Fun Travels Across the United States
NORTH CAROLINA
NEWS (Note: Cities and Towns Follow After the NEWS
Events
Catch a heart-pounding performance of the Durham-based Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble (www.africanamericandanceensemble.org), and you might be fooled into thinking you’ve been transported to the heart of Africa. The rhythmic beating drums, vivid costumes and bold, unabashed dance movements combine to create a captivating presentation.
In Greensboro, the Walkway of History (www.downtowngreensboro.net/poi.html) notes six landmarks in local black history, while the new 33,000-square-foot International Civil Rights Center & Museum is nearing completion downtown (www.sitinmovement.org).
Along the North Carolina coast are Airlie Gardens in Wilmington (www.airliegardens.org) and The Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony in Manteo (www.roanokefreedmenscolony.com). Airlie Gardens showcases the work of Minnie Evans, who is considered one of America’s most important visionary artists, as well as sculptures and mosaics by local artists. The Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony is rich in Civil War history and became home to thousands of freed slaves.
Additional attractions that celebrate black history include:
the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum in Sedalia between Greensboro and Burlignton (www.chbrownmuseum.nchistoricsites.org), the African American Atelier gallery in Greensboro (www.africanamericanatelier.org) and the Afro-American Cultural Center in Charlotte (www.aacc-charlotte.org).
History and heritage come together in North Carolina amidst natural scenic beauty. Come here for adventure and relaxation. Go to <VisitNC.com or call 1-800-VISIT NC to plan your next getaway.
OFFBEAT AND OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN NORTH CAROLINA
Ready to stray off the beaten path for something different, unique or downright weird? With gas prices high, you’ll enjoy exploring some of these slightly odd, interesting oddities hidden in North Carolina.
Belhaven Memorial Museum, Belhaven
(50 miles east of Greenville)
Think you’ve seen it all? One visit to the Belhaven Memorial Museum will surely change your mind. This museum is the result of Mrs. Eva Blount Way’s penchant for collecting buttons. When she died in 1962 at age 93, Mrs. Way had amassed some 30,000 buttons in addition to a fascinating array of memorabilia. Among the collection are period clothing, toys and dolls, china, farm tools and some truly “odds” and ends such as a dried flea wedding (visible through a magnifying glass), a two-headed kitten, one-eyed fetal pig and a hare lipped dog. www.beaufort-county.com/Belhaven/museum/(252) 943-6817
The Gourd Museum, Angier
(20 miles south of Raleigh)
Marvin Johnson, long-time president of the Gourd Village Garden Club, founded the Gourd Museum in 1964. He and his wife collected so many gourd crafts from around the world that they decided to build a museum to display them. A master gourd grower, Johnson cultivated more than 200 different kinds of gourds, most of which he crafted and placed on display. Visitors will find giant African gourds and gourds so tiny they look like robins’ eggs. (919) 781-7069
Museum of the Alphabet, Waxhaw
(just south of Charlotte in Union County)
The Museum of the Alphabet fills a small building with various depictions of the world’s alphabets. Exhibits include languages dating from early Egyptian to Turkish, Russian and Greek, to name a few. Many of the displays are hand-painted with amazing attention to detail. www.jaars.org/museum/alphabet/index.htm (704) 843-6066
Whirligigs, near Wilson
(45 miles east of Raleigh)
Located in Wilson County is an amazing collection of “Whirligigs” – large, wooden, wind-driven mechanical windmills – created by local folk artist Volis Simpson. The devices incorporate complex movement and sound and are an integral part of more than 30 works erected on Simpson’s property. His works have been exhibited in several museums, such as the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. He has also been featured in several publications, including Sign and Symbol, People and Time. Take advantage of great antiquing and barbecue while you’re there. www.wilson-nc.com/Whirligigs.cfm (252) 243-8440
Country Doctor Museum, Bailey
(35 miles east of Raleigh)
The Country Doctor Museum, founded in 1967, is the only medical museum in the nation dedicated to rural physicians who practiced medicine in the South during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum collects and preserves the medical instruments and tools of pharmacy used by country doctors as well as their diaries, papers and medical books. The museum is housed in two restored 19th-century physicians’ offices. www.countrydoctormuseum.org (252) 235-4165
Love Valley, Love Valley
(60 miles west of Winston-Salem)
If you love westerns, this is the place for you. In 1948, Mayor Andy Barker decided to start his own town in Iredell County’s Brushy Mountains. When you approach Lovevalley, you’ll think you are entering an authentic western town, complete with a dance hall and saloon, tack shop, general store and blacksmith. Cowboys and their horses roam the dirt streets. No vehicles are allowed, so saddle up and ride on in. www.lovevalley.com (704) 878-3480
Real-Life Mayberry, Mount Airy
(35 miles northwest of Winston-Salem)
Fans of the 1960s Andy Griffith Show get a taste of the life depicted in the popular television series when they visit Mount Airy, Griffith’s hometown and the inspiration for the series. Visitors are welcome to take a ride in Barney’s squad car and cruise by Andy’s childhood home and down Main Street past Floyd's Barbershop. The town has dedicated a bronze statue of Andy and TV son Opie, and there’s plenty more to see and do around this small town, from enjoying a pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch to sampling the wine and beer made by Old North State Winery. www.visitmayberry.com (336) 789-OPIE
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New Wineries Open; Music Concerts, Events Entice Visitors
Almost every North Carolinian now lives at least 100 miles from one of the states 70-plus wineries. New openings are so numerous, it’s hard to mention all of them. For complete listings and a map of the state’s wineries, upcoming events and more, go to www.VisitNCWine.com. We have a “What’s New in NC Wine” release in the works. Call us at 704-953-9408 if you need information immediately.
