Category: Tourism

About 15 percent of the 13.2 million people who visited Wake County last year – including both locals and travelers – came for music events, many in Raleigh. Last year, World of Bluegrass had an estimated economic impact of $10 million, bringing about 150,000 people into the city’s streets, hotels, restaurants and retail businesses, reports the Greater Raleigh CVB. That’s on par with Wilkesboro’s annual MerleFest, one of the state’s largest and most popular annual bluegrass festivals. Landing World of …

Asheville’s craft brewery boom continues to see explosive growth, with local beer producers dropping millions on expansions and staff. The $175 million New Belgium brewery going up in West Asheville along the French Broad River stands out as the area’s biggest project, and it reflects the nation’s growing preference for craft beer, such as IPAs, pale ales, bitters and others styles. Year-to-date sales for craft beer are up 20 percent in 2014 from 2013 numbers, according to the Brewers Association …

For the week of Sept. 11 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, learn about the great work being done at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital in Topsail Beach. Relax at the Bee’s Knees Country Store and Run of the Mill B & B in Henderson. Celebrate rural agriculture life at the Jones County Heritage Festival in Trenton. Get your toes a-tappin’ along the Blue Ridge Music Trail, starting in Fletcher. And check out the scene at the NC Music Factory …

For the week of Sept. 4 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, step back in history at the Joel Lane House in Raleigh. Discover the art of beekeeping at The Honey Hole in West Jefferson. Lift a glass (or more than one) along the Uwharrie Mountains Wine Trail near Albemarle. Tempt your taste buds at the South End Food Truck Rodeo in Charlotte. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Knife and Fork restaurant in Spruce Pine. (Please note: listings …

RALEIGH – In recognition of the state’s growing wine and grape industry, Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed September 2014 as North Carolina Wine and Grape Month. “The state’s wine and grape industry has grown significantly in recent years. It now employs more than 7,600 workers and has an economic impact of nearly $1.3 billion,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We look forward to seeing it grow even more in the coming years.” One indicator of the industry’s maturity is the …

AAA Travel projects 34.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the highest volume for the holiday since 2008 and a 1.3 percent increase over 2013. Nearly 86 percent of travelers (29.7 million) will celebrate the holiday with a final road trip before summer comes to a close and children head back to school. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, August 28, to Monday, September 1. Historically, …

For the week of Aug. 28 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, take in a performance of The Iron Curtain Trilogy at the Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh. Lift a glass at Fortnight Brewing Company in Cary. Enjoy loads of fun at the N.C. Gourd Festival in Raleigh. Relax at the Red Rocker Inn in Black Mountain. And tempt your taste buds at Trio in Kitty Hawk. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the …

Check this link for videos of the new coaster and much more Carowinds info:  www.carowindsconnection.com The world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster will connect the beloved Carolina park’s historic past with its thrilling future. Charlotte, NC  – For more than 40 years, Carowinds has been the place where the Carolinas come together. It’s where the Tar Heel State and the Palmetto State meet. It’s where families and friends bond over thrilling rides and entertainment. Carowinds will now unite its storied history …

For the week of Aug. 21 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, Collecting Carolina examines duck decoys at Harkers Island. Enjoy a tour of downtown Wake Forest. Have fun outdoors at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury. Take in the Museum of Durham History’s “Hugh Mangum on Main Street: Portraits from the Early 20th Century” exhibit at the Durham History Hub. And the House Special samples the fare at The Porch Kitchen and Cantina in Winston-Salem. (Please note: listings are subject to …

For the week of Aug. 14 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, celebrate your patriotism during the 125th Soldiers Reunion in Newton. Go hiking along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail at Chimney Rock State Park in Chimney Rock. Tempt your taste buds at Heirloom restaurant in Charlotte. Enjoy the great outdoors at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park in Seven Springs. And see what’s cooking at The Pit in Durham. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is …

For the week of Aug. 7 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, “Collecting Carolina” looks at quilts at the Shelton House in Waynesville. Take to the trees at Navitat Canopy Adventures in Barnardsville. Tempt your taste buds at La Farm Bakery in Cary. Enjoy the great outdoors at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Quality Grocery in Raleigh. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. …

For the week of July 31 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, zip, bike or raft at the Adventure Center of Asheville. Explore the Roanoke River Lighthouse in Edenton. Step back in time at the Chicamocomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe. Tempt your taste buds at Fincastle’s Diner in Greensboro. And tour the Rock Barn Golf & Spa Resort in Conover. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. In addition, UNC-TV …

For the week of July 24 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, “Collecting Carolina” looks at the silver at Tryon Palace in New Bern. Step back in time at the Museum of the Waxhaws in Waxhaw. Discover regional history at the Swannanoa Valley Museum in Black Mountain. Tempt your sweet tooth at Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop in Charlotte. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Southbound Sandwich in Burlington. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend …

For the week of July 10 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, experience a wealth of cultures at Folkmoot in Waynesville. Enjoy the great outdoors at Goose Creek State Park in Washington. Take a tour of Reidsville. Relax amid country chic at the Inn at Little Pond Farm in Valle Crucis. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Jones Café in Clayton. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. …

Raleigh – The N.C. Department of Transportation Ferry Division is reminding visitors and businesses that it is operating under its normal route schedules, and reservations are being accepted for its Cedar Island-Ocracoke and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke routes again. Service was disrupted as ferries were kept at their docks while Hurricane Arthur passed by the Outer Banks late last week, but all seven routes were back at work by July 4. Because of restrictions on re-entry onto Ocracoke Island by the Hyde …

Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed July Got to Be NC Agriculture Month. The proclamation notes agriculture and agribusiness constitute the top industry in North Carolina, providing more than $77 billion in revenue, of which $14.9 billion comes directly from farm production; North Carolina leads the nation in the production of sweet potatoes and tobacco, and is second in production of pork, trout, poultry, eggs and Christmas trees; and nearly a fifth of the state’s workforce is employed in some field …

The National Park Service has announced the availability of $3 million in grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for a new “Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership” program, a nationally competitive grant program. These funds will help acquire and/or develop land for public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Matching 1:1 grants will be awarded in amounts between $250,000 and $500,000 federal share. Proposals, whether state or locally-sponsored, must be submitted by each state’s Land and Water …

For the week of July 3 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, enjoy a walking tour of Bath. Explore Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. Experience the Franklin Folk Festival in Franklin. Discover Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam. And check out the scene at Babylon in Raleigh. Due to special holiday programming, the program’s re-airing on Friday, July 4, will be at 11 pm. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division …