North Carolina - Latest News

Fayetteville’s Month Long Salute To The Military Culminates With Memorial Day Weekend Celebrations

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:51:39 +0000

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - As part of this year’s 31 Day Salute , Fayetteville/Cumberland County will be hosting several events throughout Memorial Day weekend as they approach the conclusion of May. Kicking things off on Friday, May 24 are two arts-focused celebrations, Fayetteville’s 4th Friday and Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Spring Concert . 4th Friday is a...

Bluegrass Reverberates Across North Carolina

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:30:05 +0000

Raleigh-bound IBMA gathering invites discovery of the state’s traditions RALEIGH, N.C. — The music traditions that led to bluegrass have rung out in the North Carolina mountains for hundreds of years. With Raleigh’s selection as host of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass in September, music lovers have more reason than ever to...

North Carolina Shares the Spotlight With Iron Man 3

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:12:24 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — With Friday’s arrival of Iron Man 3 as summer’s first must-see movie, North Carolina becomes summer’s must-see state. Filmmakers transformed coastal Wilmington, small-town Rose Hill and suburban Cary into California, Tennessee, Florida and even Afghanistan in the high-tech adventure, which opened overseas to rave reviews and record-smashing box...

Media Alert: State Officials, Film Execs to Attend Special 'Iron Man 3' Screening

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:50:32 +0000

WHO: Sharon Allred Decker, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Aaron Syrett, Director, North Carolina Film Office Charles Newirth , Executive Producer of "Iron Man 3" Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the MPAA Local cast and crew WHAT: Special guests to attend a private, invitation-only cast and crew screening of Marvel's "Iron Man 3" which was filmed in...

Spring Lighthouse Season Opens With a New NC Tower to Climb

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:50:38 +0000

Renovated Bodie Island Lighthouse offers regular ascents for the first time RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s prime lighthouse-climbing season begins April 19 with the historic Bodie Island Lighthouse opening for regular tours for the first time. The newly restored lighthouse, its magnificent first-order Fresnel lens cleaned down to the shine, becomes the sixth along the...

7 Reasons to Toast North Carolina Beer Month

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:37:13 +0000

Cheers! Inaugural NC Beer Month Has Begun RALEIGH, N.C. — Brewing a new tradition, North Carolina rings in spring with its inaugural Beer Month as a testament to the state’s influence in the craft beer business. Sponsored by the North Carolina Brewers Guild and the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Beer Month takes in special tours, tastings, dinners, classes, festivals and...

Beer at the Ballpark: Draft Picks Score Across NC

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:26:12 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — A spring breeze, the crack of a bat, the sense of place that defines Minor League Baseball — all that and a choice of craft brew: What more could a baseball fan want? From Asheville to Zebulon, games unfold in towns where Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Curt Schilling, Manny Ramírez, Chipper Jones, Cal Ripken Jr., Derek Jeter and “Crash” Davis...

Spring Festivals Shine Across North Carolina

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:56:56 +0000

Inaugural Beer Month, statewide star party put the ‘new’ in spring renewal Festive new events are blooming among the azaleas, dogwoods and rhododendron that color North Carolina’s spring landscapes. Joining Merlefest, three steeplechases, the North Carolina Azalea Festival and other perennial favorites are two inaugural mountains-to-sea events, NC Beer Month and a statewide...

North Carolina Tourism Industry Welcomes Award Recipients into Winner’s Circle

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:14:06 +0000

WILMINGTON, N.C. — North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Sharon Allred Decker welcomed three distinguished North Carolinians to the “Winner’s Circle” on Monday at the North Carolina Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Lynn Minges, President & CEO of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association; Bill Vassar, Executive Vice President of EUE/Screen...

Inaugural North Carolina Beer Month Set for April 2013

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:23:55 +0000

70+ Breweries and Tourism Partners Cover All of April, All of NC RALEIGH, N.C. — With the most breweries of any state south of Pennsylvania and east of Texas, North Carolina is truly the South’s beer stronghold. To celebrate the state’s craftsmanship and the destinations where it’s nurtured, breweries, hotels, restaurants and other businesses combine forces with...

