George Masa’s Peak Dedication

In the early 20th century, a Japanese photographer and his writer friend traversed the rugged terrain north of Cherokee, mapping its peaks and valleys, documenting its beauty. In the process, they helped save the land we now know as Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Houses of the Holy

Churches have played many roles in western North Carolina. During the week, they once drew children from miles around to attend school. On Saturdays, they became community centers for potlucks and dances. And on Sundays, parishioners still gather to worship, answering the call of the church bell’s peal.

3 Spots to Go Out For Trout

A trip to the Smokies is incomplete without a taste of the region’s iconic fish. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert angler to land a local trout: Three chefs bring the pride of our mountain waters straight to your plate.

The Legendary Lodge of Hooper Bald

In the early 1900s, a self-made businessman fell in love with Graham County and spared no expense in building an extravagant hunting preserve there. A century later, his granddaughter visits to find that all that’s left of his Hooper Bald dream is local lore — and wild boar.