In 1976, the Grove Arcade became one of the country’s first enclosed mall to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. photograph by Krista Rossow
When self-made millionaire and Tasteless Chill Tonic inventor E.W. Grove dreamed of “the most elegant building in America,” the Grove Arcade was born. Opened in 1929, the mall has more than 50 businesses tucked throughout its hallways, from Jonny’s Barbershop to Bebette’s, a New Orleans coffeehouse. — Lauren Rhodes
1 Page Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252-7799
grovearcade.com
In 1992, Locomotive No. 12 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. photograph by Tim Robison
Known as Tweetsie for the sharp tweet-tweet of its whistle, Locomotive No. 12 is the last surviving steam locomotive of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad and the main attraction of the Tweetsie Railroad theme park in Blowing Rock. In addition to hopping the train for a Wild West adventure, visitors can enjoy amusement rides, see animals in the Deer Park Zoo, catch a live show, like the can-can revue, or mine for gems. All aboard! — Rebecca Woltz
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 264-9061
tweetsie.com
Beneath the red-striped awning of Lexington’s Candy Factory, the young and young-at-heart stock up on candies both modern and old-fashioned. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
Peppermint puffs, gumdrops, wax lips, and more: At The Candy Factory in Lexington, revisit sweet-toothed traditions almost as old as the 100-year-old renovated hardware store itself. With baskets filled with everything from peanut butter logs to homemade fudge, you’re sure to find something that hits the spot. — L.R.
15 North Main Street
Lexington, NC 27292
(336) 249-6770
lexingtoncandyfactory.com
illustration by Ed Fotheringham
As Randolph Jazz Band pumps out big band hits like “Pennsylvania 6-5000” and “Sing, Sing, Sing,” folks dressed in period attire swing-dance across the concrete floor of Hangar No. 2 at the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame. The Asheboro nonprofit has been hosting its 1940s Hangar Dance each April for more than 20 years. During World War II, hangar dances were a popular form of recreation — and a way for soldiers and young women to meet and socialize. Today, several aircraft must be removed from the hangar to accommodate the dance floor, band, tables, and buffet — donated by local restaurant Magnolia 23 — but a WWII-era P51 replica plane is left in the corner because “it’s too precious to move,” says board member Wayne Jacobs. “There aren’t a whole lot of events in North Carolina where you can go and experience some of the flavor of what the ’40s were like — it’s fun to go back in time.” — R.W.
April 5
2222 Pilots View Road
Asheboro, NC 27205
(336) 625-0170
ncamhof.com
In Wake County, 70 small gristmills once powered the industry. Today, only Yates Mill is still active. photograph by pabradyphoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus
On weekends from March to November, tour the only fully restored and operational automatic mill in North Carolina. For 200 years after Samuel Pearson built a water-powered gristmill on this property around 1756, the operation was a vital part of Wake County life. Now, it’s part of a 174-acre park — and it beats a trip to the grocery store any day. — L.R.
4620 Lake Wheeler Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 856-6675
yatesmill.org
illustration by Ed Fotheringham
For a reminder of old-fashioned family camping trips — and a celebration of the shiny silver campers that never go out of style — watch an Airstream parade in downtown Tryon, attend a community campfire, and then tour 20 or so of the famous cruisers at an open house, featuring models ranging from the 1970s to today. — Celia Funderburk
downtowntryon.org/events/airstream-rally
illustration by Ed Fotheringham
As beloved as the boardwalk, a breezy bike ride has long been a favorite beach tradition. Stop by Tony Silvagni Surf School in Carolina Beach to rent a classic cruiser (or a new electric bike — we won’t tell). Silvagni recommends pedaling down the 1.2-mile Island Greenway, but for a longer trip, you can continue another 1.3 miles to reach Carolina Beach State Park. — C.F.
107 Charlotte Avenue
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 232-1592
surfschoolnc.com
The chance to beat that high score from long ago — or just yesterday — lures arcade enthusiasts to the Appalachian Pinball Museum. photograph by Tim Robison
Return to the whimsical, childhood feeling of praying that your ball stays in play at this Hendersonville arcade, which features about 85 vintage and contemporary pinball machines and video games. — C.F.
538 North Main Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 702-9277
facebook.com/pinballplayers
Take a narrated tour and watch the sun set as you coast alongside the Wilmington Riverwalk on the Henrietta. photograph by Matt Ray Photography
When the Henrietta cruises through the glistening waters of the Cape Fear River, it follows in the wake of dozens of steamboats that once plied these same waters throughout the 19th century. The Henrietta relies on modern power rather than coal, and downtown Wilmington’s skyline has changed a bit over the centuries, but the sights and sounds on the water remain largely the same — though, perhaps a bit quieter than during the Industrial Revolution. — L.R.
101 South Water Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 613-9822
capefearriverboats.com
illustration by Ed Fotheringham
Grab some candy and a bucket of popcorn from the snack stand, cozy up in your car, and settle in for a double feature at the Badin Road Drive-In in Albemarle, the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theater in Henderson, or at a handful of other drive-ins across the state. At the pastime’s peak of popularity in the mid-20th century, North Carolina was home to 200 drive-in theaters. Today, our last few carry on a nostalgic tradition. — C.F.
Tucked into a historic neighborhood, a backyard in Forsyth County holds hundreds of Southern wildflowers collected by one wild flower woman.
John Champlin has traveled across the state — and the nation — in search of hard-to-find spots that serve an unforgettable hot dog. After 11 years, what he’s discovered goes way beyond the bun.
In the early 20th century, textile mill owners sponsored baseball teams, providing entertainment for their employees and nurturing a passion for the game that’s been handed down through generations of North Carolinians.
Our writer reflects on where his love of vinyl began, and how the snap, crackle, and pop of a needle sliding across a turntable will always satisfy his soul.
