This North Carolina Favorite Festival Made List Of Best In The Nation

This is my favorite time of year hands down.  I love the Fall, football games, fairs and festivals.  And, there's one North Carolina favorite festival that made a list of best in the nation of its kind.  Travel Awaits recently published their list of "13 Best Renaissance Fairs In The U.S."  And, The Carolina Renaissance Festival in North Carolina made the list.

We love the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville.  And, it's one we look forward to every year.  Plus, I have to say many of our friends ask us every season if we have extra tickets to pass their way.  They know we have a few connections through our work.  And, if possible we always hook them up.  Guests attending the festival love to dress in costume and enjoy giant turkey legs and all the performances on 14 stages.

This year the Carolina Renaissance Festival takes place September 30 through November 19 on Saturdays and Sundays.  And, prepare to shop hand crafted items from over 100 artisans.  Many people I know use this as an opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping.  Also, fans love the jousting that is a daily event.  And, don't forget the Living Mermaids.

And, take some advice from seasoned Renaissance Festival North Carolina attendees when it comes to making purchases.  The best idea is to take cash.  Their site says many vendors are "cash only."  And, the festival grounds have 14 ATMs.  However, the lines tend to be long.  So, plan accordingly.  As for tickets Adults ages 13 and up are $32.00.  Children 5-12 are $20.00.  Of course, kids 4 and under are free.  And, parking is free courtesy of Harris Teeter.

So, make sure to visit this North Carolina favorite festival that made Travel Awaits list of best in the nation.  And, see here to browse their full list of some of the other "bests" in the nation.

Have you created your fall bucket list yet? This weekend is Labor Day and the unofficial kick-off to fall. The kids are back in school, football is back, and pumpkin spice lattes are in Starbucks. Now the weather just needs to catch up. But soon we will be in sweaters, with leaves falling around us, surrounded by pumpkins and the smell of fresh cider. Which means it's time to plan for the best season of the year. So I'm here with some must-do activities in North Carolina this fall.

So get your boots on, it’s time to Fall in love with Fall. There is no shortage of fun activities to partake in across the state of North Carolina this September through November. Which is your favorite part of the season? The leaves falling, the pumpkin carving, or all the delicious beverages to taste. I just want to scream "It's fall y'all". Except it still feels like a sauna outside currently, and this weekend it was too hot to even go to the pool. Which left me with plenty of time to daydream about the cooler weather and all the fun to be had.  I even put my football pumpkin on my porch because it's time ladies and gentlemen, it's time!

There is no shortage of breweries in Charlotte and across the state. Which means there is no shortage of pumpkin beer this time of year. My personal favorite? NoDa Brewing Company's "Gordegous". But there is no wrong answer when it comes to pumpkin beer.

College or NFL it doesn't matter! Fall is made for football. Take in a Panthers game, the Dukes Mayo College Kickoff battle of the Carolinas, or do as I do and road trip to a college game!

What's fall without pumpkins? And sure you could pick one up at the grocery store but what fun would that be. Instead visit a local farm including Hodges Family Farm, Millstone Creeks Orchard, Cotton Hills Farm, and Hunter Farm to pick your own pumpkins!

Test your problem solving (and patience) with a corn maze. This family-friendly activity will have you laughing and bonding with those you love. There are several mazes in the Charlotte area including at Hall Family Farm, Awe Shucks, and Kersey Valley.

If you haven't been to Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery yet make this the year you finally do. Windy HIll offers apple picking, apple cider donuts, alcholic /non-alcholic drinks and good old family fun.

Whether you choose to stroll a greenway, take a walk in your neighborhood, or venture out for a hike at a park like Kings Mountain. Maybe head to Asheville to experience leaf season in the mountains. It's not fall without seeing the leaves change and letting them crunch under your feet.

You're not scared are you? There are tons of screams to be had across the Carolinas at Scarowinds, Kersey Valley Spookywoods, and more.