Create Your Own Carolina Summer Traditions: Tailgate Markets, Topsail Island, and a Blue Ridge Drama Worth the Drive
Summer is for building traditions. This week we have three worth starting. Find a tailgate market where the person behind the table grew what they're selling and go in July when the tomatoes and peaches are coming in at the same time. Pack the car for Topsail Island and walk 937 feet out over the Atlantic on the Surf City Ocean Pier at dusk. And drive up to Boone for Horn in the West, an outdoor drama on a Blue Ridge hillside that has been running since 1952 and still earns a standing ovation. Start any one of these this summer and you'll be back next year.
- Tar Heel athletes competing across sled hockey, short-track, skeleton, and Olympic ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Romantic Valentine’s ideas offering spa dates, scenic hikes, candlelit dinners, and art-filled afternoons in the Carolinas.
- One-night getaways from cozy vintage escapes to luxury and wellness retreats designed for couples.
- Quirky museums showcasing Bigfoot, pinball arcades, cat mummies, haunted dolls, and unexpected local oddities.
- Family-friendly picks including Greenville’s top playgrounds, winter events, and museum experiences for kids and families.
Skip the Big Farmers Market. Go to a Tailgate Market Instead.
Someone vented on Facebook about a big farmers market where some of the booths were resellers buying produce elsewhere and selling it under a tent. The comments lit up. Booth fees at big markets have gotten so high that many actual growers can't afford the space anymore. Tailgate markets are the fix: smaller, lower overhead, and the person selling the tomatoes picked them that morning. Go in July. That's when tomatoes, corn, peaches, blueberries, and okra are all hitting at the same time and there is no better reason to show up early. We've got the scoop on where to find them! Read more…
Pack the Cooler. Topsail Island Is Calling.
Walk 937 feet out on the pier over the open Atlantic at dusk and the beach becomes a stripe behind you and the light does things it doesn't do anywhere else. The sandbars on the ICW fill up with boats on warm afternoons and nobody is in a hurry. Sears Landing serves fresh local seafood from a waterfront porch you can reach by boat or by car. The Surf City Ocean Pier Grill makes homemade waffle cones in 16 flavors. Lea-Hutaff Island, accessible only by boat, has sea turtles, shark teeth, sea glass, and not a single building on it. This is the kind of beach vacation that turns into a tradition without you even deciding to make it one. Read more…
This Outdoor Drama Has Been Running on a Blue Ridge Hillside Since 1952
Horn in the West has been staged on the same hillside in Boone every summer since 1952. The show tells the story of Daniel Boone and the settlers who pushed into the Southern Appalachians during the Revolution, with cannon fire, live music, and fantastic period costumes. Learn more here…
Here’s a quick look at what’s happening this week across the Carolinas — perfect for planning your next adventure!
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On CarolinaTraveler.com
Titanic – The Expedition
May 15 – Sept 7 | Charlotte, NC
Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival
July 31 – Aug 1 | Cary, NC ♕ VIP Free Tix
Liquid Summer Festival
August 15 | Wilmington, NC ♕ VIP Free Tix
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Make the most of your summer—discover, explore, and create memories that last long after the season fades.
Travel Fearlessly
Traveling is an adventure, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. In this week’s issue, we share some expert tips on how to travel fearlessly and handle unexpected emergencies with ease. With the right preparation, you can enjoy your travels with peace of mind. Learn more about smart travel practices to ensure a safe, stress-free journey.
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Got family coming into town? Or maybe you’re planning a holiday escape yourself? Carolina Traveler has the inside scoop on unpublished hotel rates that’ll stretch your vacation dollars. Join Tripfox and start planning that extended stay—or just bank the savings for more eggnog.
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