10 Checkpoints for African American History and Heritage Across North Carolina

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:02:45 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — While the spotlight is trained on Black History Month, plan a visit to one of these intriguing North Carolina sites that reflect African American history and heritage. Harriet Jacobs Trail Edenton Harriet Jacobs, born in Edenton, escaped slavery and wrote one of the first narratives about the struggle for freedom by female slaves in the plantation South. To...

Study: Most N.C. Winery Customers Are In-State Tourists

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:47:59 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — A new research study on visitation to North Carolina wineries revealed that 80 percent of winery customers are visitors to the community, with more than 70 percent coming from inside the state. Most overnight visitors went to North Carolina wineries as an activity during their vacation while only 12.4 percent indicated that visiting the winery or a winery event...

2012 a Record-Breaking Year for Film Industry in NC

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:37:21 +0000

N.C. Film Office reports $376 million in spending, 20,000 job opportunities RALEIGH, N.C. — As in 2011, North Carolina witnessed another year of record-breaking film numbers as 2012 comes to an end. Year-end projections show productions had a direct in-state spend in excess of $376 million and created more than 4,100 well-paying crew positions for the state’s highly...

First-Ever NC Beer Month to Be Held April 2013

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:30:19 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — Destinations across North Carolina are creating special month-long craft beer promotions for April 2013, designated as NC Beer Month. Lodging packages, gourmet prix fixe menus, special pairings, classes and chef dinners will be part of this first-time promotion created by the North Carolina Division of Tourism and NC Brewer’s Guild....

North Carolina Ski Season Off to Record-Breaking Start

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:59:03 +0000

After the unusually warm 2011-12 winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina skiing got off to a record-breaking season this year when two of the state’s six ski areas opened on an unprecedented early date: Halloween. Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, several inches of natural snow fell in the North Carolina High Country and Smoky Mountains in late October, allowing both Sugar Mountain...

North Carolina Offers a ‘November to Remember’

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:24:41 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. (November 1, 2012) — From wind-powered whirligigs to Wings Over Water, early-season skiing and late-season leaf watching, North Carolina promises visitors a “November to Remember.” Travelers can find information on nearly 300 November events at VisitNC.com , the state’s official travel planning website, and scope out activities in a new “Fall Into...

State Tourism Office Links Visitors to Fall Color, Fishing

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:57:36 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — With fall unfolding like magic, the North Carolina Division of Tourism is tapping the interactive power of social media to keep travelers connected to the landscape’s most vibrant foliage and the coast’s most bountiful fishing. Followers of VisitNC.com on Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest and Instagram can post and view current foliage photos from...

NC Destinations Prepare for a Lively Labor Day Weekend

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:33:04 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — Travelers looking for a standout summer send-off will find themselves in good company across North Carolina. With longstanding Labor Day festivals and special events leading up to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, destinations are ready to welcome a stream of Labor Day visitors. “The weekend will truly end summer on a high note,” said...

State Tourism Office Touts NC Offerings to DNC Visitors

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:00:11 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — With 35,000 delegates, dignitaries and media representatives as well as the eyes of the world converging on Charlotte for the 2012 Democratic National Convention next week, the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development is seizing the opportunity to showcase the state's assets as a travel destination. “Attention will be fixed on Charlotte and North...

Festive Events Cover the Fall Spectrum Across NC

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:38:09 +0000

With its breaths of fresh air, autumn draws out North Carolina’s festive nature. Every weekend brings events that pick up different wavelengths to celebrate everything from the glorious foliage, the truest blue skies, vivid sunsets and the particulars that impart local color. North Carolina Apple Festival Aug. 31-Sept. 3 Hendersonville Henderson County, one of the nation’s top...

