142 January the Destination Magazine

AN ENCHANTING GETAWAY AWAITS

Nestled in the Dupont Recreational Forest, Wag Valley is a 145-acre mountain haven for nature-lovers, thrill-seekers, event-goers, and soon-to-be brides and grooms. Our picturesque background, wandering trails, and beautiful waterfall make it the ideal destination to bike, hike, attend an event, get married, or just unwind for the weekend. So come and explore western North Carolina and experience nature with us!

Do You Think You Know

RETRO AIRSTREAM

Glamping?

The luxurious interior was refurbished with modern décor to make your stay comfy. It was created by riveting two 20-foot trailers together, then mounted onto a 50-foot flatcar for railroad service. You’ll find the Airstream nestled in a secluded field with scenic forest views. Book an exclusive getaway here and reconnect with nature.

Sleeps 2 people-Full kitchen and bathTowels and linens are provided-Access private trails-1-bedroom with a queen bed

FARMHOUSE

Beautifully renovated modern farmhouse. Sits in the middle of wag valley’s 145-acre farm. There is beauty surrounding the farmhouse all the way around. Sit back and relax on either the front deck or the back porch enjoying mother nature.

Sleeps 6 people-Full kitchen-Towels and linens are provided-Access private trails-2bedrooms with 2 queen beds-Loft area with 2 twin beds-2 full bathrooms

tions

-

orable

Lisa & Andy Jay Publishers

Published by: Magic Table Media Group LLC Business Development: Lisa Jay, Mariah McDowell, Sylvia Dalrymple Creative: Andy Jay

Contributing Writers: Craig Distl, Leah Hughes, Allison Andrews, Tory Mabe, Ed Phillips, Tara Martin, Lindsey Pegg, Lisa Jay Contributing Photographers: Ledgends Gallery, Paul Newton, Lisa Jay, Sam Dean Cover: Sunrise on Grandfather Mountain, Linville, NC

The list of events in this publication is compiled from various sources dates & times are tentative & subject to change. the Destination Magazine™ is published by Magic Table Media Group LLC 369 Dovefield Drive Summerfield, NC 27358 (704) 706-2365 www.theDestinationMagazine.com ©2023 All rights reserved. Magic Table Media Group LLC, Agents & Advertisers do not necessarily condone any activities or advertisement listed in this magazine. The Publisher and its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and sponsors are not responsible for any loss or damage which might be associated with patronage of any party named in this publication, and is not responsible for any Act of God such as inclement weather, fire, flood, natural or man-made disaster, etc., that are out of the control of the Publisher, which affect the publishing of this magazine.

“Quieter

Experience Stokes County In A New Season!

Adiverse region of artists, agriculture, charming general stores, local eateries, and scenic beauty, Stokes County, North Carolina is a gloriously good time in the wonderland of Mother Nature’s splendor. Find your escape from the everyday hustle and bustle by distancing yourself from the crowds for a little retail therapy or a heapin’ helpin of vittles and fixin’s at southern diners and longtime favorites like Hillbilly Hideaway. At this hidden gem in Pine Hall, bring a group to gather round the table for a Meat and Three. Waiters bring out a table full of casserole dishes and pans of meats, green beans, taters, creamed corn and more. Each table in this long standing restaurant is likened to the traditional southern dinner table at grandma’s house.

With cool temperatures comes ample outdoor recreation at Hanging Rock – a picturesque state park just waiting to be explored in a whole new season. Take a brisk winter hike up the park’s winding mountain paths and enjoy spectacular views of the area. On the coldest of days, the park’s five waterfalls – Window Falls, Hidden Falls, Tory’s Den Falls, Upper Cascades, and Lower Cascades – can be found frozen in time – a majestic and awe-inspiring sight.

Soar above the treetops all year round with Carolina Ziplines, offering thrilling zips with unparalleled views. From the Jessup Mill Public Fishing Area, residents and visitors cast their lines into the Dan River, in hopes of catching a stunner of a trout and at Harts Access and Public Fishing Area, a concrete ramp lead down to the Dan River for easy access.

The Arts Place of Stokes is the county’s cultural and entertainment center for visitors and locals, showcasing local and regional artisans and musicians through exhibits, and featuring a retail market. Listen to home-grown music as it sweeps through the hills and towns of Stokes County. And taste the flavors of the area with an expertly crafted brew from Midsummer Brewing Company in Westfield. Celebrate the most magical day of any lifetime with a private event at Moore Springs

Manor – Stokes County’s premier event venue.

Whether it’s escaping in the great white wonderland of a snow covered state park, having your breath taken away at the enchanting and magical sight of a frozen waterfall, or embracing the arts and crafts of the county’s quaint, charming, and always welcoming towns, Stokes County has everything you have been looking for in an ideal winter getaway.

