-trip scenic chair lift promises to transport you to new heights (literally—peaking at 5,506 feet—aka the highest town in the Eastern U.S.).
Lake Lure
“So I carried a watermelon?” Fete the cult-classic film and have the time of your life at this 13th annual edition of the uberpopular Dirty Dancing Festival on Sept. 10, feat. film-inspired dance (natch) and tunes, local and regional arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, “on scene” selfie spots, the infamous Lake Lift Competition, and more. Oh, and don’t miss sips in the Club House garden (think beer, wine and cider). Nobody puts Baby in a corner…
