Five towns — plus unparalleled outdoor pursuits, artistic endeavors, and delicious provisions and craft brews — to explore on your next trip to western North Carolina.
canoeing
18 Stops for a Family Fun Day in High Point
Discover cultural, culinary, and adventurous destinations perfect for kids and adults alike during an outing to this Piedmont city.
Paddling Along
Between our lakes and sounds, our marshes and swamps, and the rivers that crisscross our state, North Carolina is a playground for kayakers and canoers.
8 Ways to Play at Jordan Lake
Spend warm summer days splashing in the water, boating around the shore, and pitching a tent in this slice of wilderness spanning Chatham and Wake counties.
3 Paddling Trails to Explore
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.
A Voice for the River
The Catawba River flows freely through the Blue Ridge Mountains, pours into North Carolina’s “Inland Sea” — Lake Norman — and winds past urban Charlotte. At every turn, this waterway’s champion is the Catawba Riverkeeper.
The Joys of West Jefferson
In this artsy Ashe County town, discover dozens of colorful murals and local galleries, try famous “squeaky cheese,” float down the New River, and more.
Mother’s Daughter
Camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway brings together two generations of women to share memories and to learn more about each other than either ever knew.
A Spring Paradise Found in Olde English District
Head (just a little bit) south, to a patchwork of Palmetto State counties that offers countless hiking, biking, and paddling adventures — plus gardens, you-pick farms, and more.
