Press Releases
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Raleigh, NC (Apr. 23, 2008) Who are we kidding? Adventures abound in North Carolina, whether it be on water, in the mountains or up in the sky. But here are some you shouldn’t miss, especially when the skies are so blue, the leaves golden and the air fresh and crisp.
For more specific information on the listings below, search using keywords on VisitNC.com.
1. Marlin Fishing
Women, grab your reels. The Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament, a part of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament (for both men and women), will test your fishing prowess while trying to hook (and release) one of the mighty marlin.
The fishing fest, held each June in Morehead City, gives women anglers a chance to vie for a $15,000-plus purse.
2. Hot-Air Balloon Tours
The ground falls away in a slow whoosh as super-heated air rushes into the balloon above your head. Your stomach seems to lurch upward, but soon enough you are in awe, scanning the horizon. Central North Carolina’s green fields and pastures, cut by streams and rivers, are a lush diorama below. You can even plan to land at a winery.
Multiple hot air balloon companies soar above our natural scenic beauty. Full listings are available at VisitNC.com under keyword search “hot air balloon.”
Watch a nationally recognized in Statesville on mass ascension at the Carolina Balloonfest on October 24-26. www.carolinaballoonfest.com.
3. Rock Climbing
One of the best, and most famous climbs in the country is the 500-foot-high Looking Glass Rock, located north of Brevard. The bulbous arc of exposed granite, known as “the Nose,” is Looking Glass’ signature feature, with routes to challenge recreational to experienced climbers. It offers incredible views of the Pisgah National Forest when you have a moment to relax, that is.
4. Dude Ranches
Sitting astride a horse near the crest of Fie Top Mountain, you know exactly how Tom and Judy Alexander felt 75 years ago when they founded the 1,000-acre Cataloochee Ranch. At 5,000 feet, there is still a pleasant morning nip in the air as you gaze across neighboring peaks and valleys partially submerged in a gray mist that makes the name, the Great Smoky Mountains, perfectly appropriate. Later, you’ll sit in a rocker on the lodge’s wide porch until the smell of grilled New York strip steaks reminds you this day is real, not a dream.
5. Whitewater Rafting/Kayaking/Canoeing
The water is running quick and cool on the Nantahala River, one of the state’s signature waterways, and you can feel the breeze coming off its surface. Just raucous enough to hold your attention, the river’s pace allows you time to drink in the beauty of the cliffs rising up on either side. Check in with the Nantahala Outdoor Center just outside of Bryson City to find the perfect guide. Other outfitters do a nice job, too. For more listings, go to VisitNC.com.
6. Kite Boarding on the Coast
This is way beyond what the Wright Brothers could have imagined and one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. It is a combination of surfing while tethered to a wind-driven kite 50 feet up in the air. You can either slalom the water’s surface indefinitely or, with some training, use waves to help launch your body 20 to 40 feet in the air for several seconds. Relax. You will come back down.
7. Hiking/Biking Trails
Much of the Linville Gorge is so rugged that loggers bypassed it a century ago. What remains is some of the best stands of remnant uncut forest in the southern Appalachians. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your mountain bike to tackle the lung-burning, thigh-cramping 49-mile Linville Gorge Loop. Or you can opt for the more moderate 8.2-mile Wiseman’s View Ride. Linville Gorge is truly stunning when fall color is at its peak.
8. Blue Ridge Parkway
At milepost 238 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the northwest part of the state, the Brinegar cabin and farmstead are preserved from 1880. A plot containing tomatoes, squash and flax is still cultivated, and weaving demonstrations are conducted during the summer. Standing near the garden, peering into a seemingly endless valley below, you don’t want to leave. Eventually, you do move on, comforted by the fact that there are 250 more gorgeous parkway miles in the state – and each one comes with a story and a view. Be sure to visit the new environmentally friendly Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center near Asheville—a 12,800-square-foot facility, built to the latest energy-saving standards, with a 70-seat auditorium with a high-definition film and classroom space for groups.
