Category: Tourism

The first full week of May, May 3-May 11 this year, is annually recognized as National Travel & Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984 as cities, states and travel businesses nationwide hold localized events to champion the power of travel. The U.S. Travel Association’s new advocacy and awareness campaign – Travel Effect – is the theme of the 2014 celebration. North Carolina’s nine Welcome Centers celebrate National Travel & Tourism week by inviting travel partners to help thank …

North Carolina’s state parks are actively seeking volunteers to help protect the state’s rich natural resources and serve an expected 14 million visitors this year, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. At all 40 state parks and state recreation areas, volunteers serve in many capacities including campground hosts, visitor center aids, trail workers and special events coordinators, and they provide manpower for specials projects involving tree planting, habitat improvement, inventory of rare species and environmental education. Anyone …

The N.C. Dept. of Commerce invites North Carolinians to share ideas and creative expressions demonstrating what North Carolina means to them as the department develops a new brand for marketing the state. The Brand North Carolina Project is being conducted by the UNC-Chapel Hill’s Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise (KIPE) and sponsored by Commerce. “The state’s need for one overarching brand was identified by the North Carolina Economic Development Board,” said N.C. Commerce Sec. Sharon Decker, referring to …

For the week of March 20 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, celebrate Lebanese culture during Cedar in the Pines on the Plaza at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. Put the pedal to the metal with Cycle North Carolina in Oriental. Practice your aim with Black River Paintball in Angier. Enjoy simple classics at High Rock Farm in Gibsonville. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Dame’s Chicken & Waffles in Durham. (Please note: listings are subject to …

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 17, 2014) — If winter felt unusually harsh, spring’s arrival seems long overdue. Experience the season in North Carolina and you’ll find that it was worth the wait. Here are eight ways to enjoy the sunnier days and warmer nights. Find more inspiration as well as places to relax and refuel at VisitNC.com. Walk the wildflower trails North Carolina’s mountain wildflowers are nearly as famous as the fall foliage. Color unfolds from March to June with a …

For the week of March 13 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, step back in time at the Historic Train Depot in Burgaw. Enjoy the beauty of camellias at camellia shows in Wilmington and Charlotte. Marvel at the engineering of yesteryear during the Sandhills Antique Farm Show in Lillington. Lift a pint at Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton. And check out the scene at Vimila’s Curryblossom Café in Chapel Hill. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is …

Jody Pernell of Henderson has been named manager of the I-85 North Welcome Center in Warren County. Pernell joins the Welcome Centers with nearly 20 years of customer service experience, having served as general manager of Greenway’s Authentic Charcoal Grill in Henderson and Middleburg Steak House in Middleburg. Pernell joined the other eight Welcome Center managers at the N.C. Governor’s Conference on Tourism this week in Charlotte. She can be reached at (252) 456-3236 or via Jody.pernell@nccommerce.com. Special thanks to …

Durham’s got something only Forth Worth, Texas, has: an arch-supported, stress-ribbon pedestrian bridge. If you walk down the American Tobacco Trail or drive down Interstate-40 through Durham, you’ll see the $11 million bridge – a work of steel art, consisting of a large metal arch of rolled steel that bows over I-40 with no support in the center. The walking deck is only 12 inches thick and is made of concrete and reinforced steel. This bridge is being touted as …

For the week of March 6 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, take in the Picasso Ceramics Exhibit at Methodist University in Fayetteville. Enjoy a tour of Raleigh via Triangle Glides Segway Rides. Explore the Hickory SALT Block in Hickory. Discover the House of Flags Museum in Columbus. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Wang’s Bistro in Zebulon. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. In addition, UNC-TV …

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Governor Pat McCrory and the NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development announced today the recipients of the Winner’s Circle awards, given annually since 2004 to people who have made significant and continuing contributions to the growth and success of North Carolina’s tourism industry. The 2014 honorees include: Richard Petty, charter member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Horace Holden, Aurelia Kennedy and Payson Kennedy, founders of the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and Ron Kimble, Charlotte Deputy City …

For the week of Feb. 27 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, admire the participants of the N.C. Arts Council Artist Fellowship Award Exhibition at CAM Raleigh in Raleigh. Tempt your tastebuds at Crafted: the Art of the Taco in Greensboro. Take in a movie or TV show at Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema in Greensboro. Feel like flying at the N.C. Aviation Museum Hall of Fame in Asheboro. And check out the scene and entertainment at Enso Asian Bistro in Charlotte. (Please …

Governor Pat McCrory announced last week that $500,000 from the Office of State Budget and Management’s Repair and Renovation Contingency Reserve has been allocated to the Battleship North Carolina, the state’s World War II memorial in Wilmington, to repair its hull. “Our administration values the wealth of North Carolina history that hinges upon the upkeep and support of the Battleship North Carolina,” said Gov. McCrory. “We are committed to supporting thorough and efficient repairs of this storied ship.” This funding …

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham has announced plans for a $3.9 million expansion to build two new outdoor learning environments on the Museum’s 84-acre campus. “Hideaway Woods,” opening in Summer 2015, will have tree house villages, living twig and sapling structures, and play space especially for visitors ages 18 months-5 years. “Earth Moves,” slated to open in 2016, will immerse visitors in Earth sciences with a large scale digger pit, earthquake platform and free-standing waterfall.

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 19, 2014) — North Carolina, one of the nation’s top craft beer states, celebrates the craftsmanship of 100 breweries and destinations that embrace it with the return of NC Beer Month in April 2014. NC Beer Month, co-sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Tourism and the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild, directs travelers to a rising range of beerscapes, from brewery-rich cities and welcoming towns to unexpected finds in lesser-known places. Major festivals, singular events, special-edition …

For the week of Feb. 22, on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, sit back and enjoy the Murphey School Radio Show in Orange County. “Collecting Carolina” looks at Moravian pottery in Winston-Salem. Take in an exhibit at African American Atelier in Greensboro. Get back to nature at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in Wadesboro. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the …

During the state’s recent widespread snow events, the Division’s 1-800-VISITNC Call Center fielded calls from citizens and visitors alike seeking current road conditions and other vital information. Calls to the N.C. Dept. of Transportation’s customer service department were transferred to the Call Center, which maintained 24-hour service throughout the storms and their aftermath. During last week’s winter storms, the Call Center handled more than 2,700 weather-related calls; it fielded more than 1,600 weather-related calls during the storm in late January. …

For the week of Feb. 13, on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, take in a N.C. Theatre performance of “Les Miserables” in Raleigh. Enjoy exploring the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby. Get up and move at The Barn Dance in Julian. Relax at Darlings by the Sea hotel in Kure Beach. And tempt your taste buds at French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Asheville. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. …