Special Offers in North Carolina

August is a great time to explore the mountains of Western North Carolina. Cool mountain waterfalls, whitewater escapades, charming bed and breakfast inns, all set amid the natural wonders of the mountains. And with incredible fall rates, golf packages, and other late summer sales, check out the VisitNC list of special offers

Best Places To Live The Simple Life

Greenville, South Carolina was named one of the best places to live the simple life by AARP Magazine due to its rich culture, great food, and low stress.

Dubbed as family-friendly fun, from "penny candy" to goat-cheese pizza, Greenville's median housing price is just $151,080. When the most relaxing way to spend an afternoon is hiking the pristine mountain woodlands of Jones Gap State Park, just 25 miles outside Greenville and simple fun for less than $10 means grabbing a cup of coffee or an ice-cream cone at Spill the Beans, how could you go wrong?

Read the full article by Sarah Mahoney

Lake Lure & The Blue Ridge Foothills Sweepstakes

From majestic peaks to hip and historic small towns, Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills offer everything you need for a getaway that will help you renew your senses. With great food, fun things to do, and amazing things to see, the lake may lure you – but the spectacular scenery and abundant activities will make you want to stay awhile.

Now, you can win a family trip for four to the area that Frommer’s Budget Travel called ‘a lake not to miss’. The winner will receive:

• Two rooms for four nights and breakfast for four at the historic Lake Lure Inn and Spa


• Admission for four to Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park and a picnic lunch provided by the park’s Old Rock Café


• A one-hour Lake Lure Boat Cruise for four.


• A 90-minute eco-kayak tour for four and a ½ day pontoon boat rental from the Lake Lure Adventure Company.


• A half-day guided fishing trip for two from Granddaddy Fly Fishing.


• A two-hour guided scenic horseback tour for four from Cedar Creek Riding Stables.


• $100 gift certificate for MSquared Restaurant


• $100 gift certificate for the Anna Rose Restaurant


• $100 shopping voucher


• $500 travel voucher
  

Enter today! The sweepstakes ends August 31, 2009.

Courtesy of www.visitnc.com

Cool Off in the Mountains This Summer

If the summer heat has you frazzled, consider a trip to the mountains and lake regions of the Southeast U.S. The lake breezes and higher mountain elevations ensure a cool down to soothe your stress.

If quiet ambiance is your dream vacation, consider a cabin rental through a vacation rental agency. Quaint small towns are filled with shops, diners, and local artisans and crafters.

But if adventure is your escape, consider whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, or a more rigorous mountain trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN offer a plethora of adventures such as horseback riding, Dollywood, Ober Gatlinburg, shopping, dining, the Gatlinburg Aquarium and so much more.

Visit http://www.floridahalfbacks.com/ to connect with lodging and adventure options throughout the mountains and lakes of the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and more.

North Carolina Mountain Living: The Sky's the Limit in Buyer's Market

If you’ve dreamed of owning a vacation or second home in the North Carolina mountains, the best buying opportunity in a generation may well be at hand. Prices have dropped, interest rates are low and good deals can be found just about anywhere you look.

Better hurry, though. After a sluggish fall and nearly dormant winter, the Western North Carolina real estate market is once again showing signs of life. While the boom days of 2003 to 2006 are gone, the mountains are clearly beginning the long slow climb back to health.

To view entire article by Jim Hughes, click here: http://www.metronc.com/article/?id=1923