The September 2023 Issue

Two decades after a 19th-century cotton mill on the Tar River closed its doors, it has filled once more with the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined the area for centuries.

From nursery to play space to cozy hideaway, a kid’s bedroom is a prism that reflects who they are today — and who they’ve been along the way.

At a Henderson County café, in rooms decorated to evoke a Shakespearean cottage or J.R.R. Tolkien’s favorite pub, book lovers discuss literature over tea and scones.

A historic home on the banks of the Neuse River serves as the ultimate family gathering spot.

Many debate the greatest of all time in American sports, but when it comes to North Carolina racing, there’s no doubt who reigns supreme.

At a diner in the heart of a Randolph County town, locals gather for special celebrations and daily meetups over homemade meals.

This odd native fruit had been all but forgotten — but a farmer in Watauga County is singing its praises.

Since moving to the High Country in the early 1970s, one woman has proudly advocated for nearly every cause in her Watauga County town.

For decades, our farmers have cultivated a seemingly endless yield of sweet potatoes, making North Carolina the leading producer in the country. Beneath our soil, a fall treat awaits.

In 1941, Smithfield native Ava Gardner’s mom told The State about a call with her daughter’s new boyfriend — American box-office star Mickey Rooney.

For the uninitiated, channel markers are like a secret language, mysterious and difficult to decode. For those who work and play on the water, they provide essential guidance in navigating the North Carolina coast.

A devoted son honors his mom — and all of North Carolina’s mill workers — through the Morganton-based Workers’ Legacy Project.

An avid cyclist whose love of riding began as a child shares the story of how he overcame a life-changing crash to hit the pedals again.

Across North Carolina — in neighborhoods and on city streets, along beaches and through mountain forests — cyclists of every skill level find plenty of places to pedal.

Many of these trails are part of larger greenway or rails-to-trails networks, making the opportunities for exploration nearly endless. All are bike- and kid-friendly, and most provide some level of parking and ADA access.

In a vintage kitchen in Wake County, a family recipe made using heirloom equipment brings together generations for food and fellowship.

Paddle beneath a canopy of sycamore trees lining the Yadkin River, glide atop flat water or traverse whitewater rapids on the French Broad River, or set up camp along the Roanoke River for a multi-day adventure.

Say hello to the residents of the North Carolina Zoo’s Watani Grasslands habitat.

Guides on New Bern’s Historic Trolley Tour show off the varied and elegant architecture of the city — while also introducing the real people behind the stories and legends.

From Asheville to Charlotte to Wilmington, a North Carolina food tour company headed by a woman passionate about fine dining offers tasty nuggets of local history and cuisines.

Fascinated by spooky stories, haunted histories, and macabre happenings from her hometown’s past, a former history major with a background in theater introduces groups to the ghosts of Southport.

In the forests around Asheville, bathing in the serenity and beauty of the pines and oaks and walnut trees makes it feel as though time stands still.

On a spiritual journey through Durham, the Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope peels back the layers of the city, revealing chapters of its history that are not always visible from the surface.

Join some of North Carolina’s expert guides to learn about history and architecture, wildlife and food, and the people who have shaped our state.