Tag: North Carolina

James Beard–recognized chefs have put Raleigh’s dining scene on the national map, and Michelin’s inaugural American South guide arrived last November, cementing Raleigh as a culinary hotbed. Add world-class museums, transformative outdoor developments, and that unbeatable North Carolina hospitality, and you’ve got a city worthy of a weekend escape.

One year on a family visit to Asheville, Lizzie Whitcher fell in love with Biltmore—so much so that she studied floriculture at Texas A&M with hopes of eventually working at the estate. Soon after, she made that dream a reality. In addition to managing decor for events, her team of 10 designers directs the installation of more than 100 trees, hundreds of thousands of lights, and thousands of feet of garland for Christmas at Biltmore.

The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa welcomed back the National Gingerbread Competition this year after Hurricane Helene forced a cancellation in 2024. The celebrated holiday tradition returned stronger than ever, with 235 entries representing 25 states across the country—the most in the event's history.

Since 1853, the North Carolina State Fair has drawn huge crowds to Raleigh by showcasing the best livestock, produce, and crafts from around the state. Throw in some thrill rides, indulgent fare (battered bologna fries, anyone?), and nightly fireworks, and you’ve got what is now one of the nation’s most popular state fairs. Here’s a glimpse of all the blue-ribbon fun that goes down.

Bordered by the Cape Fear River on one side and breezy beaches on the other, Wilmington is undoubtedly a refreshing destination. It’s known for its acclaimed surfing and scuba-diving, but you’ll quickly find that it teems with other diversions to discover, both in the water and on dry land.

In the decades since that camping trip to Lake James, I’ve spent nights in deserts and rainforests. I’ve swam with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef, watched wildebeest migrate through the Serengeti. I’ve seen the Northern Lights. I’ve ridden schooners and boats of all kinds. A myriad of influences led me to those places and experiences. But when I try to trace my love of outdoor travel back to its origins, my memory often lands on that lakeside beach.

The South’s love affair with Krispy Kreme dughnuts began in 1937, when founder Vernon Rudolph opened the first shop in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Using a secret yeast-raised dough recipe bought from a Louisiana chef, Rudolph first delivered his near-weightless confections to grocery stores around town.

Picture the quintessential Southern mountain town and the village of Cashiers may come to mind. This idyllic historic community, complete with a central Village Green, sits at the crossroads of NC Highway 107 and U.S. Route 64, zigzagging roads that part the surrounding Nantahala National Forest like a comb. Despite its rising profile, thanks to a bounty of pristine nature, superb shopping, and renowned lodging, Cashier’s pace remains blissfully unhurried.