Just because summer is over doesn’t mean that vacation time has to end. Fall weekend getaways and day trips are a great way to spend fun quality time with loved ones and explore new things. Our friends at Surry County are currently offering Charlotte Smarty Pants readers a chance to win dinner for two at the beautiful Harvest Grill at Shelton Vineyards (with a bottle of wine included of course) in Dobson. Click here to enter for a chance to win. Wahoo, Smarty Charlotte, read on about all the fun Surry County has to offer – did someone say Shelton wine, I’m in?!
So what’s a great destination for those in Charlotte looking for a weekend outing? Surry County! Convenient to Charlotte, Surry is just a short ride up the road. Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy, and Pilot Mountain are the towns that make up Surry and each have their own appeal for vacationers.
For those who love the outdoors, Surry County is an ideal place to visit. Outdoor adventures are accompanied by unmatched views of pristine rivers, rolling foothills and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiking and biking are favorite pastimes for visitors as well as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding and golfing, just to name a few. An exciting day can be spent exploring the miles of trails at Pilot Mountain National Park and enjoying a picnic lunch with the family. The numerous trails vary in difficulty to suit any skill level and, no matter which you choose, all paths promise breath-taking vistas and lookouts.
For couples that enjoy wine and would like to explore great NC wines, Surry’s Yadkin Valley Wine Region is a must see. With over 30 notable and award-winning wineries and vineyards in the area, it is certainly an up-and-coming viniculture tour de force. A requisite stop for weekenders is Shelton Vineyards in Dobson. It is one of the most popular vineyards in the area and the largest family owned estate winery in NC. Tours and tastings are offered every day and include a guided tour of the winery, an overview of the wine making process and a sampling of five Shelton wines.
Surry County is also home to some great festivals. Coming up in September, Mount Airy, known as “America’s Hometown”, will host its 22nd annual Mayberry Days Festival, a four-day celebration of yesteryear that will take place Sept. 22-25. Mayberry Days encompasses a variety of events such as great live music, a Mayberry Days Parade, checkers tournament, championship barbecue cook-off, games and activities for the kids and a guarantee of a whole lot of fun.
Taking place on the same weekend and just a short drive away is the popular Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival, held on Saturday, September 23rd in downtown Elkin. This fall celebration begins at 9am with the annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Main Street, where growers from all over the East Coast bring their pumpkins (some can weigh in excess of 1,000 lbs!) in the hopes of placing in the top ten. Streets are packed with vendors offering everything from funnel cakes to pottery, handcrafted furniture to wine racks, barbecue to baked goods. Plus, there is plenty of entertainment for the kids with a variety of family-friendly activities.
The upcoming 45th annual Autumn Leaves Festival is another event sure to please the entire family. Held October 14-16 in downtown Mount Airy, this popular event is all about music, craftsmanship and fun. The Festival will host more than 250 craftsmen demonstrating traditional artisan skills alongside nationally renowned musicians playing bluegrass, old-time and gospel music. Main Street will be filled with craft booths, activities and a food section, dubbed “Food for the Soul”. This is an event sure to build fond memories for those who visit.
Another great promotion Surry is currently offering is open to anyone stopping by their website. Site visitors can enter for a chance to win a Very Surry Getaway for two. The Getaway includes lodging at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Elkin, an award winning new hotel, and dinner for two at the famous Twenty One & Main Wine Bar & Restaurant. The winning couple will then be able to choose three activities from a list such as a wine tour, massages, golf, a tour of Mayberry, horseback riding, or canoeing/kayaking the Yadkin River. Visit www.VerySurry.com for a chance to win.
