Travel & Leisure
Blue Ridge peaks, Outer Banks shores and the retreats between.
The Slow Road: Rediscovering the Blue Ridge Parkway
America's most beloved drive was built for lingering, not arriving. A journey along its 469 miles reveals a Carolina that reveals itself only to those who slow down.
The Outer Banks in Winter, When the Islands Belong to You
Strip away the summer crowds and the barrier islands reveal a wilder, more elemental character — and the season's best rates at their finest inns.
Forty-Eight Hours in Asheville, America's Unlikely Culinary Capital
A mountain town of fewer than 100,000 has assembled a dining scene that rivals cities ten times its size. A weekend itinerary for the serious eater.
Carolina Wine Country Comes Into Its Own
The rolling vineyards of the Yadkin Valley have quietly matured into a serious wine region, complete with the tasting rooms and inns to match.
High Country Luxury: Where to Stay in the Shadow of Grandfather Mountain
The rugged high country around Grandfather Mountain has gained a collection of lodges that pair serious wilderness access with genuine indulgence.
Ocracoke, the Island at the End of the Ferry Line
Reachable only by boat, this remote Outer Banks village guards a slower, saltier way of life — and a dialect all its own.
Highlands and Cashiers, the Mountains' Most Exclusive Address
Perched on a high plateau, these twin resort towns have long drawn the South's elite to their cool summers, private clubs and understated grandeur.
Chasing Waterfalls in the Land of a Thousand Cascades
The mountains of western North Carolina hold one of the densest concentrations of waterfalls in the country. A guide to the finest, from roadside to remote.
Wilmington, Where the River Meets the Sea
The port city pairs a handsomely restored historic riverfront with easy access to island beaches, making it the coast's most complete escape.
The Quieter Side of the Smokies
America's most visited national park has a Carolina flank that most tourists overlook — wilder, less crowded and closer to the mountains' true character.
Roughing It, Gently: The Rise of Carolina Glamping
Safari tents, treehouses and off-grid cabins are letting travelers sleep in the wilderness without surrendering a single comfort.
The Art of the Cast: Fly Fishing the Carolina High Country
Cold, clear mountain streams and a growing network of guides have made western North Carolina a destination for anglers chasing wild trout.