North Carolina offers arts and culture, unique lodging, charming small towns and vibrant urban locations. Explore the highest peaks east of the Mississippi and 300 miles of pristine coastline at www.VisitNC.com>VisitNC.com or call 1-800 VISIT NC (847-4862)
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Go Blue Ridge Card
Take advantage of the “Go Blue Ridge Card” multi-attraction pass featuring one-price admission to more than 20 attractions. The card can be purchased online or at the Asheville Visitor Center. www.goblueridgecard.com
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Follow the Trail of Creativity! New North Carolina Mountains Literary Trails Guide and Web site Features Travel Itineraries
The North Carolina Arts Council has created a Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains Guide that connects the lives and work of 170 of North Carolina’s visiting and native writers with destinations across the 25 counties of the state’s mountain region. The guide comprises 18 half-day and one-day tour itineraries that take travelers through the landscapes of Sequoyah, Thomas Wolfe and others. Stay where the writers stayed and eat at cafes that inspired their stories. 919-807-6520; www.ncliterarytrails.org
ASHEBORO
Watani Grasslands Reserve Opens at North Carolina Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro opened an $8.5 million expansion of its elephant and rhinoceros facilities called the Watani Grasslands Reserve. The project was developed in support of a nationwide effort by zoos to improve the captive care and breeding of both species. The zoo is the nation’s largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo. 800-488-0444; www.nczoo.org>www.nczoo.org
ASHVILLE
North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville -
The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden offering 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, a greenhouse complex and the finest bonsai collection in the Southeastern U.S. www.ncarboretum.org
Blue Ridge Parkway -- New Destination Center (near Asheville)
• This 12,800-square-foot, $9.8 million facility opened in April 2008 with exhibits highlighting the natural and cultural diversity and traditions and recreational opportunities found on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The center, built to the latest energy-saving standards, has a 70-seat auditorium with an HD film and classroom space for groups. The Federal Highway Administration recently named the Parkway an All-American Road.
BEAUFORT
North Carolina Maritime Museum
Treasure-seekers discover bountiful booty with a firsthand look at exhumed relics from Blackbeard's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge, from 24-pound colossal cannon balls and a small-shot brass blunderbuss barrel to a heavily-encrusted bronze bell and an extensive array of vessel anchors.
Old Burying Grounds
As one of the oldest cemeteries in North Carolina, the historic site offers ghostly pirate excursions where discoverers stumble upon quirky gravesites from a little girl buried in a rum keg to the cannon covered tomb of a privateer. Cloaked in centuries of old Live Oak trees, there is an air of mystery and sorrow wafting throughout the grounds.
Beaufort Historic Site
Treasure abounds in North Carolina's third-oldest town, with double-decker bus tours of the old jail, courthouse, apothecary, art gallery and Old Burying Ground, as well as Blackbeard's haunts and his home, the Hammock House, in his old stomping grounds.
Hammock House
Scavengers discover a carouser's life at Blackbeard's home in Beaufort boasting ghostly pirate legends leading back to the 1700's where visitors uncover the screams of an unruly, English woman Blackbeard hung on an oak tree outside the home.