9. Red Wolf Howling Safari
Smaller than a timber wolf but larger than a coyote, the endangered red wolf is rarely seen. But during regular Red Wolf Howling Safaris at the 152,000-acre Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, visitors often hear them. The safari’s leader tilts her head to the sky and lets out a long “ah-roooooo.” We wait for what seems like minutes, then a clear, similar but very much more wild-sounding howl comes back to us. In North Carolina, the red wolf is still with us.
10. Hang Gliding at Kitty Hawk
You are standing atop a sand dune at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, not far from the historic Kitty Hawk site. A 65-pound-plus set of sheer wings that feels remarkably light is harnessed to support points on your chest and lower back. With lots of excitement and some trepidation, you start to motor, and within 20 yards, you find that your legs are churning in nothing but air. The wind is in your face, and the sea is in the distance. Between exhilarated gasps, you ask if another turn is possible.
When you finish touring the previous ten, we have 40 more suggestions for the rest of the year!
1. Canoe or kayak the Roanoke River Paddle Trail amid 30,000 acres of protected lands.
2. Ride a motorcycle on “The Tail of the Dragon” near Robbinsville… 318 turns in 11 miles!
3. Tell people you actually climbed Pilot Mountain (Mount Pilot of Mayberry fame) near Winston-Salem.
4. Kayak or raft the Nolichucky River (near Asheville), which cuts through the deepest gorge in the southeastern United States.
5. Visit Qualla Boundary, the ancestral home of the Cherokee Indians in Cherokee.
6. Marvel at the multiple species of carnivorous plants at the 50,000-acre Holly Shelter Game Lands near Wrightsville Beach.
7. Hike, bike or paddle the Great Dismal Swamp, a 107,000-acre wildlife refuge (in northeastern North Carolina).
8. Climb the 268 stairs of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, perhaps the most famous in the United States.
9. Walk the beach near the Cape Lookout Lighthouse on South Core Banks Island.
10. Shell-hunt on Ocracoke Island. There’s better chance you’ll come across the prized Scotch Bonnet, the state’s official seashell, especially if you explore around North Point.
11. Take a dreamy canoe, kayak or inner-tube trip down the Dan River in Rockingham County (north of Greensboro, on the state line in central N.C.).
12. See some of the best fall color around in the Uwharrie National Forest in the south central part of the state. These mountains are believed to be the oldest in North America.
13. Fish for trout in the streams of Stone Mountain State Park near North Wilkesboro.
14. Get soaked at Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park at Greensboro.
15. Kayak, raft, climb, run or bike at the U.S. National Whitewater Center just outside Charlotte. (Tip: On April 25-27, 2008, the Whitewater Center hosts the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Slalom Canoe/Kayak.)
16. Stroll Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont (just west of Charlotte).
17. Visit the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site to learn more about the Freedman’s Colony that was established on Roanoke Island. Former slaves lived free here prior to emancipation.
18. Participate in the annual Cycle North Carolina Bike Ride that crosses the state each fall.
19. Canoe the New River, the oldest river in the United States (northwestern N.C.).
20. Golf in the shadow of legends at Pinehurst.
21. Bird-watch along one of our trails. www.ncbirdingtrail.org
22. Climb Chimney Rock – soon to be part of a North Carolina state park.
23. Cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain near Boone.
24. Climb to the state’s highest point (or take some neat trails just below it) at Mount Mitchell State Park (northeast of Asheville).
25. Take your RV to Jordan Lake, where RVs go to meet (south of Chapel Hill).
26. Rent a pontoon boat at Lake Norman with friends (almost an hour north of Charlotte).
27. Be brave and take a ride in a jet boat on scenic Lake Fontana (west of Cherokee).
28. Hurtle down Sliding Rock (in the Pisgah National Forest just north of Brevard), a natural 60-foot rock slide with a pool at the bottom.
