#frasers-ridge

#frasers-ridge

"There's so much more to Burnsville than meets the eye. We've got live theater, a planetarium and observatory, a history museum, and one of the largest populations of working artists in the country. When I say there's literally something for everyone here, I'm serious."

The New River Gorge's moist, shaded forests are an ideal habitat for flowers that color the hillsides in April and early May, making it an excellent time to see the gorge in bloom.

"Stretches of the float feel quite secluded and peaceful, while others pass parks and restaurants. I like the connection-it's always good to be reminded of the wild in the urban."

Dix Park is a sprawling urban park on the grounds of a former psychiatric hospital with a new installation of giant trolls by the Danish sculpture artist Thomas Dambo and an 18.5-acre adventure playground with multistory climbing towers, corkscrew slides and a sensory maze.

"For the first time, we can truly see how popular and meaningful the Appalachian Trail and its landscape are to millions of people," says Cinda Waldbuesser, president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, in an official March 2026 statement.

Every town in the Southeast might be historic and charming, but there's something about Sylva's character and people that keeps visitors coming back. This is the kind of place where outdoor adventure is minutes from downtown and where names and stories are still known. We've long said Sylva is 'in the middle of the most,' and that still holds true today.

After skiing every open blue run and black diamond at Appalachian Ski Mountain in about 20 minutes, my thoughts were that it isn't a ski area for everyone. If you're accustomed to long, wide groomers that wind for miles or resorts known for their powder, vertical drop, and off-piste terrain, you're not going to be impressed with what this historic hill has to offer. But by the end of the morning, my perspective shifted.

Abingdon is easy to access just off Interstate 81. This little town has many charms-from its 20-block historic district to the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. Add to that a thriving creative community, exceptional dining at The Tavern (the state's oldest bar), and homey accommodations, and you have a pretty darn close to perfect Blue Ridge Mountain getaway destination.

Huge news for southern skiers and snowboarders, as Alabama's one and only ski area is open tonight, January 27th, from 6pm-10pm. Cloudmont Ski Resort offers skiing and snowboarding accessed by a single rope tow. It's extremely condition dependent, often opening for only a handful of days every winter. This winter's first day for Cloudmont was back on January 18th, and they were open for 5 days between then and January 22nd.

Vermont actually resembles California - not because of its beaches but due to its distinct regions. For example, Burlington correlates to the Bay Area. And in the Northeast Kingdom, where I grew up, we classified everything below White River Junction as 'Southern Vermont.' Down there, half the towns seem to channel Boston or New York City, kind of like Santa Barbara to L.A., which makes the Kingdom something like Humboldt County - rural and spectacular, with a recalcitrant outlaw streak.

"Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is closely tied to the Appalachian Trail, and became the first designated Appalachian Trail Community in 2010, welcoming travelers with open arms."

Mount Airy isn't trying to be everywhere else-and that's exactly why it stands out. It offers a true sense of place, rooted in tradition but evolving with purpose, where the pace slows down just enough to remind you what travel is supposed to feel like.

In many ways, western North Carolina destinations-like Asheville, Highlands, Hot Springs, and Waynesville, to name just a few-are quite similar. There's typically a genuine appreciation of art, music, food, and craft beer, and life tends to revolve around the great outdoors. And why shouldn't it? The Appalachian Mountains have created a lush, green paradise in this region, complete with stunning views, amazing hikes, and plenty of fresh air.

I've lived just outside Greenville, South Carolina, for the past 11 years and can't imagine calling anywhere else home. Named one of "The South's Best Cities in 2025" by Southern Living and one of "Readers' 15 Favorite Cities in the US of 2025" by Travel + Leisure, it's easy to see why the city has seemingly exploded in popularity. Here are six of my favorite things to do in and around Greenville.

Nashville may be known as the 'Music City,' but it was Knoxville where several artists, including a young Dolly Parton, actually cut their teeth. The city has a self-guided tour to give you important intel on the music industry and a lay of the land for your trip.

When the weather warms up and the late winter rains turn trees green and fields into wildflower wonderlands, it's the perfect time to take a drive. Whether your preferred landscape is mountains, deserts, forests, plains, or coastal views, there's a spring road trip in the United States for you. Explore historic sites, regional food, wineries, or nature-all from the front seat.

Despite being the oldest UK national park, the best walks in the Peak District 's moody moors and rocky tors have flown under the radar for the mostpart, but recently TikTok's adventurers have been spreading the word. Try to visit Winnat's Pass and the other social media stars on a weekday to avoid adding to the crowds, then spend your weekend exploring properly: if you're not in walking boots, you're doing it wrong.