The October 2022 Issue

This small town is a destination for gem enthusiasts, history buffs, and Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, which gives residents plenty of chances to share their beloved mountain home.

Fill your home with gorgeous gourds, hand-woven baskets, and fall-scented candles from three talented North Carolina artists and makers.

Sugar, spice, and a little bit of pumpkin is nice: In North Carolina, sweet treats put us in an autumn state of mind.

In Buncombe County, a family shares its Cuban heritage in flavorful dishes with a North Carolina flair.

A Cleveland County farmer uses local crops, including his own, to put a new spin on old-fashioned drinking vinegars.

Find out what makes our ancient Appalachian Mountains so magnificent in this primer on our peaks.

Our curated Spotify playlist features a selection of Appalachian folk music and bluegrass — the perfect soundtrack for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, from Sparta to Cherokee.

We talked to three biologists about how and when to plan a trip to see peak fall color in North Carolina, their favorite hikes and overlooks, and why our mountains are one of the best places in the country to see stunning autumn leaves.

Top corned beef hash with North Carolina eggs for a hearty, delicious breakfast.

Top these fluffy pancakes with cooked apples, a dollop of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Tear open a warm buttermilk biscuit and stuff it with crispy fried pork, a slice of heirloom tomato, and a dash of Texas Pete.

Sometimes, when his house full of Tar Heel fanatics huddles up around the TV, the Ramblin’ Man gets to feeling a little sidelined. Hard as he tries, “tackle” and “net” conjure visions of mountain streams, even during football and basketball seasons.

According to Cherokee legend, when the Earth was created, the Great Buzzard flew low over the flat land, his beating wings sculpting mountains and valleys below. Today, science offers its own explanations for our state’s geological marvels.

Hidden away in the hollers just west of the Piedmont, where the land begins to rise, our ancestors learned to enjoy themselves with homemade whiskey, music, car racing, and other activities that provided relief from the arduous work of farming and laboring in mills.

More than a century ago, some called Statesville the liquor capital of the world. Then came Prohibition. Today, Southern Distilling Company is on a mission to prove that North Carolina spirits are more than just moonshine.

The sprawling vineyards and wide-open skies that stretch for miles across seven North Carolina counties offer relaxing getaways — not to mention some of the state’s finest wines — for Sunday drivers aching to escape the rush of city life.

Behind the easy elegance of an afternoon in the Yadkin Valley are hours of unseen work and hard-won expertise. At Surry Community College, future vintners soak up the wisdom of wine country.

What’s a sonker? Ask bakers in and around Mount Airy, and you’ll get a thousand different answers. One thing’s for certain: It’s a North Carolina original.

This one-of-a-kind dessert that defies definition is the signature dish of Surry County — and each stop on the Sonker Trail is part of a delicious history.

The spectacular views in North Carolina’s High Country aren’t just inspiration for writers, painters, and sculptors. Those landscapes — the rugged gray face of Grandfather Mountain, the vibrant fall leaves, the deep green meadows — are brushstrokes on Earth’s own canvas.

An Appalachian State University professor explores the mountains to find the telltale shades of autumn. Then he shares on social media the best places to find the most color in nature.

Contemporary murals adorn the exteriors of buildings throughout West Jefferson and the High Country. But the walls inside a handful of churches offer stunning displays of an ancient technique.

To an untrained ear, the sounds emanating from downtown street corners form a cacophony of drums and strings and synthesizers. To musicians and poets and music lovers, it’s a distinctive symphony like no other.

When The Admiral opened 15 years ago, the dive bar with world-class food helped usher in a new era for Asheville. Together, both restaurant and city became nationally recognized destinations.

A big-city photographer had a vision to transform a storied Burnsville property into a space for contemplation and reflection — a healing place.

Among the stone and pine in our southern mountains, monied gentry built their summer homes and established towns that helped define the area.

At a country inn in Highlands, museum-quality artifacts share space with local art, books, and vinyl records, offering a curated experience for visitors to this mountain town where time seems to stand still.

For nearly 40 years, TJ Bailey’s has helped men suit up to meet every dress code in Highlands, from black-tie formal to croquet casual.

A Southern Cup draws on the long tradition of teatime, giving customers a place to gather and celebrate one another.

In the towns and communities in and around the Qualla Boundary, the Cherokee have endured like the ancient rhododendrons with which they share a home.

In the far-western reaches of the state, two men who learned to quilt from the communities around them are dispelling stereotypes while continuing a beloved — and necessary — mountain tradition.

Why does this Haywood County town have some of the cleanest water in the state? It’s the result of the community’s efforts to keep the forests in its watershed pristine.

By the early 1980s, downtown Asheville is struggling. But when a plan to jump-start the area threatens to alter its character, locals spring into action, taking steps toward a bright future.

How the wife of a literary giant became renowned in her own right as one of the nation’s preeminent dairy goat breeders in Flat Rock.