29. Sit under the stars and enjoy one of North Carolina’s outdoor dramas.
30. Go the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. Bring your sunscreen and plenty of cash for the midway.
31. Ski North Carolina’s mountains. www.skinc.com
32. Dive the state’s interesting shipwrecks off the Outer Banks.
33. Clog outdoors on a starry summer night at Asheville’s Belle Chere Festival in July.
34. Take your lawn chair or a blanket to one of the outdoor concerts at one of the state’s 70-plus wineries. Most concerts happen in fall, but you’ll enjoy the Christmas activities, too.
35. Visit the outdoor wine festival known as Salute! In downtown Winston-Salem. The event is held each May, usually on the Saturday before Mother’s Day.
36. Visit the North Carolina Zoo at Asheboro (south of Greensboro), one of the first natural habitat zoos in the country and still one of the best. See the new Watani Grasslands Reserve which opened in April, 2008.
37. Hike and camp on the North Carolina section of the Appalachian Trail.
38. Attend exciting Queen’s Cup Steeplechase in Charlotte, the last Saturday in April each year. www.queenscup.org
39. Dine on blue crabs or go after some yourself in Washington (southeast of Greenville), the state’s leading commercial fishing port and home of the North Carolina Estuarium.
40. Play hide-and-seek in the Nasher Sculpture Garden in Durham (The Nasher Art Museum). This year, see the historic El Greco exhibit, August through November.
For more adventure ideas, visit www.visitnc.com/what_to_do_outdoor.asp
For access to images, visit www.ncpix.com, or call 704-364-8969 for urgent, immediate needs.
Get up-to-date news on travel events, view news from statewide partners and download indepth releases under “Featured News” at our press room. Our news churns every week; check out our RSS feeds:
Natural scenic beauty, adventure and relaxation, a dining experience for every taste, rich history and warm Southern hospitality come together in North Carolina. Call 1-800-VISIT NC or go to www.VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.
###
CONTACT:
Susan Dosier
(704) 364-8969 mobile
sdosier@visitnc.com
10 Fall Experiences You Gotta Have in North Carolina
Raleigh, NC (Apr. 23, 2008) Who are we kidding? Adventures abound in North Carolina, whether it be on water, in the mountains or up in the sky. But here are some you shouldn’t miss, especially when the skies are so blue, the leaves golden and the air fresh and crisp.For more specific information on the listings below, search using keywords on VisitNC.com.
1. Marlin Fishing
Women, grab your reels. The Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament, a part of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament (for both men and women), will test your fishing prowess while trying to hook (and release) one of the mighty marlin.
The fishing fest, held each June in Morehead City, gives women anglers a chance to vie for a $15,000-plus purse.
2. Hot-Air Balloon Tours
The ground falls away in a slow whoosh as super-heated air rushes into the balloon above your head. Your stomach seems to lurch upward, but soon enough you are in awe, scanning the horizon. Central North Carolina’s green fields and pastures, cut by streams and rivers, are a lush diorama below. You can even plan to land at a winery.
Multiple hot air balloon companies soar above our natural scenic beauty. Full listings are available at VisitNC.com under keyword search “hot air balloon.”
Watch a nationally recognized in Statesville on mass ascension at the Carolina Balloonfest on October 24-26. www.carolinaballoonfest.com.
3. Rock Climbing
One of the best, and most famous climbs in the country is the 500-foot-high Looking Glass Rock, located north of Brevard. The bulbous arc of exposed granite, known as “the Nose,” is Looking Glass’ signature feature, with routes to challenge recreational to experienced climbers. It offers incredible views of the Pisgah National Forest when you have a moment to relax, that is.
4. Dude Ranches
Sitting astride a horse near the crest of Fie Top Mountain, you know exactly how Tom and Judy Alexander felt 75 years ago when they founded the 1,000-acre Cataloochee Ranch. At 5,000 feet, there is still a pleasant morning nip in the air as you gaze across neighboring peaks and valleys partially submerged in a gray mist that makes the name, the Great Smoky Mountains, perfectly appropriate. Later, you’ll sit in a rocker on the lodge’s wide porch until the smell of grilled New York strip steaks reminds you this day is real, not a dream.
