Shelton Vineyard

Shelton Vineyards was founded in 1999 and is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina. It is located in the Yadkin Valley near Dobson and Mt. Airy, North Carolina. The winery features a spacious visitor center with a tasting bar and gift shop. It also offers tours and tastings every day of the week. Picnicking is encouraged due to its beautiful landscape. It sponsors a summer concert series on its outdoor stage during the summer months. It also offers upscale dining with a bistro atmosphere in its Harvest Grill restaurant. Come entertain yourself in the Yadkin Valley with this vineyards fabulous wines.

God and Country Celebration

The God and Country Celebration in Yadkin County is a daylong town festival with a patriotic theme featuring music, food, crafts, parade, speeches and fireworks. This popular event will take place the Saturday before July 4^th and will begin at 9:30 am. Estimates put attendance at this popular event between 10,000 and 15,000 people. The celebration starts off with a parade that features floats and bands, which compete for prizes.  At noon, music begins on the music stage at the school and features local and regional bands performing bluegrass, old-time string band, gospel, and rock & roll. Beginning at 6:00pm, there is a patriotic program featuring a special speaker each year who talks about “God and Country”. There is also gospel singing and a special feature to the evening program honoring local veterans, which includes military music.  Fireworks begin at 9:00pm.

Brushy Mountain Cyclist Club

The Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club is the club for all cyclists in Northwest North Carolina. This club promotes cycling in Wilkes and the Western portion of North Carolina through community awareness and club sponsored events while creating opportunities to ride for fun and fitness.   People of all ages and abilities come out to accept the challenge posed by the scenic and rugged terrain of the Blue Ridge foothills. If you are a cyclist lover in the North Carolina area then make sure to check out the Brushy Mountain Cyclist Club.

Stewarts Creek WMA Birding and Wildlife Trail

If you are a Birding and Wildlife enthusiast then you will enjoy the 1,087 acres contained within the Stewarts Creek Wildlife Management Area. It is best known among locals for its high quality trout fishing. This wildlife management area is located along the Blue Ridge Mountains and includes both the North and South forks of Stewarts Creek. You will find hiking trails throughout this area which provides the ideal setting for nature lovers. This is also an excellent area to spy a diversity of wildlife, including animals such as wild turkey, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer, gray squirrel and even the elusive red fox. Stewarts Creek is open sunrise to sundown and admission free.

Wilkes Art Gallery

The Wilkes Art Gallery has experienced many transformations throughout the years. It was founded in 1962 in the parlor of art patron Annie Winkler’s home, and in 2004 the gallery moved into the newly renovated North Wilkesboro Post Office, located in the heart of downtown North Wilkesboro.  The Gallery’s 10,000 square foot facility includes over 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, an education center with a complete ceramics studio, painting and drawing studios, two multi-purpose classrooms, and a Gallery Gift Shop.  The gallery is dedicated to providing classes and workshops for all ages.  Adult classes are offered in ceramics, painting, knitting, watercolor, drawing, stained glass, and much more throughout the year. The Wilkes Art Gallery is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to providing quality experiences in the arts through exhibits, classes, workshops and field trips for all ages. If you’re in the area and interested in the arts, then the Wilkes Art Gallery is for you.

Raffaldini Vineyard and Winery

At Raffaldini Vineyard and Winery, you will have a chance to experience Tuscany in North Carolina. With its love of Italian heritage and passion for Italian wine, you are sure to enjoy everything this Vineyard has to offer. The vineyards include 43 acres and comprise grape varieties of Aglianico, Malbec, Montepulciano, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Moscato, Pinot Grigio and Vermentino. Many of these grapes are commonly grown in Italy, reinforcing their passion for Italian style wines. It offers wine tastings, vineyard tours, wine purchases and a great selection of a la carte Italian foods. Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery is a must see destination. If you have never traveled to Tuscany, you’ll have an opportunity to get a feel for the Tuscan countryside and great Italian-styled wines.

Buck Shoals Vineyard

Buck Shoals Vineyard has been in the Crater family for five generations and can be found in the midst of the Yadkin County Amish community. The current site sits at an elevation of 1150 feet and has both east and west facing slopes. Buck Shoals Vineyard produces wines of the Bordeaux variety, growing eleven varieties but specializing in the Italian reds. It has expanded to include a distillery, which will make brandies and other types of spirits. The final Amarones, known as the raisin wine, are being developed with plans to do a honey wine. The elevation and soil type at Buck Shoals is similar to many wine growing areas in Italy. You are welcome to pick and enjoy table grapes as you wander along the path from the log cabin tasting room facility to the observation gazebo with its view of the Brushy Mountains facility. If your in the mood for good wine and good times then you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to capture Italian wine at its finest.

Carolina Ziplines

Carolina Ziplines is a place of fun, nature, and adventure. At Carolina Ziplines, visitors slide across 11 lines of cable, totaling 4,000 feet, until they reach the bottom of the mountain. Gliding high above the forest floor on cables strung between trees isn’t the type of thrill you might expect to find in the Piedmont, but the popular pastime of ziplining has made its way to Stokes County. Thrill seekers from all over travel to zipline in North Carolina with the use of harnesses, ropes, and pulleys to glide from one platform to another. Come soar through the trees, harnessed in climbing gear, for an exciting look at the beautiful Carolina Country nature from a completely new perspective.

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Blue Ridge Parkway

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Blue Ridge Parkway offers a slow paced and relaxing drive that offers an overlook through the Blue Ridge Mountains that will reveal much of the natural and cultural history here. At each Blue Ridge Parkway entrance a directional sign indicates ‘north’ or ‘south’. North, toward the north end of the Parkway, leads to Shenandoah National Park. South, toward the south end of the Parkway, leads to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This drive offers outstanding scenery and recreational opportunities as it winds its way 469 miles through mountain meadows and past endless vistas. Parks within the Blue Ridge Parkway have visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails and, in many instances, concessionaire-operated lodges, restaurants, and other facilities. Experience America’s favorite drive as you explore the many communities along the route that make this region so special.

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Rural Retreat Winery and Vineyards

Rural Retreat winery and Vineyards is located in Wythe County, Virginia. It features fine wines, a full service deli, catering, and even local artist work. Its hours are Monday thru Saturday from 11:00 to 5:30, and Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00. If your in the mood for fine wine and even better times then make sure to stop by and see for yourself all that Viginia Vineyards has to offer.