From hate crimes to natural disasters, bad things can happen no matter where you live. But it seems some states do a better job of keeping their residents safer than others. North Carolina is one of the safest states in America. But how safe is NC? Where did we fall on this list?
- WalletHub's annual list of the Safest States in America has just come out. They rank all 50 states based on 52 key indicators of safety in five main categories: personal & residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety and emergency preparedness.
- They compared everything from assaults per capita to the total loss amount from climate disasters to the unemployment rate to come up with the list.
- North Carolina made the top 20! Coming in at number 19. We scored high in road safety and financial safety. We scored low in workplace safety.
- South Carolina scored a 39 overall.
- Vermont tops the list as the safest state once again, it’s number one for workplace safety, second for financial safety and fourth for personal & residential safety.
- Connecticut, sixth overall, is first for personal and residential safety, while Utah, fourth overall, is number one for financial safety.
- New Hampshire, third overall, is first for road safety and Alaska, 24th overall, is number one for emergency preparedness.
- At the bottom of the list is Louisiana, making it the least safe state. It’s 49th for both emergency preparedness and financial safety.
Top 10 Safest States in the Country
(Check out where your state lands on the list here)
- Vermont
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- Rhode Island
- Wyoming
The 10 Least Safe States in the Country
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Texas
- Florida
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Colorado
- Montana
- Missouri
North Carolina Apple Orchard Voted One Of The Best In The Nation
Check your calendars, people! September is here, and October isn't far behind. If you're looking forward to doing some apple picking I have good news for you! A North Carolina apple orchard was voted one of the best in the nation. The website Study Finds put out it's best Orchards in the country list recently. Travel experts voted on the 5 best.
Apple picking can be a great family activity. Heck, even if you don't have a family it can be fun! It allows people to spend quality time together, bond, and create lasting memories.
Many orchards also offer activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and petting zoos, making it a fun outing for families and friends. Apple picking offers a chance to spend time outdoors, away from the usual urban areas. It's honestly a refreshing change and an opportunity to enjoy nature and the changing seasons.
I appreciate the opportunity to connect with nature and see the source of their food firsthand. Picking apples directly from trees can offer your kids an appreciation for where food comes from and how it grows.
Orchards with rows of apple trees, the fall foliage, and the overall rustic setting provide picturesque backgrounds for photographs. Many people enjoy taking photos during their apple-picking trips. You'll see your Instagram fill up with these pictures right after Labor Day.
In essence, apple picking is more than just about harvesting apples; it's about the experience, the connection to nature, and the sense of tradition and community that it brings.
North Carolina has plenty of spots to spend the day apple picking. My wife and I enjoy going to Hendersonville to pick there. There's some great apple picking in spots closer to Charlotte too. Carrigan Farms is one of those. But one North Carolina apple orchard is on the top of the list. Let's have a look!
1. Mercier Orchards Blueridge, Georgia
Welcome to Georgia (Getty)
Nothing says apple-picking like the "Peach State." Well, it's true. Mercier Orchards in Blueridge, Georgia takes the top spot on the list. The veteran-owned orchard also features a winery with hard cider tastings. Yumm!
2. Jaswell’s Farm (Smithfield, Rhode Island)
fotoguy22/ Getty Images CreativeWho would think Rhode Island was home to a great orchard? They are apparently. Study Finds says the apple fritters are to die for. Then they also have caramel/chocolate/Oreo-covered apples. Yummm! I'm going!
3. Sky Top Orchard (Flat Rock, North Carolina)
(Shutterstock)
Home sweet home! Sky Top in Flat Rock has been running for decades! They offer more than 20 apple varieties to pick from August through October. The farm is huge with over 100 acres atop Mount McAlpine in Flat Rock. Perfect for picture taking!
4. Carter Mountain Orchard (Charlottesville, VA)
(Photo by Jeff T. Green/Getty Images)
At Carter Mountain Orchard you can pick over 20 varieties of apples. Good ones like; Fuji, Pink Lady, and York. There's hayrides around the property and enjoying fresh-pressed apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, and wine. While there you can take in the views from the observation deck overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.
5. Applecrest Farm Orchards (Hampton Falls, New Hampshire)
AndrewSoundarajan/GettyMy cousin swears New Hampshire is a great place. I've never been. But he goes to his vacation house near Applecrest Farm Orchards. You can listen to bluegrass music, go apple picking, jump on hayrides too!
