Visit NC

Begin at Toe River Arts Gallery, a strong introduction to Spruce Pine’s creative community. The gallery features regional artists working in painting, pottery, jewelry, mixed media and more, with pieces rooted in the Toe River Valley’s long craft tradition. It’s a smart first stop for understanding the area’s art scene — and finding something distinctly local to take home. Website (828) 765-0520 Directions Down the street, Spruce Pint Taproom gives a storied Oak Avenue corner a fresh pour.

The 301 Endless Yard Sale returns June 19-20 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day – bringing together treasure hunters, collectors and curious travelers from across the country. Stretching more than 100 miles along US Highway 301, this one-of-a-kind event is packed with everything from everyday finds like clothes, kitchen gadgets, vintage records and toys to unexpected pieces like antiques and old farm equipment. You never know what you’ll discover.

Patches of carnivorous plants grow beside elevated boardwalks at Carolina Beach State Park, allowing for close encounters with the native Venus flytrap. The wheelchair-accessible, mixed-surface Flytrap Trail leads through longleaf pine forests, pocosin wetlands and wild-grass savannas. Website (910) 458-8206 Directions Eastern hemlock trees, galax and other mountain vegetation thrive in Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, a 140-acre patch of unspoiled wilderness in Cary.

Bringing the arts to life for both locals and visitors, the Yadkin Arts Council is a great way to kickstart your trip to NC's Wine Region. Explore the Welborn Art Gallery, highlighting the work of local and regional artists, or catch a show at the onsite Willingham Theatre. If you arrive earlier in the day, grab breakfast or lunch at the Center Bistro, surrounded by inspiring artwork, and check out year-round art classes. Visit their website for current exhibits, show schedules and dining hours.

Get lost in a colorful maze of yellow and gold blooms during a visit to The Fields at Sunflower Trail. This outgrowth of Brock and Tabitha Holbrook’s reception venue in Mocksville showcases more than 30 varieties of sunflowers. The tradition also continues at Dix Park, where the City of Raleigh has planted 5 acres of sunflowers since 2018, inviting the public to explore the patch daily for free from dusk to dawn.

For the Outdoor Explorer For those who'd rather be on the trail than in traffic, this guide is packed with gear and inspiration for adventurers who feel most at home under open skies. Whether it’s a weekend camping trip, a new paddle route or miles of scenic switchbacks, these picks are made for making memories outside.

Everyone says you have to see Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But being a “must see” doesn’t mean it can’t surprise you. Learn more about this classically North Carolina destination, and then go beyond the guidebook with our insider tips.

Creativity runs deep in Hickory, and the arts take center stage. Start at the Hickory Museum of Art, where rotating exhibitions spotlight regional and national talent. (Please note: The museum is temporarily closed as it undergoes a renovation.) Browse contemporary works at Trade Alley Art, or make the short drive to NoCo Arts in nearby Newton. Even your coffee stop doubles as a gallery at Taste Full Beans.

The wheels on this bus no longer go ’round and ’round, but you can certainly go up and down, thanks to a rooftop patio delivering grade A vistas of the South Mountains. Prepare to be amazed at how spacious — and stylish — a school bus can be when the seats are stripped out. Quality time and bottles of wine are guaranteed at this 200-year-old family farm.

Visit NC develops and offers North Carolina travel destinations and organizations affordable co-op advertising, marketing, research and management programs. These cooperative programs are evaluated and selected based on their ability to effectively and efficiently reach North Carolina's target consumer. Visit NC’s Cooperative Marketing & Research Program is your gateway to smarter, more effective tourism marketing — designed to fit any budget, amplify your visibility and drive real results.