5. Whitewater Rafting/Kayaking/Canoeing
The water is running quick and cool on the Nantahala River, one of the state’s signature waterways, and you can feel the breeze coming off its surface. Just raucous enough to hold your attention, the river’s pace allows you time to drink in the beauty of the cliffs rising up on either side. Check in with the Nantahala Outdoor Center just outside of Bryson City to find the perfect guide. Other outfitters do a nice job, too. For more listings, go to VisitNC.com.
6. Kite Boarding on the Coast
This is way beyond what the Wright Brothers could have imagined and one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. It is a combination of surfing while tethered to a wind-driven kite 50 feet up in the air. You can either slalom the water’s surface indefinitely or, with some training, use waves to help launch your body 20 to 40 feet in the air for several seconds. Relax. You will come back down.
7. Hiking/Biking Trails
Much of the Linville Gorge is so rugged that loggers bypassed it a century ago. What remains is some of the best stands of remnant uncut forest in the southern Appalachians. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your mountain bike to tackle the lung-burning, thigh-cramping 49-mile Linville Gorge Loop. Or you can opt for the more moderate 8.2-mile Wiseman’s View Ride. Linville Gorge is truly stunning when fall color is at its peak.
8. Blue Ridge Parkway
At milepost 238 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the northwest part of the state, the Brinegar cabin and farmstead are preserved from 1880. A plot containing tomatoes, squash and flax is still cultivated, and weaving demonstrations are conducted during the summer. Standing near the garden, peering into a seemingly endless valley below, you don’t want to leave. Eventually, you do move on, comforted by the fact that there are 250 more gorgeous parkway miles in the state – and each one comes with a story and a view. Be sure to visit the new environmentally friendly Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center near Asheville—a 12,800-square-foot facility, built to the latest energy-saving standards, with a 70-seat auditorium with a high-definition film and classroom space for groups.
9. Red Wolf Howling Safari
Smaller than a timber wolf but larger than a coyote, the endangered red wolf is rarely seen. But during regular Red Wolf Howling Safaris at the 152,000-acre Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, visitors often hear them. The safari’s leader tilts her head to the sky and lets out a long “ah-roooooo.” We wait for what seems like minutes, then a clear, similar but very much more wild-sounding howl comes back to us. In North Carolina, the red wolf is still with us.
10. Hang Gliding at Kitty Hawk
You are standing atop a sand dune at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, not far from the historic Kitty Hawk site. A 65-pound-plus set of sheer wings that feels remarkably light is harnessed to support points on your chest and lower back. With lots of excitement and some trepidation, you start to motor, and within 20 yards, you find that your legs are churning in nothing but air. The wind is in your face, and the sea is in the distance. Between exhilarated gasps, you ask if another turn is possible.
When you finish touring the previous ten, we have 40 more suggestions for the rest of the year!
1. Canoe or kayak the Roanoke River Paddle Trail amid 30,000 acres of protected lands.
2. Ride a motorcycle on “The Tail of the Dragon” near Robbinsville… 318 turns in 11 miles!
3. Tell people you actually climbed Pilot Mountain (Mount Pilot of Mayberry fame) near Winston-Salem.
4. Kayak or raft the Nolichucky River (near Asheville), which cuts through the deepest gorge in the southeastern United States.
5. Visit Qualla Boundary, the ancestral home of the Cherokee Indians in Cherokee.
6. Marvel at the multiple species of carnivorous plants at the 50,000-acre Holly Shelter Game Lands near Wrightsville Beach.
7. Hike, bike or paddle the Great Dismal Swamp, a 107,000-acre wildlife refuge (in northeastern North Carolina).
8. Climb the 268 stairs of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, perhaps the most famous in the United States.