The perfect mountain getaway, closer than you think. www.hangingrock.com

Hickory, NC is located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Under two hours from WinstonSalem and Greensboro, Hickory is a perfect getaway. Known for a heritage of furniture manufacturing and furniture shopping, the Hickory area has grown through the years to become a culinary hotspot. New diverse restaurants with authentic flavors and custom drinks are one of the many exciting things that will welcome you to the area. Hickory’s newly renovated downtown includes alfresco dining, the city walk and a new stage for outdoor concerts

which makes for an evening downtown full of fun for all.

If you are looking for fun during the day be sure to hit the lush hiking trails or paddle and kayak your way on Lake Hickory. Finish your day ziplining at Tree Top Adventures or cruising on Lake Hickory Adventures for a sunset dinner cruise. The options are endless for summer fun in Hickory. Plan your next weekend getaway in Hickory, trust us, it’s worth the drive.

www.visithickorymetro.com

Grandfather Mountain The “Quieter Season”

Our long winter season (November-March) brings some of most spectacular moments on Grandfather Mountain nature park. Visit the “quieter season” with more opportunities for magical, solitary mile-high experiences. You’ll escape the crowds that you normally find in the warmer months.

The weather atop Grandfather is some of the most extreme and fastest changing in the eastern USA. Between the periods of wind and snow, find many sunny mild days for hikes andin the mountains linville even picnics. We are open every day in winter except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, weather permitting. Remember to book your reservation online!

Here are just a few reasons to visit during our long winter:

Postcard Views

See the longest views in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Winter brings many clear days with deep blue skies without the haze of most summer days. Sometimes, you even get a glimpse of the Charlotte skyline more

than 80 miles away and postcard scenes of trees covered in ice and snow. Walk the famous MileHigh Swinging Bridge, but dress warmly and hold on to your hat! Often, you will have the bridge all to yourself!

Wildlife Habitats

Snow especially brings out the animals’ personalities in Grandf ather’s wildlife habitat. Cougars frolic in the fluffy flakes, elk look particularly regal against a backdrop of snow, and the mountain’s river otters steal the show. Meet our animals.

Dine & Splurge

Savor lunch favorites at Mildred’s Grill inside The Nature Museum with homemade soups, salads and sandwiches. While you dine, watch winter birds outside at the feeders. Just down the path, Grandfather’s Fudge Shop has many yummy flavors. Our picnic areas remain open for those warmer days!

Shop

From holiday presents to special souvenirs for yourself, find plenty of unique

items and collectibles in the gift shops located inside the Nature Museum and Top Shop. Both shops carry a variety of artisan crafts and goods, as well as signature Grandfather Mountain souvenirs, from apparel to hiking gear to drinkware and all things in between. For that someone with everything, adopt an animal for them. All proceeds from our shops support the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Hike

Surprising to many, we have many milder days that make for the best hiking weather of the year. During icy and snowy periods, trails will be closed for safety. Trails close at 4 p.m. Read more: Winter Hiking Tips | List of trails.

Tips for Winter Visits

During times of inclement weather, including snowy, icy and windy conditions and extremely low temperatures, the mountain may close entirely or halfway, meaning no access to the Mile High Swinging Bridge until conditions improve. If the park is closed halfway, guests may visit for half-priced admission — even if the remainder of the mountain opens during their stay. We’ll post updates on our home page.

Get the weather forecast for the entrance gate area near Linville at Ray’s Weather. As you

drive up the mountain, the temperature often drops up to 5-10 degrees. We are often 20 degrees cooler than the foothills below.

Hours & Tickets

Planning to visit in January 2023? We are working on a ticketing software update and park tickets are not available for purchase ONLINE past 12/31/22 at this time. If you are planning to visit in early January, you’ll need to purchase your tickets at the Entrance Gate when you arrive. We’ll be honoring discounts (AAA, military, etc.) at the gate during this time.

We’re open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 3:30 p.m. Trails close at 4 p.m. For current weather conditions, phone the Entrance Gate at 828-733-4337.

&

Ideas To Go With The RoCo Flow

There is so much to do in Rockingham County that sometimes it’s hard to know what to jump into first. Let us help plan your weekend getaway with these six Rockingham County can’t miss experiences!

Go with the Flow – Paddle, float, or boat one of Rockingham County’s four rivers, the Dan, Mayo, Smith, and Haw, and three lakes, Belews Lake, Lake Reidsville, and Lake Hunt. Our outfitters can help you plan your trip, and if you are a first timer, an outfitter is highly recommended.