NC Film Production for 2012 Already Exceeds 2011 Record

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:17:34 +0000

35 productions to date account for $300 million in spending, 16,000 job opportunities RALEIGH, N.C. — Halfway through the 2012 calendar year, film productions in North Carolina have already eclipsed 2011’s recording setting numbers for in-state spending. As of July, the North Carolina Film Office has received notification from more than 35 productions in regards to filming...

North Carolina Spotlights 543 One-of-a-Kind Experiences

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:13:12 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — Travelers in search of unique experiences can find fresh inspiration in a new postcard-style feature from VisitNC.com, North Carolina’s official travel website. With evocative photos and text, the state travel office captures 543 experiences that can be found only in North Carolina. The number 543 represents the driving distance between Manteo on the coast and...

NC’s Presidential Past Creates Backdrop for Democratic National Convention

Thu, 31 May 2012 12:01:35 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — From George Washington to Barack Obama, U.S. presidents have slept, studied and taken their first steps in North Carolina. They’ve vacationed here, played golf and visited must-see attractions. Depending on whom you believe, as many as four native sons have held the nation’s highest office. As the state awaits a new moment in history with the 2012...

Conditions Point to a Vibrant Holiday Weekend Across NC

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:34:25 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gas prices, the weather and year-to-date travel in North Carolina signal a busy Memorial Day weekend across the state. The three-day holiday, which marks the start of the summer vacation season, coincides with the opening of exciting new attractions from the mountains to the coast. “From a first-time visitor to the most season traveler, everyone will find...

Tourism Day To Mark Travel Industry’s Record Impact on NC Economy

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:35:38 +0000

State Tax Receipts From Visitor Spending Now More Than $1 Billion RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue is proclaiming Wednesday, May 16, 2012, as Tourism Day in North Carolina, celebrating travel and tourism as a major industry that is vital to the economic stability and growth of the state. For the first time, state tax receipts as a result of visitor spending topped $1 billion in 2011...

State Tourism Office, Time Warner Cable Partner to Boost Travel

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:17:28 +0000

Popular North Carolina Destinations Promoted on Travel On Demand RALEIGH, N.C. — From the Outer Banks to the Southern Appalachians, getting to a North Carolina tourist destination is as easy as a few clicks away. In an effort to attract visitors, the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development has formed a partnership with Time Warner Cable Media to air long-form...

State Tourism Office Expects Economic Boost From ‘Hunger Games’ Fans

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:34:45 +0000

Travel Spending Will Add to the Total Filmmakers Spent in NC RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is poised to reap major dividends from tourism with the March 23 opening of “ The Hunger Games ,” the highest-profile movie ever made in the state. Shot on locations and sets from Concord to Barnardsville with some of Hollywood’s brightest young stars, the Lionsgate release...

Festivities Put a Spring Into Everyone’s Step

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:09:34 +0000

Nature does spring’s heavy lifting. She banishes the chill, lengthens the day and otherwise sets in motion the glorious changes that lead us outside. No wonder gardeners and event organizers are inspired to great heights. Here’s a selection of North Carolina events that soar this season. Find more at VisitNC.com . Outer Banks Taste of the Beach March 15-18 The wind and waves...

12 Great Places to Experience ‘The Hunger Games'

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:12:06 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — Picture the mountain forest where Katniss and Gale hunted. Imagine the stand of trees that spit fireballs at terrified Tributes. Envision a gleaming city where schemers jerked the reins of power. Makers of the new “The Hunger Games” film found those settings and more in the diverse landscapes of North Carolina. They shot their adaptation of ...

NC Tourism Office Launches New Marketing Campaign

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:33:27 +0000

Message to focus on uniquely North Carolina experiences RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development today announced the launch of its new marketing campaign to promote leisure travel to North Carolina. The state’s “Deeper Connections” message strategy focuses on finding the next level of...

