Asheville
Sierra Nevada Brewing plans to open a taproom and restaurant in Mills River by summer 2014. The Chico, Calif.-based company is famous for its Pale Ale and Torpedo beers, and the construction is part of a recent influx of nationally recognized craft beers to the Asheville area.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Gorge Zip Line Canopy Tours opened this year near Saluda. It is billed as the fastest and steepest zip-line canopy tour in the country. The three-hour excursion consists of 11 linked sections and drops more than 1,100 feet.
Charlotte
Sheraton Charlotte Hotel opened in August, and Le Meridien Charlotte is scheduled to open in January 2014, both as part of a $20 million dual-hotel development and renovation. The hotels will share 55,000 square feet of function space and a total of six restaurants. The Sheraton has 306 guest rooms, and the Le Meridien will offer 305 guest rooms.
Greensboro
The Grensboro Science Center unveiled the new SciQuarium, an “inland aquarium” filled with interactive exhibits focusing on endangered water-dependent animals, part of the center’s participation in the Association of Zoo & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan program. The center is available for private events and corporate gatherings.
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Greensboro completed a renovation of its lobby and guest rooms this fall. Local developer Randall Kaplan also announced plans to work with Wyndham in developing a new $40 million conference center hotel that could open by 2015.
Triangle Region
A 125-room 21c Hotel is slated to open in 2015 inside Durham’s 12-story historic Hill Building, which was designed by the same architectural firm as the Empire State Building.
The boutique Holland Hotel is expected to open in 2014. The property will be located in a renovated and restored bank building that was built in 1968 and features a soaring tower. The 54-room property will also offer a rooftop bar.
A 142-room Hampton Inn & Suites hotel opened in Carrboro with 3,000 square feet of function space.
The Historic Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill recently completed a $19 million renovation, updating its 185 guest rooms, the lobby and public spaces. The property’s 14,000 square feet of function space, including three ballrooms, was previously updated. The hotel is located near the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and also offers extensive outdoor event space.
DMO’s throughout North Carolina’s Triangle area launched a new site promoting local agritourism. TriangleGrown showcases farms, bakeries, markets, food tours and culinary events such as chef’s dinners.
Inner Banks
The small coastal town of Edenton celebrated its 300th anniversary as a town at the end of 2013. Tourist attractions include fishing, antique shopping, art galleries, bed and breakfast inns and the oldest courthouse in the state.