Outfitters: Mayodan Outdoor Sports

MadTown Tubing

Dan River Adventures Dan River Outfitters Carolina Marina Lake Reidsville

Charge It - Our quaint towns offer a variety of specialty shops and boutiques. There is something for everyone.

Mayodan-Riverside Collection

Stoneville-A Family Tradition

Reidsville-This Into That

Hop To It! - BEEEEEEERRRR! The county’s 3 micro-breweries, River Club Concern, Lucky City Brewing, and Reynolds

Brewery, will have you hopping for joy.

Eat Your Heart Out - Taste one of a kind flavors at one of Rockingham County’s local eateries.

E den-That Little Pork Shop Madison-Southern Spirits Reidsville-The Celtic Fringe

Double Feature - Feel the nostalgia with the best seat in the house at the Eden Drive-In.

Sleep Tight - Make reservations to spend the night camping under the stars, snuggling up in a cabin by the river, enjoying a historic downtown home, or relaxing in a cozy hotel.

For more information and trip ideas, visit www. visitrockinghamcountync.com.

The High Country’s Top Culinary Destination

For a town with less than 1,500 residents, Banner Elk has an amazing culinary scene. So amazing, in fact, that Banner Elk is known as the culinary hot spot of the NC High Country.

An impressive array of locallyowned independent restaurants has made this resort town a dining destination. Whether you’re in search of a fine-dining white tablecloth experience, an upscale bistro, ethnic cuisine or a satisfying sandwich from a tasty deli, this town’s thriving food scene covers the spectrum.

Artisanal restaurant is the pinnacle of Banner Elk’s culinary offerings, a fine dining restaurant twice named among the Top 100 Restaurants in America by Open Table. Meanwhile, a new name on the Banner Elk dining scene is Chef’s Table, a farm-to-table eatery serving the freshest local ingredients in the High Country.

Speaking of the High Country, if you want a taste of the

mountains, don’t leave without ordering fresh trout. Have it for dinner at long-time favorite Banner Elk Cafe & Lodge. Banner Elk Cafe is unique because its two kitchens offer a wide selection of lunches and dinners from two menus.

Sample authentic Cajun cuisine at LP (Louisiana Purchase) on Main or Bayou Smokehouse and Grill. Warm up with gumbo, jambalaya or blackened mountain trout. Bayou has a variety of craft beers on tap, and LP on Main has received multiple Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine.

Since 1985, Stonewalls Restaurant has been a destination for locals and visitors. Now under new ownership, the restaurant has upgraded to a chef-driven menu with plenty of culinary creations. Of course, Stonewalls remains the place for juicy steaks, slow-roasted prime rib and its well-known salad bar.

Photo: Todd Bush

Next Level Latin Cuisine In Mooresville

Did you know that Mooresville has the best Latin cuisine restaurant around? Look no further than Capicua Latin Cuisine, the hidden gem.

Chef Jacob brings quality cuisine to the area from all Spanish influences, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian, and Venezuelan. Dishes from Mofongo, and Ropa Vieja, to Chivo Linero.

Bartender Ramon creates his specialty craft cocktails if that’s what you are in the mood for partaking in. However, they have beer and wine available along with daily drink specials.

Need a place to celebrate your anniversary, birthday, or party, here is your spot.

After dinner, the dancing begins! With live music or a DJ, the place will be rocking, and you’ll not be able to stay in your seat.

Capicúa Latin Cuisine 140 Regency Center Dr Mooresville, NC 28117 (704) 660-0018 www.capicualatincuisine.com

New Ways To Discover Burke County

2023 is going to be the summer of fun, making up for the last two years of solitude. Come discover Burke County and check out all of the improvements we have made over the last two years that are ready to be experienced. Two of which are new stages for our free outdoor concert series in Morganton and Valdese. Starting in May, both communities will start having shows on Friday nights in their downtown areas as a great kick off to the weekends. These shows will vary in genre so check out our website at www.DiscoverBurkeCounty.com to see a full lineup of acts as well as times and exact locations. We recommend bringing a blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the music in comfort.

In addition to the new stages we also have more outdoor dining areas and food truck rodeos so you can continue enjoying the outdoors all weekend. Food trucks can almost always be found in downtown Morganton on the newly renovated Historic Courthouse Square or at various

breweries throughout the county. This is the perfect way to try something different while enjoying our beautiful outdoor spaces Burke County is so well known for.

We also have destination dining on the Catawba River Greenway, Town Tavern of Morganton, so you can take a break between exercising without having to get into a vehicle. You can also dock your boat if you are recreating on the Catawba River to order some lunch then get back on the water without missing a beat.

Come see why Burke County is deemed “Nature’s Playground.” Plan your visit today!

Burke County, North Carolina has an adventure for everyone. For more information about the above activities or more happening here, visit www. discoverburkecounty.com.