NC Tourism Office Unveils Tools to Assist Wine Travelers

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:34:51 +0000

Expanded wine guide, billboards and mobile website to help visitors find wineries RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development today announced the release of three new tools to help travelers find their way to more than 100 wineries in North Carolina. A new winery guide, mobile website and billboard campaign are...

2012 North Carolina Travel Guide Features Unique NC Experiences

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:30:50 +0000

Cover Showcases Johnnie Mercer’s Pier at Wrightsville Beach RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development today unveiled “The Official 2012 North Carolina Travel Guide,” a 174-page handbook that gets to the heart of the state’s appeal. Evocative photographs and modern digital features draw visitors into the natural,...

Gov. Perdue, Cherokee Reach New Table Gaming Compact

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:34:12 +0000

Agreement Will Mean Funds for Classrooms and Hundreds of Jobs RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue and leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have reached an agreement that will inject additional funding directly into classrooms, and create 400 new jobs in western North Carolina, by expanding the Cherokee’s gaming enterprises. “My top priorities are...

Holiday Lights Set Nights Aglow

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:53:32 +0000

From glistening gardens and festive neighborhoods to floating parades and a brightly streaked sky, these dazzling light shows are a sure-fire delight. Meadow Lights Nov. 18-Dec. 31, Meadow This farming community near Benson celebrates the season with the area’s largest fantasy of Christmas lights. Enjoy an authentic live manger scene, a carousel ride and lights all along a country...

Gingerbread Displays Create Sweet Feasts for the Eyes

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:07:27 +0000

Forget “Hansel and Gretel.” For sheer enchantment, North Carolina’s gingerbread displays beat anything an old witch could concoct. National Gingerbread Competition Nov. 16-Jan. 1 The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Asheville Now in its 19th year, the competition attracts hundreds of entries and thousands of visitors, who come to the historic Blue Ridge Mountain resort to...

Signature Holiday Events Shine Across North Carolina

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:01:08 +0000

Hundreds of celebrations set North Carolina aglow for the holidays. Here are 10 of the brightest destination events. Christmas at Biltmore Nov. 4-Jan. 1 Asheville, N.C. America’s largest home has a larger-than-life tradition that involves 100 decorated Christmas trees; hundreds of wreaths, bows and poinsettias; thousands of lights; and more than 25,000 ornaments. The grandeur reaches...

Gov. Perdue Announces Iron Man 3 to Film in North Carolina

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:21:58 +0000

Iron Man 3 Film Will Base in Wilmington, Creating Jobs and Bring Millions to the State RALEIGH. N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Marvel Studios film Iron Man 3 , starring Robert Downey Jr., will soon start pre-production in Wilmington. The motion picture is expected to be made in North Carolina over a 10 month period, including pre production, principal photography, and...

North Carolina Ski Season Races Toward an Early Start

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:21:50 +0000

After two seasons of unusually generous snowfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina scored the earliest flurry on record Oct. 1. The half-inch dusting at Beech Mountain, home of the highest ski area east of the Rockies, stokes hopes for an early return to the slopes for skiers and snowboarders. Even if nature fails to match last season's 130 inches of powder at Beech or Sugar...

North Carolina State Fair Awards 343 Medals in 2011 Wine Competition

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:35:14 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — RayLen Vineyards & Winery won the N.C. Winegrowers Cup for best of show and Cypress Bend Vineyards took home the N.C. Muscadine Cup in the 2011 North Carolina State Fair Wine Competition. The 12th annual wine competition, held October 5-6 in Raleigh, featured 444 wines competing in the commercial division and 94 wines in the amateur division. RayLen Vineyards...

North Carolina Invites Travelers to Explore All Forms of Fall’s Splendor

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:09:31 +0000

Diverse Experiences Create Endless Ways to Color Outside the Lines RALEIGH, N.C. — While North Carolina’s fall color may start with the beautiful foliage found amid the tallest mountains east of the Rockies, natural beauty, special events and seasonal activities stretch across more than 500 miles from the high country to the Piedmont and on to the coast. Autumn’s...

