Wilkes County Media

Why Wilkesboro?

The Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will make your life easy by providing “one-stop shopping.” One call or e-mail to the friendly, helpful Wilkesboro TDA does it all – from story ideas to coordinating a visit to the area.

You’ll be surprised at the wide variety of potential story ideas here. You can write about anything from the award-winning local vineyards to the Wilkes County connection between moonshine and NASCAR.

The Wilkes County area offers breathtaking mountain views, historic buildings and interesting folklore, exciting outdoor activities, pleasant year-round temperatures, easy urban access, and famous Southern hospitality. Wilkes County is easily accessible on major highways and is less than one hour from Winston-Salem or Charlotte.

For more information or assistance, please fill out our on-line information request form or e-mail [email protected].

Story Ideas

“White Lightning” to “Lightning Fast”:

Explore the Wilkes County connection between moonshine and NASCAR by learning about the early days of Junior Johnson, NASCAR great and Wilkes County native. Johnson, while hauling “white lightning” through North Carolina's Brushy Mountains, invented the "bootleg turn" in which a moonshine hauler evaded pursuing revenuers by jamming the car into second gear and turning the steering wheel sharply to the left, spinning the car 180 degrees. Using his lightning fast moonshine driving techniques as a race car driver, Junior Johnson soon held NASCAR track records throughout the country, and was named the greatest NASCAR driver of all time by Sports Illustrated magazine.

The soundtrack of our life:

Generations of music continue to be passed down to numerous talented local musicians. Catch a sampling of this at the weekly Hometown Opry every Friday morning at Minton Music and Pawn Shop. Interview music legends and celebrities at world-famous MerleFest, the four-day Americana music festival which draws over 80,000 people to Wilkes County each April.

Extreme sports more your speed?

Story possibilities abound. Bike the Dark Mountain Trail, rated one of the best mountain biking trails in the U.S. Scale the heights rock-climbing the 600-foot granite cliff face at Stone Mountain State Park. Compete in a BMX race at one of only four ABA-sanctioned BMX tracks in North Carolina, or try hangliding from a mountain-top orchard.

Writing for oenophiles? Or for readers who wouldn’t know a Chambourcin from a Chenin Blanc?

North Carolina’s wine industry is one of the fastest growing in the country – from just 15 wineries to over 40 in less than 5 years! In Wilkes County, area winemakers are just as happy to teach the basics about varietals and grapes to a novice wine drinker as they are to discuss terroir and bouquet with a wine connoisseur. Here you’ll find high quality wines in comfortable, friendly environments (no snob factor here!) Start at romantic and stunningly picturesque Raffaldini Vineyards - step into the sunny Italian farmhouse tasting room to try Tuscan-style wine, as you enjoy the rare paintings and sculptures inside, and the gorgeous landscaping and spectacular views of the mountains and foothills outside. Head over to Elkin Creek Vineyard, whose restaurant was raved about by the New York Times. Continue on to explore the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail, with over 15 wineries within an hour’s drive of Wilkes County.

Is history your thing?

Explore the Wilkes County connections to Tom Dula, the subject of the popular song “Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley,” and to Daniel Boone, who had a home in Wilkes County. Feature Chang & Eng, the original Siamese twins who were a worldwide phenomenon in the 1800s, and who settled here in Wilkes County. Trace the Overmountain Victory Trail, which follows the route of assembly of the American Patriot army during the Revolutionary War. The trail covers over 200 miles in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, winding right through the heart of Wilkes County.

Sample Itineraries

For some itinerary examples, please download the PDF document below by clicking on the image: