Chef Andy Long puts Appalachia on the table (by way of Louisiana), and everyone — from locals to leaf peepers — is eating it up. But it’s the mountain community he’s found and fostered that makes his farmhouse restaurant feel like home.
Photo Essay: Banner Elk
High in a northwestern corner of the state, a little town on the Elk River welcomes new friends and temporary neighbors to celebrate mild summers, snowy winters, and — perhaps most spectacularly — bright, beautiful autumns.
Toad & Wee: Off the Map
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the best-laid plans of boys and their parents take a back seat to spontaneous discoveries and mountain magic.
The Getaway
Our modern world is smaller than it used to be. So how far away can you get from people, from society, from modern life? Our writer found North Carolina’s most remote spot and went there to find out.
Tryon: Horse Country
Poised to become a world stage for equestrian sports, this Foothills town of rolling pastures and woodlands is home to some 1,600 residents — and one horse for every 2½ people.
Justus Orchard in Hendersonville
In Henderson County, a treasured family tradition begins with an empty basket, a stroll among the apple trees — and a fried apple pie.
Elsewhere on 10th in North Wilkesboro
A Wilkes County native returned to her hometown with a vision that was new for the area. Now, her restaurant harvests inspiration from local farms and gardens.
The Happy Shack in West Jefferson
At a colorful, travel-inspired shop in the High Country, expect the unexpected.
Decidedly Sylva: Innovation Brewing Company
A young, enterprising couple set their sights on a small town with big appeal. They built their taproom from the inside out — and now it’s a favorite local hub.
