There are good reasons that Flat Rock, NC has long been called “the Little Charleston of the Mountains.” For one, its historic charm is undeniable. The village also has longstanding ties to the South Carolina Lowcountry, and the Charleston area in particular. Plus, like the Holy City, it is a popular tourist destination for people […]
Five simple ingredients. Infinite possibilities and room for argument. (Why else would Google deliver 281,000 video results for a sandwich with 80% of the ingredients in its name?) The bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich has a century-long reputation as a classic American sandwich. It’s beloved by millions around the nation, and has inspired artists and […]
Being a small town doesn’t mean you can’t offer some of the finest dining in Western North Carolina. Even this spring, as we’ve navigated ever-changing social distancing measures, Brevard, NC has continued to deliver—literally!—some of the best food in the region. The Transylvania Chamber of Commerce has put together a spreadsheet of local restaurant availabilities […]
You get excited when the first tendrils of fall’s crisp breezes creep in through the window. You can’t wait to see the first flakes of snow stick to the branches of your evergreens. But by mid-February, it’s easy to feel downtrodden by the ongoing gloomy days and chilly nights. Right about now, we start dreaming […]
Great mountain towns deserve to be thoroughly explored, one foot (or paw) in front of the other. And by picking the right places beforehand, it’s easy to bring your dog along. Even though its full-time residents number less than 1,000, Saluda, NC is one such town, full of paw-some spots that both you and your […]
In the early 1990s, Asheville was, in essence, a “no man’s land.” Abandoned buildings made up a large portion of a once thriving downtown, now a victim of physical and economical decay. It seemed nobody wanted to take a chance on the city, save for a few early entrepreneurs and visionaries. And it was at […]
Thanksgiving is all about sharing a great home-cooked meal with your loved ones. Turkey and gravy. Mashed potatoes. Green beans and black-eyed peas. A big slice of pie with a dollop of fresh whipped cream! The only thing better than the food is the company. But in Western North Carolina, it’s easy to get good […]
Ten years ago, the downtown corridor of Canton was relatively desolate: Abandoned building after abandoned building. Empty parking lots. Folks only passing through town in search of a gas station on the way to somewhere else. But, in an effort to save the downtown district, a handful of businesses have recently popped up. Two of […]
Is there ever a bad time for pizza? Cheesy, melty, sometimes greasy, and always satisfying. Rich and complex or breathtakingly simple. Pizza can cover all the categories on the food pyramid—making it the perfect balanced meal, don’t you think? There are times when all you need is a quick slice, and other times where it […]
Let’s be frank about local barbecue. Eastern or Western? The only thing that fires up more allegiance on game day than the teams on the screen is your chosen type of barbecue. Whether you prefer tomato or vinegar, spicy or sweet, or your own meatless variety, Western North Carolina has a barbecue joint for you. […]