North Carolinians need not depend on the luck of the Irish to see green. With our islands and parks, greenways and fairways, mosses and ferns, all we have to do is look around.
boone
A Cup of Kindness
At his roastery in Boone, the founder of Bald Guy Brew brings together neighbors from across Watauga County and does a good turn for coffee growers around the world.
Wild at Heart
A High Country restaurant has made a name for itself by tapping into the wild side of fine dining. Inside the stone walls of The Gamekeeper, an avowed outdoorsman finds a connection to flavors past.
Peak Beauty at Arborcrest Gardens
Not far from downtown Boone, a lifelong gardener tends his 26 acres with the precision of a doctor and the vision of an artist.
A Chair You Take Anywhere
During the summer, a familiar wood-and-canvas chair designed by a family business in Watauga County makes its way to the North Carolina coast.
Peanut Pit Stop
In Watauga County, a roadside shop named for the owner’s mother is the place to find Appalachian foods, hospitality, and peanuts — perfectly boiled and salted right on the front porch.
Mountain Tales
Once, folks living among the peaks and valleys of western North Carolina entertained each other with tales told around a campfire. Today, modern storytellers keep the tradition alive.
11 Tar Heel Tours
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.
Take it Easy: 11 Cycling Trails Across the State
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.