Fall Arrives With a Promise of Spectacular Color

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:49:37 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — With a fanfare of positive notes from the experts, travelers can expect a vibrant foliage display across North Carolina this fall enticing visitors to “Color Outside the Lines.” Fall color and fishing reports, as well as seasonal events across the state, can be found at VisitNC.com . Since seeing is believing, photos and videos will be updated daily via...

North Carolina Wine Industry Generates $1.28 Billion in Economic Impact

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:42:57 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that the North Carolina wine and grape industry generated an impact of $1.28 billion on the state’s economy in 2009, an increase of 58 percent since 2005. The industry supported 7,600 jobs across the state, adding 1,900 jobs since 2005. “Our wine industry creates jobs and attracts visitors to our...

North Carolina Tourism Campaign Gains National Recognition

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:00:48 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development has received a 2011 Mercury Award from the US Travel Association’s National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) for its cooperative marketing efforts. This marks the Division's 22nd Mercury Award recognition since 1985. The national award recognizes the North Carolina tourism office for...

NC Beaches Are Ready for Labor Day Weekend Visitors

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:00:45 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — Nearly all of North Carolina's 320 miles of coastline is open for business and ready for visitors during the Labor Day holiday weekend and beyond. The safety of residents and visitors is the No. 1 priority and everyone should exercise caution when traveling to the coast. Visitors should contact their lodging provider ahead of time to make sure the property is ready to...

Many NC Beaches Open for Visitors

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:42:49 +0000

Many North Carolina Beaches Already Open For Visitors FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SUNDAY, AUG. 28, 2011 CONTACT: Margo Metzger NC Division of Tourism (919) 733-7420 margo@visitnc.com Many North Carolina Beaches Already Open For Visitors RALEIGH--Gov. Bev Perdue announced Sunday that much of North Carolina's 300 miles of coastline is open for business and ready for...

State Prepares for Hurricane Irene

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:50:00 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. – Gov. Perdue today said North Carolina emergency management officials are continuing to prepare for Hurricane Irene, which is projected to make landfall near Cape Hatteras Saturday afternoon. Perdue met this morning with the State Emergency Response Team to discuss the latest steps the state is taking, including the mandatory evacuations that began this...

Visitor Spending Rises in 98 of 100 North Carolina Counties in 2010

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:04:03 +0000

State Spending by Visitors Jumps to Record $17 Billion RALEIGH, NC — Gov. Bev Perdue announced Tuesday that 98 of the state’s 100 counties saw increases in visitor spending in 2010, including 13 counties that had double-digit increases. Data from the N.C. Dept. of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development, showed that three counties had more than $1...

North Carolina Channels Real Pirate History

Tue, 10 May 2011 13:55:46 +0000

Queen Anne’s Revenge Wreckage Yields a New Display and a Solid Conclusion RALEIGH, N.C. — Near the haunts and hideouts of Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, North Carolina confronts Hollywood fantasy this summer with heightened action at year-round pirate destinations. A bold new exhibit at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort renders a verdict in the 14½-year...

North Carolina Celebrates Tourism's Impact on the State's Economy With Tourism Day

Tue, 10 May 2011 10:35:01 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 10, 2011) — Gov. Bev Perdue proclaimed today, May 10, 2011 as Tourism Day, celebrating travel and tourism as a major state industry that is vital to the economic stability and growth of North Carolina. Tourism Day is celebrated as part of National Travel and Tourism Week which is May 7-15. A full day of events is scheduled in Raleigh on May 10 to celebrate...

North Carolina Tourism Industry Welcomes Award Recipients into Winner’s Circle

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:20:29 +0000

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Three distinguished North Carolinians were honored today at the North Carolina Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism for their significant and continuing contributions to the growth and success of North Carolina's tourism industry. The 2011 Winner’s Circle Awards were presented to Dr. Lawrence J. Wheeler, Director, North Carolina Museum of...