BELMONT
Cool Off at the Orchid Conservatory, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont
The $12.5 million Orchid Conservatory opened in January and is the area’s only public conservatory devoted to the display of tropical plants. An 8,000-square-foot, five-story sparkling, crystalline structure, the Conservatory surrounds patrons in a lush environment of color, fragrance, sound and the world’s finest orchids and tropical plants. At least 200 orchids are always on display, and the conservatory’s computerized environmental system (worth a story on its own) keeps the temperature inside at least 10 degrees cooler than the temperature outdoors through the use of misters, fans, vents and sophisticated air return systems. 704-825-4490; www.dsbg.org
BOONE
Scream Time Zip Line Offers Thrill-Seeking Adventure
High speed adventure meets the High Country at the new Scream Time Zip Line, which opened a few miles northwest of Boone and features nine different zip lines. Scream Time provides the thrill of zipping 60 to 130 feet above the earth in a secure harness attached to an incline cable. The main tour consists of six lines ranging in length from 460 to 800 feet, where riders weave their way down the mountain. The 2,000-foot-long super zip has three parallel lines allowing people to race straight down the mountain at speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour. www.screamtimezipline.com Also, check out the Zip Line Tours on YouTube: www.youtube.com
CAPE LOOKOUT
Cape Lookout Lighthouse
After visitors encounter the pirate prodigies on the Crystal Coast, explorers unwind with a more relaxing expedition by taking a gentle ferry ride to the seashore to view the historic Cape Lookout Lighthouse where pirates once pillaged and buccaneer chronicles are revisited with activities including shelling, clamming and exploring the lighthouse on the island surrounded by the Atlantic shores once sailed by notorious pirates.
CHAPEL HILL
The Carolina Inn
Recognized as one of America's "cultural resources worthy of preservation," The Carolina Inn, located in the heart of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Carolina Inn is architecturally significant, blending elements of antebellum Southern plantation houses with Georgian and neoclassical features. www.carolinainn.com
CHARLOTTE
Come celebrate the taste of over 100 unique, diverse and flavorful wines from 13 Wineries!
Allison Oaks Vineyards, Beny Parsons, Black Wolf Vineyards, Cerminaro Vineyards, Cypress Bemd Vineyards, Dennis Vineyards Winery, J Wesley Vineyards, Woodmill Winery, Old North State Winery, RagApple Lassie Vineyards, Stoney Mountain Vineyards, Uwharrie Vineyards, Hinnant Family Vineyards.
For details check web site www.uncorkthefun.com
Admission
General Tasting Glass: $18 in advance or $20 On-site
includes unlimited wine sampling, all performances, cooking demonstrations and a souvenir wine glass.
$10 Designated Driver Ticket
Includes admission into the event only.
Group Tickets $16 (per ticket) for groups of 15 or more (must order by phone 800-830-3976)
Kids - 12 and Under are FREE!
New EpiCentre Energizes Downtown Charlotte Night Scene
This groundbreaking mixed-use development has launched phase one on Trade Street. Highlights include an open-air 25,000-square-foot rooftop bar called Pavilion (pavilionatepicentre.com) and the upscale, three-level bowling lounge called StrikeCity. The dueling piano bar, Howl at the Moon (www.howlatthemoon.com/charlotte_tonight.) and swanky dance club, Suite (www.suitecharlotte.com), now crank up the night scene. Superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently debuted a bar and live music venue called Whisky River (www.whiskyrivercharlotte.com) complete with a mechanical bull and belt buckle-trimmed bar.
DURHAM
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Fifty-five acres of landscaped and woodland gardens feature more than 2,000 kinds of plants, five miles of walks and pathways with bridges, courts, lawns, waterfalls, ponds and pavilions. Includes Blomquist Garden of Native Plants and Asiatic Arboretum.
FAYETTEVILLE
Fayetteville"s New Site Offers Self-Driving Trails
Fayetteville’s Convention and Visitors Bureau has created 10 packaged self-driving trails. The trails explore 10 themes including the Civil War, African-American Heritage, American Independence and Religious Freedom. Maps with detailed history, site descriptions and detailed site-to-site driving directions are available on the Cultural Heritage Trails section on the website. Visitors are also able to design custom trails including downloadable audio files. 800-255-8217; www.visitfayettevillenc.com
FORT MACON
Fort Macon
Built in the early 1800s in an attempt to thwart Blackbeard and other pirates that cruised the waterways off of the Crystal Coast, Fort Macon stands as a well-built monument with centuries of history. Ghosts of war veterans are said to haunt the fort to protect from attack.
