More of The Most Scenic Hikes in North Carolina Are Waiting for You

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Whereas our first three entries were the closest to your new home in Rocky Mount, these next three are also reasonable for a day trip. As you may recall in our first post, each destination was under 200 miles from your new home in Rocky Mount. While slightly further of a trek, each of the following three trips are equally as awesome a view and reinvigorating of a trail that are well worth the time spent. An early departure from Belmont Lake Preserve will have you in awe at the amazing outdoor views and surroundings at any of these three Scenic Hikes in North Carolina with the whole day at your disposal to enjoy.

Following this second post, we will next take a “peak” at a few more of the most Scenic Hikes in North Carolina. Those will be ones that may take a bit more planning to get to. However, as with each of these inspiring and incredible paths we list, each view is an experience all its own.

The Most Scenic Hikes in North Carolina Under 300 Miles from BLP

Erwin’s View Trail- Linville Falls 

This is the number one favorite of all Scenic Hikes in North Carolina in the eyes of many experienced trail goers. Erwin’s View Trail, estimated at 1.5 miles in length, takes you past not one, but three incredible lookout points of Linville Falls. The majestic forests that surround this trail will leave you speechless. Erwin’s View is also one of the most photographed trails anywhere in the Eastern U.S.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 277 miles

Crabtree Falls Loop Trail- Grassy Creek, NC

This well-known entry among our Scenic Hikes in North Carolina is the perfect trek for an early afternoon or late morning start. It is not the easiest hike on our list, but this invigorating 2.5-mile trail is worth the extra effort. Starting at milepost number 339.5 along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and hence the name, this trail loops around beautiful Crabtree Falls.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 295 miles

Old Mitchell Trail- Mount Mitchell

Many offer up a dare upon your arrival to the next of our top Scenic Hikes in North Carolina. The hike is Old Mitchell Trail. The dare is to hike up to the top of Mount Mitchell, rather than driving. The hilly and serene trail only goes for four miles. Each mile along the way brings a changing ecosystem that must truly be seen to appreciate. Many outdoors experts feel this to be the most spectacular and scenic hike of under-five miles in the entire state.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 299 miles

Our Final Three Scenic Hikes in North Carolina…Are Not Much Further Away

The next and final of our three post series on Scenic Hikes in North Carolina will once again be just a bit further from your home at Belmont Lake Preserve. Unlike this post, where the range was to almost one hundred miles further, the final three are all under 50 miles from the ones in this post. As we explain throughout, you are lucky to be in such a great, centralized location at BLP, to have access to the amazing natural sights of one of the country’s most beautiful states. With just a bit of planning ahead, on your own schedule, the serenity of these amazing outdoor destinations is waiting to be admired.

For any more information on the Belmont Lake preserve new home community, visit belmontlakepreserve.com.

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Enjoy the Outdoors on These Amazing Hikes in North Carolina

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Since relocating to Rocky Mount and the Belmont Lake Preserve (BLP) community, you have seen the enjoyed the incredible outdoor activities locally. There is no question the combination of scenic beauty, trails, and parks nearby give you plenty of “fresh air” options. However, with your great centralized location at BLP, you are within a day drive of many incredible sights and places. For the true lover of the outdoors in your home, we have compiled a listing of the most breathtaking and awesome spots across NC to visit. We know you’ll appreciate the view, regardless of the drive time to reach any of these Hikes in North Carolina.

This article will be the first in a two-part series on Hikes in North Carolina. In this our opening post, we will look at the amazing trails that are closest to Belmont lake preserve and are a possible day drive trip. In the second piece, we will look at those a bit further away, but still within reasonable drive time and well worth a weekend spent in “god’s country.” Regardless of which of the ten total Hikes in North Carolina that you decide to start with, we are pretty sure that you will want to continue along and eventually visit the entire list.

The Most Spectacular Hikes in North Carolina Under 200 Miles from BLP

To begin our listing of these incredible Hikes in North Carolina, we will list the three closest to your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve among our picks. It is of note that while each of these trails offers an awe-inspiring view, none are incredibly long, so all that want to soak in the serene atmosphere can rest assured none are longer than five miles.

Sugarloaf Dune Trail- Carolina Beach State Park

The closest of our amazing 11 Hikes in North Carolina to Belmont Lake Preserve is unique to this list. The difference between Sugarloaf Dune Trail and the rest is this path is not in the mountains but in the dunes of Carolina Beach. Look in amazement at this 2.8-mile stroll through the incredible coastal habitat. A trip to the beach may be in order anyhow, but if not, here’s a good reason to take one.

Distance From Belmont Lake Preserve: 152 miles

Moore’s Wall Loop Trail-Hanging Rock State Park

While not on the beach, next among our Hikes in North Carolina is also unique in its own way to this list. As opposed to many of the “greener” trails we discuss, Moore’s Wall Loop Trail gives you unbelievable 360-degree views from a mostly rocky platform and backdrop. This brisk 4.3-mile trail is one of the most popular Hikes in North Carolina and is thought by many to be the perfect “beginner” hike.

Distance From Belmont Lake Preserve: 186 miles

Jomeokee Trail, Pilot Mountain, NC

This is another good one for the “beginning” trail hiker. Truly breathtaking scenery accompanies this entry to our Top Hikes in NC. In addition, there are many nooks and “sit-down” spots if you want to make a day of this 0.9-mile trail and its beautiful surroundings. If you enjoy this trail and get “the itch,” there are several more challenging trails in the immediate vicinity as well.

Distance From Belmont Lake Preserve: 189 miles

The Top Hikes in North Carolina Listings Continue

In the second article to follow this one on Hikes in North Carolina, we will look at those trails between 200 and 300 miles, but still with in a nice weekend trip away from Belmont Lake Preserve. The state of North Carolina and its gorgeous mountains, falls, and beaches have long been known, but maybe not quite so much for its scenic hiking trails. That is until now, as any or all of these trails and those to follow next post are truly one of a kind and a testament to the beauty of the “Tar Heel State.” 

For more information on the Belmont Lake Preserve new home community including homes currently available in the neighborhood, visit belmontlakepreserve.com.

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The Best NC BBQ Restaurants are Lip-Smackin’ Good

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No matter which style sauce or preparation you prefer. Regardless of if your “go-to” is ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken, or anything else. One thing that most can agree with across North Carolina is we love good barbecue. Since your choice to move into your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve, you are certainly nearby several fantastic local BBQ restaurants. But to continue with our second post of two, we have a few that have been given state-wide recognition in the “top five.” So, below, we will show you the last two of those voted in this elite company atop the Best NC BBQ Restaurants.

In the first post of this two part series, we looked at first three of the top five Best NC BBQ Restaurants. This is not only our own opinion, although each of these selections would certainly be tough to argue. All five of the restaurants we cover in this and the initial post were voted on by readers of the USA Today. The famous national publication annually holds its prestigious reader’s polls annually, with localized voting for each state in an array of categories. With the immense popularity of BBQ in the “Tar Heel State,” it’s no wonder that would be one of the areas voted upon by NC residents. 

(This is the second in a two post-series on the Best BBQ in NC. Our next post will cover the USA Today poll’s “top two.”)

The Best NC BBQ Restaurants: Well Worth the Trip

As noted in our opening post, the first three of the Best NC BBQ Restaurants were slightly close to your new home at Belmont Lake Preserve. However, the following two dynamite eateries are both with in a reasonable drive and certainly if in either area, the stop is a must! As any resident of either of the fine cities represented below can attest, BBQ heaven awaits behind the doors of both.

Stamey’s Barbecue, Greensboro

2206 West Gate City Boulevard is located in Greensboro. Which is in the state of North Carolina just like all its peers in our Best BBQ in NC list. That may seem obvious, other than the fact that this NC BBQ joint specializes in cooking their pork shoulder “Lexington-style.” This entails the slow cooking of said pork for 8-10 hours over hardwood coals. In addition to all the mouth-watering, goodness on Stamey’s menu, it is worth a spot on the Best BBQ in NC list alone for the fact that they introduced the hush puppy to the NC scene many years ago.

Midwood Smokehouse, Charlotte

Now any longtime NC resident had to know that the “Queen City” would in some way be on this list. Likewise, if local to Charlotte, there is a good chance you’ve smacked your lips over the great tastes coming from 1401 Central Avenue at Midwood Smokehouse. With such legendary BBQ tastes as hickory-smoked chopped pork, homemade slaw, and an SC -style mustard BBQ sauce, Midwood is a staple of Charlotte eating. Don’t forget to try the smoked or pulled chicken, beef brisket, burnt ends, and the St. Louis style pork ribs. We could go on, but then we may list the whole menu, no wonder this one made the Best BBQ in NC list.

