Salt and SummitNorth Carolina field guide

Brunswick County

The
coast

Four barrier-island towns between the Cape Fear and the South Carolina line. Atlantic on one side, the Intracoastal Waterway on the other.

Open the coast guide
Ocean Isle BeachHolden BeachSunset BeachOak Island

Blue Ridge

The
mountains

Four High Country towns, from a college county seat to the highest incorporated town east of the Rockies.

Open the mountain guide
Beech MountainBooneBlowing RockBanner Elk

What this edition will tell you

Eight townsSunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, and Oak Island on the coast. Beech Mountain, Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk in the Blue Ridge. Neighbors are mentioned when you would actually drive there.
Public placesBeaches, inlets, the lighthouse in Caswell Beach, Bird Island, the Blue Ridge Parkway, state parks, and the three ski resorts by their real names.
A TODO is a gapIf a restaurant, rental company, ticket price, or this year's parade is missing, it was not checked. It is not a hint hiding off-stage.

Start with the season

March through MaySpringA quieter season on the Brunswick beaches and a muddy, waterfall season in the Blue Ridge.June through AugustSummerPeak season on the Brunswick beaches, and the cool-night season in Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Beech Mountain.Late September through OctoberFall colorHow leaf color usually moves through the High Country, and why this guide will not name a peak day.December through MarchWinter and ski seasonBeech Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain Resort, and Appalachian Ski Mountain, without invented ticket prices.When the towns fillHoliday weeksWhich holidays actually change these eight towns, without an invented parade schedule.

Choose between places

Ocean Isle Beach or Holden BeachA factual comparison of Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach: inlets, bridges, piers, and what is still unchecked.Boone or Blowing RockBoone and Blowing Rock are close enough to share a trip and different enough to pick on purpose.Beach or mountainsHow to choose between the four Brunswick beaches and the four High Country towns in this guide.

Shape a short trip

Two days, one regionA weekendA coast weekend and a mountain weekend built from public places, with no restaurant reservations invented.When the overlook disappearsA rainy dayHonest rainy-day options in both regions, including the indoor gaps this guide has not filled.One outing, then the beach or the porchWith kidsA slower shape for a family trip to the Brunswick beaches or the High Country.Assume nothing about the sandWith dogsWhat is known about dogs in these eight towns, and the ordinances this guide will not guess.

Or read the year as a month-by-month calendar.