This Weekend in North Carolina (From Benson to Asheville and Points in Between!)

Happy December!  North Carolina is a fun place to be this time of year and I'm happy to be back with a listing of fun things you can add to your "attend" list for the upcoming weekend.

Chapel Hill is ready to celebrate the season at the beautiful Carolina Inn.  From breathtaking decor to handsome horse drawn carriage rides to the smells and sounds of the season the Carolina Inn's 12 Days of Christmas Event is not to be missed.  All through the month the Inn will have different displays and festivities to partake in.  Visit their website for a menu of events and pricing.

Benson's Meadow Lights is home to the oldest and largest light display in Eastern North Carolina.  This event is more than just lights - it is the story of Christ, train rides, a massive candy store, Santa, and a beautiful carousel.  Make this a destination point this holiday season - there is no admission fee and food is available for purchase.  

Greensboro if you're in the Gate City then make plans to visit the Greensboro Historical Museum where Christmas Mice have taken over the exhibits!  

Winston-Salem once was known for tobacco.  The legacy of the R.J. Reynolds' family has left a permanent mark on the Twin City.  The Reynolda House - the home of the Reynolds Tobacco Magnates - is alive with the charm of the holiday season.  Art lovers will enjoy seeing the beautiful paintings that call Reynolda home.  The Gilded Age is celebrated in this home in the heart of Winston-Salem.  

High Point This is a great weekend to take in the High Point Ballet's Peformance of The Nutcracker Ballet.    I very much enjoy the High Point Theater and have enjoyed many plays and music acts there.  Be sure to reserve your ticket for the ballet ($15)!

Pinnacle is home to Horne Creek Farm.  This historical farm allows visitors to get a feel for farming life around the turn of the last century.  At Christmas the farm transforms to allow patrons to experience the food, music, and rural culture at Christmas during 1900.  This event is a reservation only experience and includes your meal.

Blowing Rock is where we spent our meal time on Thanksgiving Day (yummy!).  It is also a beautiful, tiny town in the NC High Country, next to Boone. The beautiful Chetola Resort calls Blowing Rock home and to see it at Christmas is just majestic!  The Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort is free to enter and when you come in to drive through and take in the lights you will be given information on more events taking place this season at the resort.   

Asheville is home to the National Gingerbread Competition and you can already smell it, right?  This competition has been televised on various national cable syndicates and also ABC.  Head to the Grove Park Inn Hotel and enter to view the competition for free.  There is a fee to park ($10) with half of that fee going to area charities.  This is the 23rd year this fun event!

Have a fun and festive weekend ahead!  I'll see you later on with my evening post.