Connect with us

North Carolina

Bucket list road trip spots: 2 Western NC stops are must-sees, Southern Living says

Published

on

Bucket list road trip spots: 2 Western NC stops are must-sees, Southern Living says


play

  • Southern Living highlighted two Western North Carolina locations among its 25 best Southern road trip destinations.
  • Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest offers a unique natural waterslide experience for visitors.
  • Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge provides breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush at a high elevation.

With summer approaching fast, Southern Living named 25 road trip locations in the southern U.S. – including two right here in Western North Carolina.

Established in 1966, Southern Living aims to “celebrate the food, homes and places that define our region.” The magazine has recognized WNC locations plenty of times, including among a recent round of studies honoring the “South’s Best.”

Advertisement

On a list published May 24, 2025, of 12 “unforgettable” road trip stops, three locations in N.C. were honored – two of which were located in the western region of the state.

Here’s what Southern Living writers said about the N.C. stops that “every Southerner should see this summer.”

Bucket list road trip stops in North Carolina

The three suggestions Southern Living writers had for road trip stops in N.C. included Sliding Rock in Pisgah Forest, the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain and Wilson’s Whirligig Park.

Here’s what to know about the two WNC locations mentioned.

Sliding Rock, NC

Not for the first time, Pisgah National Forest made Southern Living’s list. This time, writers suggested a road trip stop at Sliding Rock, WNC’s natural water slide.

Advertisement

Sixty feet in length, transporting 11,000 gallons of cold, steadily flowing mountain water, Sliding Rock is the perfect stop for Blue Ridge Parkway road trippers looking to cool down and experience a unique regional staple.

For $5, visitors can join the sliding fun or watch from observation decks and nearby trails. Asheville’s tourism website ExploreAsheville.com suggests sliding between Memorial Day and Labor Day when lifeguards are on duty and bathrooms/changing rooms are open.

The same article suggests arriving early and avoiding busiest hours between noon-4 p.m.

Location: Near Brevard, Sliding Rock is on U.S. 276 about 7.5 miles north of the Pisgah Forest intersection of N.C. 280, U.S. 64 and U.S. 276.

Advertisement

Mile High Swinging Bridge

The other WNC option on Southern Living’s list was the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather mountain, which writers called a “must-stop.”

Admission prices vary seasonally, with children’s tickets for $12 and adult tickets generally between $22-$32. Stairs and elevators provide access to the bridge, which spans 228 feet across a deep chasm at 5,280 feet elevation. Sweeping mountain views – and plenty of adrenaline – can be found at this famous spot.

Location: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville

Advertisement

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.



Source link

North Carolina

NC Made cookie mix gives homemade taste with ingredients you feel good about

Published

on

NC Made cookie mix gives homemade taste with ingredients you feel good about


RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — This time of year, the to-do list is as long as Santa’s naughty/nice list, and you’re probably looking to save time any way you can.

So, sometimes that means ripping open a box of cookie mix. One Kernersville mom is hoping her mix will add more deliciousness and less mom guilt.

“I wanted something that tasted homemade. I wanted something that had really clean ingredients,” said Lindsay Hancock, My Better Batch.

And that’s where My Better Batch comes in.

Advertisement

“If you’ve ever gone to the grocery store and picked up a box or a bag off the shelf, the ingredients are not great. They’re not things you would find in your own kitchen pantry. That is actually what defines our product and that homemade taste is that these are things you can find in your own kitchen pantry,” Lindsay said.

I wanted something that tasted homemade.

Lindsay mixed up My Better Batch and shipped out her first order in April of 2024. Now you can buy the cookie mix at Costco, Lowes Foods, and Amazon. And this year, she even launched exclusive holiday flavors at Target-chocolate mint and holiday cheer.

“When you’re working on this day in and day out, you certainly have dreams of being able to get to the shelf, but it is pretty surreal to see. And the fact that we were able to get there so quickly,” Lindsay said.

Advertisement

A single mom and entrepreneur-mixing up holiday cheer for her family from her kitchen to yours.

“They taste homemade and they’re ingredients that you can feel good about feeding to your family,” Lindsay said.

See More NC Made Stories Here

Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

North Carolina

Research on animal nutrition at the North Carolina Zoo

Published

on

Research on animal nutrition at the North Carolina Zoo


ASHEBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — The North Carolina Zoo continuously collects data on its animals to make sure they are thriving in their environments. As a result, zoo researchers recently made some major changes to how and what they feed some animals.

FOX8’s Shannon Smith shares their findings in today’s Zoo Filez.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

North Carolina

Lee and Booker lead No. 2 Texas past No. 11 North Carolina 79-64 in ACC-SEC challenge :: WRALSportsFan.com

Published

on

Lee and Booker lead No. 2 Texas past No. 11 North Carolina 79-64 in ACC-SEC challenge :: WRALSportsFan.com


— AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jordan Lee scored a career-best 22 points, Madison Booker added 18 and No. 2 Texas beat No. 11 North Carolina 79-64 on Thursday night in the ACC-SEC challenge.

Texas (9-0) has won 31 straight home games, this one largely by outscoring North Carolina (8-2) 47-25 in the middle two quarters. Texas led by 24 late in the game.

Lee helped Texas pull away in the second half by stealing two passes and converting them into fast-break layups. Booker hit 10 of 11 free throws.

Advertisement

Kyla Oldacre had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Longhorns, and Justice Carlton scored 11 points. Rori Harmon had eight assists and three of Texas’ 11 steals.

Elina Aarnisalo led North Carolina with 17 points. Indya Nivar scored 16.

North Carolina outshot Texas 47% to 46%, but the Tar Heels committed 20 turnovers that the Longhorns turned into 24 points.

The Tar Heels came in averaging nine 3-pointers a game, but shot just 2 for 11 against Texas.

Texas has been without rotation players Aaliyah Crump (foot), Bryanna Preston (ankle) and Ashton Judd (knee) for its last four games. Judd has yet to appear in a game after transferring from Missouri.

Advertisement

The Longhorns had difficulty guarding North Carolina at the start of the game. The Tar Heels hit 10 of 13 from the field in the first quarter, outscoring the Longhorns 16-4 in the paint and taking a 21-16 lead.

The Longhorns pushed back in the second quarter with characteristic rugged defense while driving inside, getting to the free throw line and outscoring North Carolina 23-10. Oldacre scored 10.

Texas dominated the third quarter as well, 24-15, with Carlton scoring 10.

North Carolina hosts Boston University on Sunday. Texas hosts Prairie View A&M on Sunday.

___

Advertisement

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending