Since moving up here, there are quite a few gardens that I’ve wanted to explore, the Daniel Stowe Conservancy (formally known as the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens) has been at the top of my list. This property, as a whole, spans over 380 acres, containing trails, a garden center, coffee shop, play area for children, and so much more. About 90 acres is simply gardens.
So, with the first day of school steadily creeping up on us, we decided to take off last Friday and check out a museum that we haven’t been to before – The Schiele Museum over in Gastonia. Bonus, it’s part of the ASTC Passport Program, meaning that you could get free or discounted admission through your membership at reciprocal museums.
Did you know there is a museum not too far from us where you can touch a piece of ore that is more than one billion years old?
Something most people wouldn’t guess about me is that I absolutely love comic conventions.
Back in college, I spent a week at San Diego Comic-Con conducting a field study on aggressive marketing tactics (yes, really) and even hosted my own panel. Since then, I’ve made the pilgrimage to Dragon Con in Atlanta more times than I can count, wandered through horror conventions, anime conventions, and just about every flavor of nerd gathering in between.
So when I heard that Hudson—a town of roughly 3,700 people—was hosting its own comic convention, I’ll admit I was skeptical.
Every year, thousands of enthusiasts gather across mountain towns to attend festivals dedicated to aliens, ghosts, Bigfoot, and other oddities. Whether you’re a true believer or just a curious traveler looking for an unforgettable weekend, these festivals are worth the trip.
Here’s a guide to some of the best cryptid and paranormal festivals lighting up Western North Carolina.