Best BBQ in NC: The “Further 5”

In this list, we included five of the Top Ten Best BBQ in NC entries from the USA Today poll. The other five were a bit further of a trip from Rocky Mount, however, we have listed them here below and to read the entire post on their rankings, visit 10best.com.

  • Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge, Shelby
  • Willie Brooks BBQ, Waynesville
  • City Barbecue and Catering, Multiple Locations
  • Haywood Smokehouse, Waynesville and Dillsboro
  • Buxton Hall Barbecue, Asheville

As we stress in both of these articles, any and all of these delicious stops are well worthy of the recognition as among the Best NC BBQ Restaurants Best visit. Luckily for you, the prime location you chose at BLP makes it “never far from here.” To see more on your location in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve and its distance from major points across NC, visit the “Location” section at belmontlakepreserve.com.

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Where is the Best BBQ in NC?

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BBQ. Three letters that everyone in the state of North Carolina is very familiar with. Matter of fact, the only confusion over those letters would be over which kind of BBQ. So, now that you have opted for a new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve, you are officially a North Carolinian. Thus, these letters grow now in importance to you too. Just to give a helping hand, in this post, we will look to your fellow residents to point you toward the Best BBQ in NC.

For our listing and restaurants that will be included in the Best BBQ in NC, we used the trusted, daily publication, USA Today. Each year USA Today has a huge, nationwide poll, where readers’ in localized areas vote in a variety of categories. 

(This is the first in a two post-series on the Best BBQ in NC. Our next post will cover the USA Today poll’s “top two.”)

The Best BBQ in NC: The Closest BBQ to BLP

The purpose of this article is to lead you from your new home at BLP to the most delicious BBQ experiences possible. Thus, as we list the following restaurants as the Best BBQ in NC, we will start with those making the list closest in location to you. Trust us, when we say, you will get your BBQ fix and then some at any of these. However, this way, you know which to plan a trip for lunch. and which to plan a day journey for the state’s ultimate ‘cue.

The Pit, Durham 

Our first stop on the Best BBQ in NC tour finds us at 321 West Geer Street in Durham, home of The Pit. Now, this is a BBQ joint true to its name. As one can probably tell from that description, the secret to the Pit’s authentic NC BBQ is all in the “smoke.” Cooking all their whole hogs, chicken, brisket, and more in open smoke pits on location, the Pit always makes the Central Park area smell incredible. Using charcoal and wood chips to smoke their meats, the BBQ once finished can go “both ways.” In case not familiar, “both ways” would be the two ways of preparing the Best BBQ in NC. First is with a spicy vinegar BBQ kick or second, it gets sauced to perfection.

Southern Smoke BBQ, Garland 

Next up among the Best BBQ in NC, we head to Garland, NC. To be exact, 29 East Warren Street in Garland, home of Southern Smoke BBQ. No secret to the locals, this is and area favorite since 2010. Since then, husband and wife owners, Natt and Jessica Register have earned their name being among the Best BBQ in NC. The uniqueness of “Southern Smoke” is showcased by their slow cooking process. Likewise, the flavor they gather into their pork or chicken from oak wood coal slow cooking and both NC BBQ styles to choose from making this a must for BBQ lovers.

MeMa’s Chick’n and Ribs, Burgaw

Another fine BBQ establishment chose by the readers of USA Today for the Best BBQ in NC. Another fine BBQ establishment with a different “go-to” or signature plates. Well on your next “BBQ trip” we will head to 602 US-117 in Burgaw. Now, don’t get us wrong their BBQ classics are all to die for at “MeMa’s’ However, locally, people line up for the restaurant’s slow-smoked chicken or the meaty and hearty pork ribs. Don’ skimp on the sides here at MeMa’s either. Both the hushpuppies and Macaroni and Cheese have repeatedly won awards locally.

Any of these three restaurants are worth taking a trip for. Don’t forget to check back and see who are the other two “joints” atop the NC BBQ poll. To see more on your location in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve visit belmontlakepreserve.com.

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