Tag: North Carolina

Lexington and Concord, Boston and Philadelphia, the Delaware River and Valley Forge. When we reflect on the birth of the nation, these are the places that naturally come to mind. But as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America’s beginning, we want to give the South its due. Travelers will find America’s Revolutionary history preserved in four cities that played crucial roles in the early development of our nation: Williamsburg, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; Salem, North Carolina; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

While there’s plenty to recommend a visit to the heart of North Carolina any time of the year, springtime in this part of the world is something special. A road trip over the rolling hills of the state’s Piedmont region promises farm-fresh fare, an explosion of native wildflowers, and a bumper crop of newborn animals.

Committed to showcasing fresh, local ingredients, pastry chef Sam Allen uses seasonal produce from nearby growers like Barbee Farms to create desserts such as the strawberry rhubarb torte. Temperature and timing are big factors in its creation.

I was born and raised around the foothills and mountains of North Carolina. My dad is a Methodist minister, and we moved a lot because he was constantly sent to a new church. But every summer we would go to Maggie Valley. Now my parents have a little house nearby, so I still have strong ties to the town. It’s a beautiful hidden gem in the Smoky Mountains right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it’s populated with quaint mom-and-pop stores.

The first time I pass by the desk, I miss it. The four of us are already in the next room when I spot the sign featuring her name: Virginia Woolf. I retrace my steps, followed by my husband, our daughter, and her fiance. Sure enough, there it is: Virginia Woolf’s writing desk, on display in Duke University’s Rubenstein Library.

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.