9. Walk the beach near the Cape Lookout Lighthouse on South Core Banks Island.
10. Shell-hunt on Ocracoke Island. There’s better chance you’ll come across the prized Scotch Bonnet, the state’s official seashell, especially if you explore around North Point.
11. Take a dreamy canoe, kayak or inner-tube trip down the Dan River in Rockingham County (north of Greensboro, on the state line in central N.C.).
12. See some of the best fall color around in the Uwharrie National Forest in the south central part of the state. These mountains are believed to be the oldest in North America.
13. Fish for trout in the streams of Stone Mountain State Park near North Wilkesboro.
14. Get soaked at Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park at Greensboro.
15. Kayak, raft, climb, run or bike at the U.S. National Whitewater Center just outside Charlotte. (Tip: On April 25-27, 2008, the Whitewater Center hosts the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Slalom Canoe/Kayak.)
16. Stroll Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont (just west of Charlotte).
17. Visit the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site to learn more about the Freedman’s Colony that was established on Roanoke Island. Former slaves lived free here prior to emancipation.
18. Participate in the annual Cycle North Carolina Bike Ride that crosses the state each fall.
19. Canoe the New River, the oldest river in the United States (northwestern N.C.).
20. Golf in the shadow of legends at Pinehurst.
21. Bird-watch along one of our trails. www.ncbirdingtrail.org
22. Climb Chimney Rock – soon to be part of a North Carolina state park.
23. Cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain near Boone.
24. Climb to the state’s highest point (or take some neat trails just below it) at Mount Mitchell State Park (northeast of Asheville).
25. Take your RV to Jordan Lake, where RVs go to meet (south of Chapel Hill).
26. Rent a pontoon boat at Lake Norman with friends (almost an hour north of Charlotte).
27. Be brave and take a ride in a jet boat on scenic Lake Fontana (west of Cherokee).
28. Hurtle down Sliding Rock (in the Pisgah National Forest just north of Brevard), a natural 60-foot rock slide with a pool at the bottom.
29. Sit under the stars and enjoy one of North Carolina’s outdoor dramas.
30. Go the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. Bring your sunscreen and plenty of cash for the midway.
31. Ski North Carolina’s mountains. www.skinc.com
32. Dive the state’s interesting shipwrecks off the Outer Banks.
33. Clog outdoors on a starry summer night at Asheville’s Belle Chere Festival in July.
34. Take your lawn chair or a blanket to one of the outdoor concerts at one of the state’s 70-plus wineries. Most concerts happen in fall, but you’ll enjoy the Christmas activities, too.
35. Visit the outdoor wine festival known as Salute! In downtown Winston-Salem. The event is held each May, usually on the Saturday before Mother’s Day.
36. Visit the North Carolina Zoo at Asheboro (south of Greensboro), one of the first natural habitat zoos in the country and still one of the best. See the new Watani Grasslands Reserve which opened in April, 2008.
37. Hike and camp on the North Carolina section of the Appalachian Trail.
38. Attend exciting Queen’s Cup Steeplechase in Charlotte, the last Saturday in April each year. www.queenscup.org
39. Dine on blue crabs or go after some yourself in Washington (southeast of Greenville), the state’s leading commercial fishing port and home of the North Carolina Estuarium.
40. Play hide-and-seek in the Nasher Sculpture Garden in Durham (The Nasher Art Museum). This year, see the historic El Greco exhibit, August through November.
For more adventure ideas, visit www.visitnc.com/what_to_do_outdoor.asp
For access to images, visit www.ncpix.com, or call 704-364-8969 for urgent, immediate needs.
Get up-to-date news on travel events, view news from statewide partners and download indepth releases under “Featured News” at our press room. Our news churns every week; check out our RSS feeds:
Natural scenic beauty, adventure and relaxation, a dining experience for every taste, rich history and warm Southern hospitality come together in North Carolina. Call 1-800-VISIT NC or go to www.VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.
CONTACT:
Susan Dosier
(704) 364-8969 mobile
sdosier@visitnc.com
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