BROWN MOUNTAIN BEACH RESORT
YURTS ON THE RIVER
Not only do these yurts have the river in its backyard, they’re right next to the Pisgah National Forest.
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Wolf Moon Salt CAve: A Relaxing Retreat in Lenoir
Wolf Moon Salt Cave in Caldwell County specializes in the healing art of halotherapy, yoga, and other stress reducing activities. I had never been in a salt cave before, but it was a next level experience after our hour long full body massage session. Our time there...
Taste of Havana: Delicious Cuban Food in Lenoir
Taste of Havana brings a Latin flavor flare of authentic Cuban food to Lenoir in the foothills of North Carolina. Not many would expect to find amazing, authentic Cuban food made by a Cuban woman in Caldwell County. Taste of Havana defies expectations with its vibrant...
Hole Lotta Doughnuts
At Hole Lotta Doughnuts, the primary focus is handcrafting the perfect glazed yeast doughnut and sharing a "whole lotta" love with the customer in the process. Hole Lotta Doughnuts strives to provide quality food and a fun, family-centered atmosphere for patrons in...
Happy Valley Filling Station: Creating Community in Lenoir With Pizza & Beer
Happy Valley Filling Station provides mouth-watering pizza and craft beers to the Happy Valley region of Lenoir, NC. Being both a pizzeria and a brewery has led them to coin the term "Brewzeria." That creative spirit has been there from the start. Owners Jesse and...
Betsey’s OLE Country Store
If you find yourself in Caldwell County enjoying Wilson Creek, be sure to stop by Betsey's Ole Country Store. Situated deep in the Pisgah National Forest, the building was constructed back in 1924 when the town of Mortimer was a bustling lumber hub. It began welcoming...
Hart’s General Store And Creamery
Hart’s General Store and Creamery combines family farm fun with delicious ice cream in an old time country atmosphere.
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Stay inspired with indulgent dining recommendations and picturesque travel experiences throughout North Carolina – all told from Megan’s point-of-view with a little real-life humor and down-to-earth charm. Sign up to our weekly newsletters and receive the latest in local wanderlusting right to your inbox.
Hi, I am Megan.
CHIEF CURATOR / TASTER / EXPLORER
As the proud founder of NC Eat & Play, I want to welcome you to our community. We want to be your destination for local wanderlusting in North Carolina. I created this space to help locals discover great food and activities for sensible budgets and everyday play. I’m proud to serve as a Chief Curator and influencer for North Carolinians, where every day, my team and I highlight and celebrate local businesses and establishments in North Carolina.
Like many, I consider my home the center of everything. I live in the greater Raleigh area where many of the food and play stories are naturally covered, but not all. I have a large audience following us from all over the state, and I participate in covering cities and towns far and wide as much as possible.
“We wholeheartedly want to inspire others to live abundantly local and enjoy all the riches of North Carolina.” – Megan Nichols
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Fun Features
Raleigh History Bites: Q&A with Pamela Salamanca of Raleigh’s Oldest Mexican Restaurant, Dos Taquitos
Dos Taquitos Restaurant, Raleigh’s most beloved and oldest Mexican restaurant, has been serving the Triangle since 1991. Owner, Pamela Salamanca, inherited the restaurant from her father who founded Dos Taquitos after emigrating to the States. We sat down with Pamela...
Brown Mountain Beach Resort: Yurts on the River in NC
Brown Mountain Beach Resort blew us away with its incredible yurts with hot tubs positioned on the river in Western NC.
NORTH CAROLINA’S NODA BREWING JUST DROPPED YOUR NEW FAVORITE BEER: YUP, CHEERWINE ALE IS HERE.
Sunshine, outdoor dining, wanderlusting through the state with a cold one in hand- after the last few weeks of wintry weather, all that's on our mind is the return of summer, and Cheerwine is making that a little easier to do with its latest collaboration. Cheerwine,...
JD’S Smokehouse: Must Try BBQ in WNC
If I'm passing through Western NC and the foothills, I always make a pit stop at JD's Smokehouse, a casual BBQ joint with excellent food. Something about deliciously seasoned meat, succulent sides, and mouthwatering desserts seems to hit different after a long hike or...
Wilson Creek: Swimming Holes, Waterfalls, and Adventure in WNC
Wilson Creek, a hidden gem in Caldwell County has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River for over 20 years.
The New Era of the NC Courage
In many ways, this is a new brand era for the NC Courage. The team itself will look almost entirely different from years past, with tons of fresh faces and the departure of several familiar ones. On Tuesday, January 31st, the club showcased its commitment to keeping...
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