Category: North Carolina

North Carolina, Southern Tidbits

The Southeast’s Most Magnificent Waterfalls

Sandra Kay Chambers
Looking Glass Falls, NC
Looking Glass Falls, NC

By James Richardson (Guest Blogger)

Waterfalls are always a great destination for travelers in general–hikers and photographers in particular.What makes a good waterfall? What makes a great waterfall?What is a best waterfall? For that matter, what makes for the Ten Best Waterfalls? First of all, what is best to one person may not be best to another.  I had to arrive at a definition for a best waterfall before I could compile my list. These are many good waterfalls in this part of the country and I wanted to give all an equal chance. Continue reading “The Southeast’s Most Magnificent Waterfalls” →

Food and Wine, North Carolina, Southern Tidbits

7 Fun Facts About North Carolina Beer

Sandra Kay Chambers
7 Fun Facts About NC Beer
NC Beer (Photo courtesy of VisitNC.com)

Check out North Carolina Beer!

1. North Carolina is home to nearly 100 breweries — more than any other state south of Pennsylvania and east of Texas, according to a Beer Association survey.

2. The “State of the Craft Beer Industry” report for 2013 shows North Carolina setting the pace for growth of new breweries with a 23 percent increase in 2011.

3. Three major craft breweries chose the Asheville area for East Coast expansions: Oskar Blues (Brevard), Sierra Nevada (Mills River) and New Belgium (Asheville, opening 2015).  Continue reading “7 Fun Facts About North Carolina Beer” →

Food and Wine, North Carolina

N.C. Beer Month Returns in April

Sandra Kay Chambers

Beer Anyone?

North Carolina, one of the nation’s top craft beer states, celebrates the craftsmanship of 100 breweries and destinations that embrace it with the return of NC Beer Month in April. N.C. Beer Month, co-sponsored by the Division and the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild, directs travelers to a rising range of beerscapes, from brewery-rich cities and welcoming towns to unexpected finds in lesser-known places. Major festivals, singular events, special-edition beers, lodging packages, beer dinners, and brew schools showcase the breadth and depth of the state’s appeal. Continue reading “N.C. Beer Month Returns in April” →

Mountain Adventures, North Carolina

Get Your Kicks on the “Tail of the Dragon”

Sandra Kay Chambers

Where the Blue Ridge and Smokies Meet

BRP Bikers

The twisting mountain roads of the Maggie Valley and Waynesville area in North Carolina are some of the most popular motorcycling destinations in the world. Whether you’re riding a motorcycle or driving a sports care, be ready to scrape some metal or squeal your tires on some wild curves on the “Tail of the Dragon,” also known as Deals Gap.

With a world-famous reputation, this 11-mile stretch with 318 curves has become a destination for hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists and sports car drivers looking to tame the beast. Located on the North Carolina and Tennessee border, this road has been featured in a number of movies including The Fugitive (1993) with Harrison Ford as well as several documentaries. Larry the Cable Guy also recently explored this road on the History Channel (Check out re-runs).

A great motor touring brochure featuring several tours on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Smoky Mountains is available at www.VisitNCsmokies.com.

Food and Wine, North Carolina

North Carolina Wine Guide Available

Sandra Kay Chambers

 N.C. Wine Guide 

Did you know that North Carolina has over 100 wineries and a new North Carolina Wine Guide has officially arrived and is available free of charge. The wine guide is funded and produced by the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, but it will now be distributed through the Division of Tourism and can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-VISITNC or 1-877-3NC-WINE.

You can also visit their website for downloadable ready-to-go wine trails. (Click here).