We followed the Blue Ridge Parkway down through North Carolina, from Cumberland Knob just below the Virginia state line all the way to Cherokee, compiling our favorite vistas along the way.
photo essay
Enchantment Under the Stars: A Photo Essay
Star light, star bright — won’t you join us for a show tonight? The cicadas are singing, and the air smells like campfire smoke, or drive-in popcorn, or a saltwater breeze. From the mountains to the coast, nighttime in North Carolina is a work of art.
A Bird’s-Eye View of North Carolina: A Photo Essay
From wading shorebirds to mountain-dwelling warblers, our avian neighbors have a lot to teach us about the places we call home. A naturalist’s list of 16 must-see birds tells the story of our state in feathers and flight paths.
Easter in North Carolina
When the sun rises on Easter morning, its warming rays make their way across our landscape — from the sandy shores to the tallest peaks — flooding our homes and hearts with hope and light.
The Snows of Appalachia: A Photo Essay
In the west, where the landscape rises to meet the sky, winter arrives early and puts on a show, softening our rugged peaks with a blanket of snow.
Carolina Corn: A Photo Essay
Using tried-and-true techniques, modern millers grind local kernels to make grits for your bowl and cornmeal for your skillet.
The Fare of the North Carolina State Fair
We’ll be dreaming of those 11 delicious days in Raleigh until we’re back at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. For now, we’re fondly revisiting the best eats — and the friendliest faces — that only come around once a year.
Retro Mountain Magic: A Photo Essay
Two classic theme parks — Land of Oz in Beech Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock — hold fond memories of growing up in North Carolina.
Paradise at 4,500 Feet
High on Toxaway Mountain, one of the state’s best-kept secrets unfolds like a fairytale. Southern Highlands Reserve is a native plant arboretum, a research center, a living laboratory. Most of all, it’s a place of unparalleled beauty.
