News & Events

This is the sweetest time of year to enjoy an outdoor stroll while sipping hot chocolate or indulging in homemade treats made by a friend and loved one. Lenoir North Carolina is an easy walking mountain town that has four mild seasons and a rarely a blanket of snow, that when it does, it doesn’t stick.

It’s when we love to wear our wool socks, soft cashmere sweaters, and sip hot apple cider in the NC mountain communities. And at night at this time of the year, the clear sky reveals millions of stars to make a Christmas wish upon.

Did you know the Lenoir-Hickory-Morganton metropolitan area is filled with delicious bakeries, in addition to apple orchards and pumpkin patches that are fun for the whole family?

If you’re looking for a Pumpkin Spice cupcake or a smooth cup of hot chocolate, look no further than these stellar restaurants and bakeries found within minutes of the gated communities near Asheville NC. Here’s a few of our favorites:

Cornerstone Bakery

(2131 N Center St. Hickory, NC | (828) 324-9994) – Locally owned and family operated, Cornerstone has a wide selection of cupcakes, cookies, cake truffles, cinnamon buns, danishes, brownies, and more. 4-5 new cupcake flavors are unveiled each week. Stop by and try a homemade warm Red Velvet cookie or their famous tiramisu.

Café Rule

(242 11th Ave NE Hickory, NC | (828) 324-2005) – Café Rule has one motto: “Life is Short. Have Dessert.” The bakery portion of the restaurant offers Pecan Pie Cheesecake, Nilla Wafer Bread Pudding, a Warm Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich, a Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and their signature Strawberry Fool, which is stewed strawberries on Texas toast topped with whipped cream.

Highland Coffeehouse

(113 Main St NW Lenoir, NC) – Do you like good coffee, great atmosphere, and even better hot chocolate? Highland Coffeehouse is a cute café spot that has fresh baked goods, locally sourced coffee, and White Hot Chocolate. Bring your laptop and do a little work outside of the house, or come later in the evening for performances from local acts.

My Local Bakery

(109 N Sterling St. Morganton, NC | (828) 432-7343) – This sweet spot offers hot Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate, Apple Turnovers, Apple Uglies, cannolis, full-sized cakes, and gourmet jumbo cupcakes. There are even special occasion cakes available for your dog! Custom cake options are available as well.

Abele’s Family Restaurant

(2115 S Sterling St. Morganton, 28655 | (828) 433 – 5400)  – Abele’s offers many different delicious desserts including apple pie, Hot Apple Dumplings, pecan pie, cheesecake, carrot cake, and fresh strawberry pie. Come on down and order an Old Fashioned Milkshake with your slice!

If you enjoy hayrides, corn mazes and picnics while you’re looking for NC mountain cabins or sale, these three spots in our area your family will love:

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

(57 Sugar Hollow Road Fairview, NC) – The Hickory Nut Gap farm has dozens of Fall festivities that are fun for the whole family. This includes The Corn Maze, Hay Climb, Kiddie Cart Rides, Petting Zoo, Hay Rides, Horse Rides, and more. Visit the pumpkin patch and apple orchard and head home ready for pumpkin carving and pie baking. There are also barn dances every Friday from 6-9.

Apple Hill Orchard Cider Mill

(2075 Pleasant Hill Avenue Morganton, NC) – Apple Hill provides a fun time for the whole family. Tour the Cider Mill, browse the country store, pick from dozens of apple varieties, or enjoy freshly baked pies and friend apples from the bakery.

Perry Lowe Orchards

(8741 NC Hwy 16 N Moravian Falls, NC | (828) 632 – 7913) – Perry Lowe pasteurizes their own apple cider. Try Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Suncrisp, Goldrush, and a Mix cider made up of 4 different apples. Perry Lowe also dries their own apples, and has dried apples available in over 10 different varieties. Tours are by appointment only.

Lenoir is also home to The Coves Mountain River Club, gaining a reputation as one of the best gated communities near Asheville NC. Our perfect mountain paradise has a community garden and vineyard, miles and miles of hiking trails, a full service equestrian center, a mountaintop lodge with beautiful sunset views looking over an infinity-view swimming pool, and more.

If you’ve been looking into NC mountain cabins for sale, look no more. We can quickly build them in all shapes and sizes. Choose from stunning views of Grandfather Mountain and Table Rock Mountain, live near the crystal clear Johns Creek, or among the fresh air forest with a private wooded setting.

Come check out one of the most dazzling NC mountain communities in the Carolinas. On December 2, 2017 is our last Cook-off competition of the year at our stunning mountain summit clubhouse. The delicious theme is apple pie and chilli and you’re invited.

Call us at 828.754.0700 for more info and to schedule a tour!