GREENSBORO
The Proximity Hotel
Newly opened, this boutique hotel, according to owner Dennis Quaintance, “is arguably the greenest hotel in the United States.” The hotel has applied for five-star LEED certification. See how grace, beauty and sustainable travel and dining come together. Learn why the New York Times and Travel + Leisure are already talking about this new destination. www.proximityhotel.com/tour.htm
HIGHLANDS
Old Edwards Inn and Spa
Old Edwards Inn and Spa is located in the charming, historic mountain town of Highlands. The inn features world-class service that anticipates your every desire in a cozy yet elegant setting. www.oldedwardsinn.com
LINVILLE
Grandfather Mountain’s New Environmentally Friendly Fudge Shop Opens
Grandfather Mountain has launched many initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. One of the most apparent to visitors will be the new fudge shop, which is powered by solar energy... and almost "off the grid" in terms of traditional energy uses opened July 4th. Other efforts include an on site garden to produce food for animals kept onsite and educational sessions. For the complete list, contact Luke Appling at luke@grandfather.com and 828-737-0833.
OAK ISLAND
More soon!
OCRECOKE ISLAND
Named America's Best Beach, Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina takes the number one spot on Dr. Beach's annual America's Best Beaches list of 2007.
The island, embraced by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on North Carolina's Outer Banks, is known for its clean water, sand and unspoiled natural beauty. At 16 miles long and a half-mile wide, Ocracoke is a sun-swept wilderness, once a favorite haunt of Blackbeard the Pirate and the place where he met his demise.
Today also marks the first time a beach outside of Florida or Hawaii has been named to the top position on Dr. Beach's celebrated annual top-ten list."We are proud that Ocracoke Island has been recognized as the home of America's best beach," says North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley. "The unmatched beauty of our coast has for decades been a favorite of visitors who truly wish to get away - to relax among the quiet natural shorelines, explore the native wildlife, meet unique people and hear the compelling stories of the Outer Banks."
Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean surround Ocracoke Island; it is accessible only by water and air and sits 26 miles from the North Carolina mainland nestled against the Graveyard of the Atlantic (a coastal area famous for the many seagoing vessels that wrecked there years ago because it was difficult to navigate). The island's remote location invites visitors looking for a pristine place to swim, fish, surf and explore. No chain hotels exist on the island.
International beach expert Stephen Leatherman made the #1 designation. Known as "Dr. Beach," he is the nation's foremost authority on beach quality and ratings. He has gained international renown for his annual list of top-ten beaches in America, which he has released since 1991. More than 650 beaches throughout the United States are judged on a list of 50 criteria under four main areas: physical factors such as sand color and quality, and number and size of waves; biological factors such as color and condition of the water; presence of wildlife and pests; and human use and impacts such as lifeguard protection, far-reaching views and traffic.
The natural, untouched beauty of Ocracoke Island's sand, clear sunshine, good waves and clean water caught the attention of Dr. Beach years ago. Visitors have come for the same reasons. In addition, they want to see the Ocracoke Lighthouse, Banker pony herd and reign of Blackbeard:*
Ocracoke Lighthouse-
The second-oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. Completed in 1823, she stands 75-feet tall with a 25-foot diameter at the base and a gracefully tapered 12-foot top. The building is solid brick and was used by some residents as shelter during bad storms.
Banker Ponies-
In 1565, Sir Richard Grenville's ship Tiger ran aground on Ocracoke Island. Some speculate this may have been the origin of Ocracoke's famous Banker pony herd. The ponies were documented on Ocracoke since European settlers came to stay in the 1730s. In the late 1950s, Ocracoke Boy Scouts cared for the ponies and had the only mounted troop in the nation. By law, the free-roaming animals were penned in 1959 to prevent over-grazing and to safeguard them from traffic after Highway 12 was built in 1957.
Teach's Hole or Channel-
In the late 1700s, Blackbeard fought his last battle here. Legend has it his headless body swam around the boat three times before sinking to Davy Jones Locker.Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and can be accessed from the Lifeguarded Beach public parking area 1⁄4 mile north of Ramp 70 on N.C. Highway 12 just outside Ocracoke Village. It offers public parking, beach access, restrooms and changing areas. Lifeguards are on staff Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The length of lifeguarded beach varies with lifeguard availability. The Park Service recommends that swimmers stay within sight of manned lifeguard stands. Red warning flags are posted at lifeguarded beaches when swimming conditions are hazardous.
