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sylva

The mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Jackson County.
Sponsored

Discover Jackson County’s Secret Season

Jackson County invites winter travelers to explore backcountry trails, seek out waterfalls, and warm up in local eateries, all while experiencing the quiet stillness of the season.

by Matt Lardie
Dish of ribs and steamed rice at Dalaya Thai
Sponsored

A Food Lover’s Guide to Jackson County

Three days, three delicious towns to explore. Here’s where to pair mountain adventures with culinary excellence.

by Lara Ivanitch
Rhododendron blooms along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Jackson County, NC
Tar Heel Towns

Your Guide to Jackson County

Hike, fly-fish, and settle into a mountain escape in Sylva, Cashiers, and Dillsboro.

by Laura Leavitt
Travel Guides

28 Inspiring Independent Bookstores in North Carolina

These shops are about more than just books — they’re about community.

by Our State Staff
Sponsored

A Locals’ Guide to Jackson County

Discover places to explore in Cashiers, Dillsboro, and Sylva.

by Hannah Lee Leidy
Restaurants

Bringing Back the American Diner at Lucy in the Rye

At this diamond of a diner in Jackson County, comforting classics — both American and Greek — shine bright.

by Katie Kane Reynolds
Baxley's Chocolates sugar plums
Bakery

Sugarplum Fairies Dance at Baxley’s Chocolates

In downtown Sylva, a three-generation chocolate-making legacy continues inside Baxley’s Chocolates, where an uncommon treat is a source of comfort and joy.

by Katie Kane Reynolds
Travel Guides

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.

by Emma Shew & Hannah Kaufman
Travel Guides

A Locals’ Guide to Downtown Sylva

In a small Jackson County town, where trout fill the mountain streams and traffic is confined to the trails, the pull of community calls to both natives and newcomers.

by Chloe Klingstedt
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