Visit North Carolina

18/11/2024

Santa’s backyard for tree production is right here in North Carolina. Pack the bags, head to one of our choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms and hunt down the perfect evergreen.

🎄 Frosty's Choose & Cut in Ashe County Chamber of Commerce is family-owned and pet friendly. Take a hayride or trolley ride to search for your perfect tree!

🎄 Head to Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm in Town of Waynesville, North Carolina. Opening Day is November 21, and you can catch Santa starting November 23!

🎄 One of the largest choose-and-cut tree farms in the state is Elk River Evergreens! With more than 30,000 Fraser fir trees available, you'll be sure to walk away with the tree of your dreams in Avery County Chamber of Commerce.

There are plenty more magical farms just waiting to be explored: https://www.visitnc.com/story/9xnv/choose-cut-and-stay-in-the-christmas-tree-capital

15/11/2024

Here in North Carolina, we’re fortunate to be home to the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi and the eighth largest in the U.S.

Visit Cherokee, offers incredible ways to connect with Indigenous heritage. Start at The Museum of the Cherokee People, where the history, resilience and spirit of the Cherokee people come to life through moving exhibits and interactive storytelling.

At Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual experience the beauty and skill of Cherokee artisans. Every basket, piece of pottery and beaded creation holds a story that has been passed down for generations.

Watch Cherokee artists demonstrate their crafts in Oconaluftee Indian Village and learn how their ancestors built lives in harmony with the land. If you’re lucky enough to catch "Unto These Hills," you will watch an unforgettable drama under the stars that share powerful moments in Cherokee history.

We encourage you to immerse yourself in exploring more ways to celebrate Native American history right here in NC: https://www.visitnc.com/story/s59Z/places-to-explore-native-american-history-in-north-carolina

📷📍: Oconaluftee Indian Village

14/11/2024

Looking for the best holiday light displays in North Carolina? We've got the top spots to brighten up your holiday season! From charming small-town luminaries to dazzling drive-thru lights, here’s where you can soak up the festive spirit:

✨ Step into a real-life holiday postcard with Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries. Stroll through the quaint town lined with thousands of candles and twinkling lights in North Carolina Mountain Towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva.

✨ Make a new holiday tradition at Tanglewood Festival of Lights. Drive through miles of magical light displays and experience the joy of the season in Visit Winston-Salem.

✨ Don’t miss the chance to watch beautifully decorated boats light up the water at the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla in Visit Wrightsville Beach, NC. A perfect way to kick off the holiday season with festive cheer and sparkling views.

Discover even more ways to light up your holiday plans: https://www.visitnc.com/story/bwoD/holiday-light-shows-glow-with-seasonal-cheer

12/11/2024

Hear that? The trickle of the creek, the whisper of the mountain air and the crackle of the fireplace inside one of your StayNantahala Cabin & Yurt Rentals in the heart of Nantahala National Forest. 🍁

Each oasis is guaranteed a scenic view – either of Nantahala Lake or the Great Smoky Mountains. Plus, if glamping is on your go-to list of NC experiences, why not stay in a luxury yurt?

Take the crew to Topton with Nantahala Visitors Guide: https://www.staynantahala.com/

11/11/2024

Today, we pause to honor the courage, dedication and sacrifices of our veterans here in North Carolina and beyond. From the mountains to the coast, we are grateful for the men and women who have served our country with strength and resilience.

Let’s take a moment to thank those who’ve protected our freedoms and remember the impact of their service. North Carolina’s military roots run deep, and today we proudly celebrate every veteran who has answered the call. To our veterans—thank you. Your service will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

08/11/2024

From outdoor rinks surrounded by twinkling lights to cozy indoor arenas, there are plenty of spots to glide into the season. Here's where to find the best ice skating around the state:

🧊 Located in the heart of Charlotte's got a lot, enjoy outdoor skating in the Uptown city lights at NASCAR Hall of Fame! The perfect blend of holiday cheer and city vibes.

🧊 Head over to Visit Greenville, NC, for an indoor skating experience at Carolina Ice Zone! It’s a great place for all skill levels, with a fun and family-friendly atmosphere.

🧊 In the scenic mountains near Blowing Rock, North Carolina, skate under the beautiful winter sky at App Ski Mtn.! Pair your ice time with skiing for the ultimate mountain adventure.

Tag who you’re skating with this season. ⛸️

07/11/2024

Did you know the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation is the only U..S. Army museum not on a base?🎖️

Explore the artifact exhibits, life-size dioramas and audio and visual displays depicting the history of the parachute and glider borne troops from 1940 to present during your next visit to Distinctly Fayetteville NC.