There's much more to see and explore around the island, including charter fishing, outstanding bird watching, camping, stories of Civil War and World War II ocean battles and more. Getting to Ocracoke Island is now easier; a new summer ferry schedule began May 22 and will last through Labor Day weekend. There will be four departures from both Swan Quarter on mainland Hyde County and Ocracoke Island versus the two departures that are in effect the remainder of the year.
Ferry service is also available from Cedar Island and Hatteras.Extensive information on Ocracoke Island's attractions, history and accommodations, the Outer Banks, and other North Carolina beaches is available at web site www.VisitNCcoast.com.
Local web sites such as www.ocracokevillage.com and www.hydecounty.org are also available.
Natural scenic beauty, 300 miles of barrier islands, relaxation, adventure and Southern hospitality come together in North Carolina.
Call 1-800-VISIT NC (1-800-847-4862) or go to www.VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.
On the Trail of Blackbeard
A new book by Kevin Duffus touts the idea that history’s most famous pirate, Blackbeard, was a native son of North Carolina. While historians debate just who Blackbeard was, visitors can retrace his steps at several sites in North Carolina. The book, The Last Days of Black Beard The Pirate discusses how he met his demise off Ocracoke Island and may be buried there (www.ocracokevillage.com). Blackbeard spent his final days near Bath negotiating for his freedom. Visitors to this historic city can walk the same paths and re-live the history in North Carolina’s oldest town www.originalwashington.com/attractions/bath.php.
Blackbeard’s Lodge -
Come sit on the porch swing and enjoy the island breeze at America’s Best Beach, Ocracoke Island. Relax in the warm and comfortable lobby where you’ll find a grand piano and a wood-burning stove from the 1800s. Each of Blackbeard’s Lodge’s 38 guest rooms, suites and apartments has its own distinct character. Find it in the heart of Ocracoke Village. www.blackbeardslodge.com
Pirates of the Crystal Coast of North Carolina -- The Real Pirate Deal.
Earning more than $200 million in the first two weeks, Pirates of the Caribbean -- At World's End has driven a pirate craze, which is now in full force across the nation -- but adventurer-seekers experience an authentic pirate haven at the Crystal Coast, North Carolina's Southern Outer Banks. Home of the most infamous pirate of them all, the Crystal Coast played host to Blackbeard and his swashbuckling crew in the 1700s. From exploring Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, for the first time in history and discovering how Blackbeard lived at the Hammock House to paddling kayaks in pirate-drenched waters and searching for hidden treasure at the haunted Fort Macon, bustling buccaneers embark on a journey that retraces Blackbeard's nefarious ways.
With an eccentric history steeped in swashbuckling pirate tales, romantic mysteries, deep-rooted maritime heritage and wartime triumphs and tragedies, adventurous families uncover memories of past pirate plunders on the Crystal Coast with activities including:
Dive Down Program
Implemented by the state of North Carolina, the aptly named program allows 1,500 recreational divers over the course of the next five years the chance, for the first time in history, to dive the remains of the infamous Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, acknowledged as one of the most important underwater archeological discoveries in the United States.
OUTER BANKS
First Flight Retreat in Outer Banks: First New Condos In 20 Years To Open
First Flight Retreat opened as the first new oceanfront condominiums on the Outer Banks in nearly 20 years. Enjoy the luxury finish and amenities of a rental house with all the services of a first class resort. The resort is centrally located right on the beach. 866-595-1893; www.FirstFlightRentals.com
Pirate Queen Paddling
Brave buckos board a kayak tour exploring the world of eco-diversity and thriving history of the pirate-drenched destination. Paddlers experience the area drifting on a guided tour through waters previously navigated by infamous buccaneers.
Dangling like a delicate strand of pearls off the coast of North Carolina, the favored Atlantic beach destination of generations represents one of the only remaining natural barrier island systems in the World. The Islands are strung together with 85 miles of silken coastline along the southern Outer Banks, 56 miles of which are in the protected Cape Lookout National Seashore. Miles of shimmering water reflects countless tiny suns during the day and shatters the moon into a thousand pieces at night. Lush maritime forests edge the silken coast like emerald jewels studding a royal crown. The barrier islands take a curious southward curve, blessing the Crystal Coast with beaches that course east and west making it possible to admire the dazzlingly bright sun rise to greet the day and then slip into the shimmering translucent blue waters in the evening during a spectacular North Carolina sunset.
