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Savor country living by picking your own apples or letting others do the prep work as you enjoy a meal created with local ingredients. Or to fully reconnect with the rhythms of nature and your food, spend the weekend on a working farm.
Sweet Picks
Pluck fruit from a plant grown on land farmed by the same family for generations. It will taste sweeter now that you’re a part of the story.
1 John C. Campbell Folk School
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1 John C. Campbell Folk School
BrasstownSee on map
It’s one thing to enjoy farm-to-table dining, but it's a whole different experience to harvest vegetables and herbs to make incredible homemade meals yourself. At John C. Campbell Folk School in Cherokee County, you can learn a new trade – like cooking or gardening – in a non-competitive setting while sparking self-discovery and embracing life through education. With interests ranging from floral arranging to cheese-making, classes are adults-only and open to all skill levels. Rather leave meal prep to the pros? The Crown, down the street from the Folk School, is a locally owned gem sporting a totally gluten-free menu, craft cocktails, mountain views, and immaculate vibes courtesy of string lights and a fire pit.
2 Johnny Wilson Farm
2 Johnny Wilson Farm
Granite FallsSee on mapMake a quick stop here to purchase beef, pork, eggs and produce. Or spend an entire fall afternoon picking pumpkins, petting farm animals and navigating the corn maze.
3 Mike's Farm
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3 Mike's Farm
BeulavilleSee on mapYou’ll find year-round fun at Mike’s, but excitement overflows during the holiday season. After a filling meal of fried chicken and rich desserts at the family-style restaurant, take an enchanting hayride through a wonderland of festive lights.
4 The Orchard at Altapass
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4 The Orchard at Altapass
Spruce PineSee on mapWhile traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, veer off at Milepost 328 to find this orchard dedicated to preserving Appalachian culture. It grows more than 20 varieties of heirloom apples, hosts live music on weekends, sells local products in its general store and offers “heyrides.”
5 Deal Orchards
5 Deal Orchards
TaylorsvilleSee on mapAt the foot of the Brushy Mountains, this third-generation farm sells apples, honey, molasses, stone-ground cornmeal and much more seasonal produce from its roadside market.
6 Sky Top Orchard
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6 Sky Top Orchard
Flat RockSee on mapThis family-run orchard welcomes dogs to the apple-picking adventure, typically August through November. Follow the Paw Path to picnic and playground areas – and don’t forget to try the famous apple cider donuts.
7 Lineberger’s Maple Springs Farm
7 Lineberger’s Maple Springs Farm
DallasSee on mapStrawberries star each spring at Lineberger’s, U-pick blackberries follow in summer while muscadine grapes ripen in the fall. Seasonal flowers and pumpkins add to the beauty.
8 Marie’s Lavender Farm
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8 Marie’s Lavender Farm
RobbinsvilleSee on mapLooking for another kind of sweet pick? Head to Marie’s Lavender Farm, where you can cut your own lavender and explore a gift shop filled with handcrafted lavender products and local crafts. Open daily April through October, be sure to check availability before you visit and dip your feet in the nearby refreshing Yellow Creek. Posing for photos is encouraged.
Farm-to-Table Dining
Produce picked from surrounding fields and seafood harvested from local waters shine in upscale presentations at these North Carolina restaurants.
9 On the Square
9 On the Square
TarboroSee on mapGo casual for lunch with a house-made pimento cheese sandwich alongside a cup of cream of tomato soup. Or opt for an elevated (but not stuffy) dinner. Enjoy fresh fish, lamb or beef paired with a glass of wine by the husband-and-wife team of Inez and Stephen Ribustello, who both double as sommeliers. Sushi also stars on Wednesday nights.
10 The Country Squire Restaurant, Inn & Winery
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10 The Country Squire Restaurant, Inn & Winery
WarsawSee on mapSince 1961, this log cabin restaurant set amid towering pines has left diners supremely satisfied. Seasonal local produce joins forces with the popular Korean beef and prime rib. Salad dressings are made on-site, and slices of pie make for a sweet finish. The restaurant also grows grapes for some of its wines.
Peaceful Nights
Crickets and whip-poor-wills compose nature’s soundtrack at these rural retreats where open spaces encourage your mind and body to wander.
11 Inn on Mill Creek
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11 Inn on Mill Creek
Old FortSee on mapThe pleasures outside this mountain inn – songbirds, rhododendron forests and a boardwalk over wetlands – are as alluring as the treasures inside: five distinct guest rooms with private bathrooms, plus scratch-made breakfasts served in the solarium.
12 Springfield Bed & Breakfast
12 Springfield Bed & Breakfast
HertfordSee on mapIf you grew up spending summers at your grandparents’ place in the country (or always dreamed of doing so), a stay at this Century Farm recalls those carefree days. Sit on the porch beneath soaring pecan trees and watch cows graze.
13 Juneberry Ridge
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13 Juneberry Ridge
NorwoodSee on mapSet in the peaceful Piedmont countryside, this farm-turned-escape brings you closer to nature with cozy cabins and creative farm-to-table experiences. With North Carolina’s largest residential renewable energy system on-site, you'll leave feeling refreshed, recharged and deeply at peace. Want to take your relaxation up a notch? Try forest bathing – it's like a spa day, but with trees!
Explore more rural gems – and plenty of urban getaway ideas too – in The Official 2025 North Carolina Travel Guide.
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