06/11/2024

Who doesn’t love cozy weather? We sure do, so we’ve rounded up restaurants that feel as warm as your favorite sweater.

🍴 Warm up at The Square Root, Explore Brevard’s reigning restaurant champion! After your winter hike chasing frozen waterfalls, reward yourself with seasonal treats like gingerbread-encrusted pork loin. Waterfalls and winning flavors — what’s not to love?

🍴 Cafe Pamlico The Inn on Pamlico Sound turns into a cozy winter retreat during the off-season in Visit The Outer Banks. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy delicious seasonal coastal cuisine while watching string lights dance off the Pamlico Sound.

🍴 Praised as a "Top 100 Brunch Restaurant" by Forbes and Food & Wine, thanks to standout dishes like the gingerbread crust cheesecake, Print Works Bistro in Visit Greensboro is the brunch spot for the crew.

📍: Print Works Bistro

31/10/2024

Spooky SZN might be ending, but our ghosts are here year-round. 👻 Spend this Halloween making paranormal plans and check out these spooky spots to stay right here. 👇

👻 Visit Chapel Hill & Orange County, NC and stay in The Carolina Inn. This historic 100-year-old haunt is home to the ghost of Dr. William Jacocks, a former guest who loves to play harmless pranks on patrons. Ask for Room 256 and keep your eyes peeled for moving furniture, unlocking doors and flickering lights.

👻 The Harvey Visit New Bern, North Carolina While the property has been recently renovated, it is still haunted by the same ghosts. Reports of unexplained footsteps echoing the halls and moving silverware have frightened guests for decades.

Find more spooky haunts to rest your head here: https://www.visitnc.com/story/U6Yy/haunted-hotels-and-spooky-stays?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fif_24&utm_content=spookystays

28/10/2024

Need another reason to add Cumberland County to your list of weekend getaways? We’ll give you four that are distinguished and Distinctly Fayetteville NC:

🎣 Wander the docks or wait for a nibble while fishing at Hope Mills Lake in the Town of Hope Mills, NC - Government.

🍕 Find elevated Southern cuisine, locally sourced from Visit NC Farms and breweries, at Circa 1800. Try the “It’s Fall, Y’all” pizza topped with fig preserves and hot honey – a dish after our own hearts.

🍳 Settle in at The MacPherson House Bed & Breakfast and relax in their furnished study or back patio. Wake up to the smell of the harvest ingredients included in their signature breakfast or freshly baked treats at the coffee bar on every floor of the historic building.

🌹 See what’s in bloom across Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s 77 acres. Walk the 16 specialty gardens and stop to enjoy the crisp, fall air.

Explore more: https://www.distinctlyfayettevillenc.com/.

27/10/2024

Are you afraid of the dark? Dig into some NC-based spooky stories of haunted spots and ghost encounters. Listen to the First in Fright podcast. 🎃

All episodes available now:

First in Fright brings you all things paranormal in NC with insider tips for ghost hunting, spooky stories and paranormal happenings across the state, including a brand new podcast.

25/10/2024

We’re back again with another haunted trail— this time on the coast. Grab a flashlight (if you’re scared) and get ready to add these spooky spots to your itineraries.👇

👻 Bodie Island Lighthouse in Visit The Outer Banks has reported ghostly figures, strange lights and the feeling of being watched as visitors climb the lighthouse steps. 👀

👻 The Country Squire Restaurant, Inn and Winery in Visit Duplin County is famous for ghostly encounters by a woman in white. Guests and staff alike have heard her walking across the room, banging on the walls and turning doorknobs. Be sure to check the guest book for firsthand accounts of these eerie instances.

👻 Visit New Bern, North Carolina and head to The Harvey for a cozy atmosphere and paranormal ties. Guests have been seeing a spectral woman in Victorian attire walking the property and moving furniture since the 1800s.

Find more creepy coast stops on the haunted trail here: https://www.visitnc.com/story/vF6n/haunted-trail-creepy-coast?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fif_24&utm_content=creepycoast

📸: by_the_bay_photos on IG

📍: Bodie Island Lighthouse, Visit The Outer Banks

24/10/2024

Told y’all we were gonna make October spooky, and we’re here to deliver. Let’s kick things off with 3 chilling spots in the mountains and the ghostly encounters you may find there right now. 👇

👻 Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is one of the most haunted spots in the U.S.— just make sure to book Room 318. Frequented by the spirit of Laura Green, guests report cold spots, flickering lights and sightings of her ghost.

