A chef’s childhood food traditions have inspired a menu rich with southern Appalachian ingenuity and beloved family recipes.
Appalachian
Raise a Glass: 7 North Carolina Wine Regions
Set apart by climate, soil, and geography, each of North Carolina’s grape-growing regions produces wines that are just as distinct.
An Our State Playlist: North Carolina Mountain Music
The perfect background music for your fall leaf-peeping trip: Our curated Spotify playlist features a selection of 20 folk and bluegrass songs by North Carolina artists.
NC Icons: Chimney Rock
Shaped by the wind and battered by storms, the iconic rock formation overlooking Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge remains an enduring symbol of our state.
6 Can’t-Miss Hikes for Birding & Blooms in the Blue Ridge
Find yourself surrounded by birdcalls and wildflowers as you welcome the season with a walk in the woods — through old-growth forests, along mountain summits, and past clear, cold creeks.
A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala
Celebrate the season in this mountain town — no matter what time of year you visit.
In Search of Fall Color in the Blue Ridge Mountains
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.
Written in Stone: North Carolina’s Rock Formations
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.
Our State Knows Best: Leaf Peeping
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.
