At an elevation of more than 5,000 feet, Fred’s General Mercantile is among the country’s highest such stores. And for generations of Beech Mountain locals and visitors, it’s where they go to get everything they need.
That’s a Wrap
For a pair of empty nesters, abundance under the tree — and a careful choreography of ribbons and wrapping paper — keeps the magic of Christmas morning alive all season long.
Wild at Heart
A High Country restaurant has made a name for itself by tapping into the wild side of fine dining. Inside the stone walls of The Gamekeeper, an avowed outdoorsman finds a connection to flavors past.
The Witching Hour
For young North Carolinians, learning the haunted history of our state — whether in a classroom or around a campfire — is a rite of passage.
Off the Map
Like its former residents — farmers and moonshiners, all fiercely independent — The Harricanes stands apart. In defiance of the fast-growing cities around it, the region has mostly returned to nature, a steadfast reminder of a vanishing landscape.
Into the Woods
From sweeping vistas to secluded coves, North Carolina’s four national forests conserve our untamed lands for wildlife and human explorers alike.
Fair Winds & Following Seas
As he waves a fond farewell to the family boat, a writer looks back on the ways that it opened his eyes to the watery wonders of North Carolina.
Backcountry Luxury
For a pair of happy campers — perfectly content to rough it in the wilderness — a “glampground” in Watauga County offers all the creature comforts, plus a change of heart.
Tracks in the Sand
For the Ramblin’ Kids, no training ground better captured the freedom and infinite possibilities of learning to drive than the beaches at Cape Lookout National Seashore.
