A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

1. Start with a morning hike on the Four Seasons Trail at Chimney Rock State Park. Enjoy the diverse wildflowers and wildlife early before the park gets busy. 2. Next

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

1. Start with a morning hike on the Four Seasons Trail at Chimney Rock State Park. Enjoy the diverse wildflowers and wildlife early before the park gets busy. 2. Next

Highway 64 West Day Trip Guide

1. Start with a morning hike on the Four Seasons Trail at Chimney Rock State Park. Enjoy the diverse wildflowers and wildlife early before the park gets busy.

2. Next soak up some rays on the shore of Lake Lure. The beach at Lake Lure is anything but ordinary. You can take a relaxing dip, and then float on the lake while taking in the surrounding lush green mountains.

3. Take a 20 minute drive and visit the Alpine and LaMancha dairy goats at Round Mountain Creamery in Black Mountain for cheese tastings and farm tours.

4. Head west and stop at Hot Dog World, a local favorite in Henderson County.

5. Finish up your day at Brevard’s Oskar Blue’s Brewery, one of the largest craft breweries in the country. Oskar Blue’s offers free brewery tours and has a tasting room.

See more of our day trip recommendations for other NC towns. 

This story was published on Sep 02, 2015

Our State Staff

Since 1933, Our State has shared stories about North Carolina with readers both in state and around the world. We celebrate the people and places that make this state great. From the mountains to the coast, we feature North Carolina travel, history, food, and beautiful scenic photography.