Did you know, forestlands blanket 61 percent of our state? Beginning with Clemmons in 1976, the NC Forest Service created a series of educational forests to teach North Carolinians about the management and practical importance of trees. ourstate.com/educational-fo…

Red hot dogs? It’s a North Carolina thing. Our favorite franks are those fire-engine red Bright Leaf dogs made from a secret recipe at a sprawling factory in Smithfield. ourstate.com/franks-for-the…

Crisp and airy with chewy centers, these citrusy cookies brighten any occasion. ourstate.com/lemon-cloud-co…

Sunscreen. Surf wax. Flip-flops. The beach packing list is a reminder to bring the essentials, of course. But read between the lines: It’s also a family scrapbook, a reminder of all the vacations that came before. ourstate.com/shore-things/

Welcome the weekend with live music, a classic car cruise-in, and a time-honored Waldensian tradition. Head to Burke County to see all the end-of-week wonders that await in Valdese. — In partnership with Visit Valdese.

In our July issue, we celebrate the historic charm of Winston-Salem’s Reynolda Village. Stroll the grounds and make a day of your visit by popping into a few — or all! — of these charming spots.

Writer T. Edward Nickens spent a day in a Blue Ridge stream with a renowned fly-fishing guide, who taught him about the wisdom of life — and the ways of trout. To read more, click the link below. ourstate.com/casting-light/

Before the Pasquotank River flows into Albemarle Sound, it passes by a historic and welcoming coastal town known as the “Harbor of Hospitality.” ourstate.com/from-land-to-s…

Our version starts with homemade cookies — the flavor and toppings are up to you. ourstate.com/ice-cream-cook…

From farm stands to strip-mall shops to downtown staples, each of the 13 locations on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail offers something unique. ourstate.com/hendersonville…

In Henderson County, a third-generation farmer whose family once grew produce for making baby food now creates fanciful flavors of homemade ice cream. ourstate.com/mcconnell-farm…

This pie, topped with fresh basil, is the perfect recipe to use the abundance of tomatoes from your summer garden. ourstate.com/tomato-pie/

One man’s quest for rare glass bottles inspired him to put down roots in the Old North State — and now, his collection of nearly 35,000 pieces fills his antique store in Selma. To read the full story, click the link below. ourstate.com/splendor-in-th…

A colorful community of creatives thrives in western North Carolina. From a school for folk art and expert-led classes to customizable souvenirs, these four spaces make Murphy a destination all its own. — With Visit Cherokee County.

Impress your guests with this colorful pasta supper, complete with fresh shellfish from the Carolina coast. ourstate.com/lemon-pecorino…

From the downtown greenway to sweeping parks with trails and zip lines, the Gate City’s green spaces offer ways for all ages to play outdoors. — With Visit Greensboro. ourstate.com/get-outside-in…

For many, a hammock delivers memories of coastal breezes, family vacations, and the serenity of soundside sunsets. To read about three Outer Banks hammock companies weaving coastal nostalgia, click the link below. ourstate.com/north-carolina…

Dried lavender buds bring a subtle floral note to these creamy, tangy bars. ourstate.com/lavender-lemon…

A front porch is an invitation: to stop and chat awhile, to relax and enjoy the evening air, to learn about life and watch as the world goes by. ourstate.com/a-year-in-this…

Join Our State at the award-winning Fearrington House Inn as we bring together four of North Carolina’s most prestigious chefs for a one-night elevated farm-to-table dining experience. ourstate.com/meet-the-maker…