👻 Balsam Mountain Inn in North Carolina Mountain Towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva is over 100 years old and famous for its hauntings. Guests staying in rooms 205 and 207 have reported footsteps, banging on the walls and doorknobs turning by themselves. Don’t believe us? Find the spine-tingling tales in the guest book.

👻 Head to Judaculla Rock in North Carolina Mountain Towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva— Cherokee legend says the ancient petroglyph site’s mysterious carvings were made by a giant named Judaculla. Visitors report feeling an eerie presence near the rock.

Find more mountain mysteries on the haunted trail here: https://www.visitnc.com/story/pqZH/haunted-trail-mountain-mysteries?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fif_24&utm_content=mountainmysteries

23/10/2024

🎬 Monster Summer was filmed right here in our beautiful North Carolina's Brunswick Islands! Our coastal gem isn’t just pretty—it’s the perfect backdrop for this thrilling adventure. 🌊

Get ready to see some familiar spots on the big screen! Monster Summer is in theaters now, so grab your popcorn and check out the trailer to see all the excitement coming your way.

Watch the trailer here:

Check out the Official Trailer for Monster Summer starring Mason Thames and Mel Gibson! ► But Tickets on Fandango: https://www.fandango.com/monster-summer-20...

19/10/2024

Do you want to support Western North Carolina communities and catch fall color in the mountains? Start planning your next visit and support small business in these areas that have already reopened now. Learn more: https://www.visitnc.com/nc-southern-mountains 🍁

📍 Visit Cherokee County

📍 Clay County NC Chamber of Commerce

📍 Graham County, North Carolina

📍 Explore Macon County, North Carolina

📍 Visit Highlands NC

📍 Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina

📍 North Carolina Mountain Towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva

📍 Visit Haywood

📍 Explore Brevard

📍 Visit Hendersonville, NC

📍 First Peak Visitor Center - North Carolina, Polk County Local Government

📍 Discover Burke County

Just be sure to check drivenc.gov for road updates before you leave!

18/10/2024

A thriving culinary hub is just steps away in Downtown Greenville, with nearly 40 locally owned spots to dig into. 🌮🍸

Find fresh, Latin-inspired flavors a Amante Tacos & Spirits or craft cocktails at speakeasy-style restaurant FORD + SHEP.

Here’s what we’re ordering across Visit Greenville, NC: https://www.visitnc.com/story/gpd5/guide-to-downtown-greenville-nc-culinary-and-craft-beverage-scene

17/10/2024

🎡 Alrighty y'all, you know what time of year it is—The 2024 N.C. State Fair is back in visitRaleigh from October 17-27, and they are not messing around with the new food lineup! Let’s get those taste buds tingling with a sneak peek:

🍴 Granny Cone— A fresh-baked chimney cake filled with buttery corn cake, topped with maple bacon ice cream, crunchies and a dollop of whipped cream from Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes North Carolina.

🍴 Tanghulu— A traditional Chinese snack with a crunchy sweet shell and a tart fruity inside, featuring fresh fruits like strawberries, grapes and mandarins from The Candi Queen.

🍴 Sweet Cheese Pie— Think cheese-stuffed pancakes, fried, dipped in syrup and topped with pistachios and chocolate syrup from Mediterranean Grill.

🍴 Pumpkin Spice Iced Tea— Tiki Tea's perfect blend of fall spices and pumpkin, served cold and refreshing.

With 72 new dishes from 30 different vendors, this year’s fair is bringing flavors from around the globe while putting fresh spins on the classics we know and love.

🎟 Pro tip: Maximize your experience with the Food & Ride Finder to plan your foodie journey through the fairgrounds. https://www.ncmhtd.com/foodandridefinder/

16/10/2024

Parts of Western North Carolina have reopened and the local businesses need your support! Take a peek at these upcoming events happening in the mountains and start planning the perfect fall weekend. 👀

🎃 See pumpkins fly at the Punkin Chunkin Festival in Clay County NC Chamber of Commerce this weekend, 10/19-10/20. Come hungry for the pie-eating contest and chili cook-off.

🎃 Celebrate autumn at Discover Franklin NC largest street festival, Pumpkinfest on Saturday, 10/19. You won’t want to miss the “World Famous Pumpkin Roll” contest.

🎃 Count Dracula doesn’t live in Transylvania County full time, but he always visits for Halloweenfest. Head to Explore Brevard on 10/26 and experience this “fang-tastic” event.

Before you head out, be sure to check drivenc.gov to ensure you have the safest route.

📍Halloweenfest Discover Franklin NC