For more information on Pirates of the Crystal Coast call (800) 786-6962 or visit www.crystalcoastnc.org.
Aqua S Restaurant and Spa, Duck
The first of its kind on the Outer Banks, Aqua S Restaurant and Spa features a posh dining spot and day spa under the same roof. Aqua S is located right on the water and offers organic cuisine and breathtaking scenery. 252-261-9709; www.aquasrestaurant.com
The Oasis Suites Are New at Nags Head
The Oasis Suites is the Outer Banks’ newest suite hotel. Located on the Causeway in Nags Head, this 17-room finely furnished property offers spectacular views, a swimming pool and proximity to many of the areas popular attractions and restaurants. 252-441-5211; www.oasissuites.com
PINEHURST
Landmark Carolina Hotel Gets Makeover, Pinehurst
More than 100 years after it was built, the grand Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst, once known once as the Queen of the South, is sporting a tiara-to-glass slipper makeover. An $8 million renovation of its guest rooms, as well as upgrades to the main dining room, the addition of a new Presidential Suite and more have made the resort new again without losing its Southern Belle charm. 800-487-4653; www.pinehurst.com/carolina_historic_hotel.asp
RAEFORD
Paraclete XP Skyventure -- World’s Largest Bodyflight Center Open for Summer, Raeford
Paraclete XP Skyventure opened in early 2008 in Raeford, NC (almost 2 hours south of Raleigh), featuring the innovative sport of bodyflight. Paraclete’s wind tunnel enables guests to fly in a controlled manner in the safety of a wall-to-wall airflow chamber. No experience is necessary and the sport is open to people of all ages and experience levels. Paraclete is one of the biggest vertical wind tunnels on the planet. Paraclete has high-definition video in the chamber for debriefing flight sessions and great take home movies. 910-495-3334; www.paracletexp.com
RALEIGH
The Raleigh Marriott City Center
The Raleigh Marriot City Center is the hotel headquarters for Raleigh's new Convention Center that opened in September 2008. This four-star quality hotel has 400 rooms, including 20 suites, and 15,000 square feet of space in 15 meeting rooms. Conveniently located near RDU International Airport and many Raleigh businesses and recreation, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the many things the Greater Raleigh area has to offer. 919-833-1120; www.Marriott.com/rduMC
YADKIN VALLEY
Napa Out, North Carolina Wine Is In!
Supermarket Guru®, Phil Lempert, said North Carolina is “the new Napa” in a segment on food trends on the "TODAY" show on March 27. Lempert cites Napa’s grape-growing industry as "out" due to global warming and climate issues.
The proclamation was part of segment on food trends which also cited garbanzo beans as the new edamame; bison as the new beef; grapeseed oil as the new olive oil; and Stevia as the new Splenda®.
North Carolina ranks 10th for wine and grape production in the United States and is home to more than 70 wineries; the number has tripled since 2001. In addition, a 2007 national survey sponsored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) in partnership with Gourmet magazine and the International Culinary Tourism Association (ICTA), cited North Carolina as one of the top five state destinations for wine and culinary tourism activities in the United States.
“We’re pleased to capture this national attention,” says Margo Metzger, Executive Director of the North Carolina Wine & Grape Council. “As a person who loves to drink wines from Napa as well as North Carolina, I hope Mr. Lempert’s predictions about global warming don’t come true. Here in North Carolina, we appreciate good wines, regardless of their place of origin.
“At the same time, we’re especially proud of the gains our winemakers are making with our product, and Mr. Lempert’s nod shows that we are making a name for ourselves. We’re very focused on the growth of the local food movement, and we believe we have a contribution to make….and a place at the table.”
The Lempert segment showed bottled wines from Childress Vineyards (www.childressvineyards.com) in Lexington, North Carolina. The winery is owned by NASCAR driver and racing team owner, Richard Childress.
Metzger notes that USA Today, The New York Times, and Southern Living have also tipped their hat to the travel experience offered by North Carolina’s ripe food scene and its wines.
Visitors to the state are likely to take note of the Yadkin Valley, North Carolina’s first federally recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA). It is located in northwestern North Carolina, home to more than 20 wineries and more than 400 acres devoted to vineyards. The North Carolina industry has two marketing focuses – native muscadine grapes and European-style vinifera grapes.
For more information about North Carolina’s thriving wineries, events and activities, go to www.VisitNCwine.com.
Free with general admission. The “glass house” is five stories tall and features orchids and tropical plants and includes the largest indoor display of bromeliads in the eastern U.S.