At the Greensboro Arboretum, man-made beauty like the 23-foot Dr. Lawrence and Alma Louise Hart Chimes (left) mingles with natural beauty like ginkgo trees (top right). Nearby, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (right) invites visitors for reflection and recreation. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
On 17 acres beside Lindley Park, the Greensboro Arboretum uses the land’s steep slopes and flat plains to display collections of woody ground cover, trees, and shrubs. Signage educates visitors about the plants, which are grouped according to color, habitat, family, growing conditions, and seasonal interest. A few miles north, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park pays tribute to the battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War. Although a victory for the British, it was nevertheless a turning point in favor of the American patriots, led by Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene. Free, self-guided audio tours take guests back to 1781 to learn about the pivotal event.
Part of the Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle is known for its pristine natural environment and fertile marshes. photograph by Matt Ray Photography
In the 1950s, a real estate consultant flew over an undeveloped stretch of the western end of Bogue Banks. To him, the barrier island’s green timberland surrounded by sparkling blue water looked like a gem. He proclaimed the area Emerald Isle. Today, families cross the causeway year after year to soak up some rays on the sand, cast a line from the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, and watch the sun set over the glimmering sound.
Open daily, The Village Green is free for the public to enjoy. Its gazebo and lawn are used for concerts, reunions, and community gatherings. photograph by Tim Robison
When a hotel chain announced plans to purchase two acres in central Cashiers in the early 1990s, residents Al Balestiere, Elizabeth Davenport, and John Lupton were concerned that the village would lose some of its rustic charm. The trio bought the land and donated it for public use. In the years since, the park has grown to nearly 20 acres and now features walking trails, a raised wetland boardwalk, a playground, sculptures, and event spaces, including Lewis Hall, a 5,800-square-foot community building. “We’ve been dubbed ‘the heart of Cashiers,’” says Executive Director Ashlie Mitchell. “By being the location where all of these community events happen, where families and friends are coming together, there’s just so much togetherness while maintaining a very Cashiers look and feel.”
A blanket of moss softens the hard, rugged edges at Raven Rock Falls in Nantahala National Forest (left) and the outcrop of coquina rocks near Fort Fisher. photograph by Tommy White, Eric Alter Photography
Moss appears like velvety sheets across our rugged landscapes, softening sites like Raven Rock Falls in Nantahala National Forest. Between Kure Beach and Fort Fisher, the North Carolina coast’s only outcrop of coquina rocks — a type of sedimentary rock made of fossils — is visible at low tide and provides a habitat for hermit crabs.
Annie Martin cultivates green appeal with her moss landscape installations, transforming knothole branches and stumps into works of art. photograph by Chris Council
Annie Martin, better known as Mossin’ Annie, first became interested in mosses as a child growing up hiking and camping in western North Carolina. In 2008, her fascination led her to found Mountain Moss Enterprises, with the goal of promoting the environmental benefits of moss gardening. Through her business, Martin rescues these often-overlooked plants from construction sites, provides consultations and advice for landscaping, holds lectures and workshops, and creates landscapes and living artwork that she sells. “I was destined to be a moss artist,” she says. “Mosses bring my spirit joy.”
McMillan Greenhouse horticulturist Mary Duke tends to a collection of plants, ranging from rare orchids to trailing tropicals. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
The McMillan Greenhouse at UNC Charlotte hosts an array of habitats for its diverse collection of species. In the Dinosaur Garden, ferns and other living fossils that coexisted with prehistoric reptiles surround a dinosaur sculpture. The Desert Room houses succulents like living stones, which resemble rocks sprouting yellow blossoms. The Economic Room is home to plants that produce foods, like the chocolate tree and the pineapple plant. The wheelchair-accessible gardens change with the seasons, so greenhouse staff recommend visiting throughout the year.
Once called “the most fun 10 acres in all of golf” by the Golf Channel, Pinehurst’s short course, The Cradle, is a nine-hole hit. photograph by Patrick Koenig (pjkoenig.com)
In 1895, Bostonian James Walker Tufts purchased 5,800 acres of barren land in the Sandhills to build a wellness retreat. After hotel guests began hitting golf balls in the cattle fields nearby, Tufts had a nine-hole course constructed. By 1903, the former wildland was becoming a major destination for the sport. Now nicknamed “The Cradle of American Golf,” Pinehurst has hosted many major tournaments, including the 1936 PGA Championship; the 1999, 2005, 2014, and 2024 U.S. Open Championships; and the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open Championship.
The Boone Greenway, favored by casual hikers, cyclists, and families alike, has a covered bridge that crosses the South Fork New River. The core of the trail is less than 3.5 miles from end to end. photograph by Chris Council
Following the headwaters of the New River, the fully accessible Boone Greenway is a mostly flat, paved and gravel trail system that runs from the south side of New River Hills Road to Pride Drive near Blowing Rock Road. The trails traverse forested areas and open meadows. Along the way, visitors encounter a covered bridge, interpretive signs about plants and wildlife, and the stone ruins of the hydroelectric generation station that brought electricity to Boone in 1915.
For five days each March, floral interpretations of works in the North Carolina Museum of Art are installed for Art in Bloom, the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. The event, which began in 2015, now draws more than 16,000 visitors. Why has it become so popular? “I think it’s because flowers are universal,” says Laura Finan, director of stewardship and special initiatives at the museum. “It’s something that everybody’s familiar with, and it makes art relatable.” Among others, this year’s event — beginning March 19 — will interpret pieces by North Carolina-connected artists like Ernie Barnes, Martha Clippinger, and Gwendolyn Knight.
This story was published on Feb 28, 2025
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