Away from the summer buzz, Corolla quietens into a sleepy, seaside village in the winter. On this strip of sand, visitors find themselves immersed in the northernmost reaches of our state’s coast, where the coldest season is a chance to celebrate solitude. ourstate.com/winter-corolla/

Amid the season’s glittering lights and gleaming ornaments, one golden bauble shines brighter than the rest. In North Carolina, a cheese ball is the star around which all holiday gatherings orbit. ourstate.com/christmas-chees…

This dip has pep — red peppers, that is, plus feta cheese. ourstate.com/warm-feta-and-r…

Plan a weekend in this vibrant Southern city and stay in luxury surrounded by the Duke Forest. — With Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. ourstate.com/a-getaway-to-du…

During the longest nights of the year, the cozy glow of flickering flames — whether from candles or campfires — draws us close and binds us together. ourstate.com/kin-kindling-th…

Warm, melty cheese? Yes, please! ourstate.com/slow-cooker-che…

In a world of ever-accessible maps and GPS navigation, our Ramblin’ Man revels in the simplicity of standing on the beach in Morehead City and feeling physically rooted in the place he loves. Read more by clicking the link below. ourstate.com/facing-south/

Think you don’t like this sweet, dense Christmas classic? In Chatham County, the family behind Southern Supreme fruitcakes kindly asks you to reconsider. ourstate.com/southern-suprem…

This beloved family recipe is one to treasure for years to come. ourstate.com/fruitcake/

Follow U.S. Route 64 into the heart of North Carolina — and find your way into the past. ourstate.com/randolphcountya…

From zipping down the slopes to finding precious gemstones and meeting folk artists, here are six ways to embrace the winter months in the Blue Ridge. — With @ExploreBoone. ourstate.com/welcome-winter-…

These buttery, flaky cookies are studded with chopped pecans and double-coated in powdered sugar. ourstate.com/pecan-puffs/

Wilmington resident Nicholas “Nick” Newell was born on Christmas. Now an adult, he and his elves spread as much cheer as *another* Nicholas through his nonprofit, St. Nick’s Wishlist, which provides gifts to the elderly in assisted living facilities. ourstate.com/saint-nicholas-…

Forget the store-bought treat: Spread icing over these warm, homemade tarts and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar to impress children and adults alike. ourstate.com/brown-sugar-bre…

In the Outer Banks village of Rodanthe, locals have been celebrating Christmas on their own terms for more than 200 years. Today, they remember these traditions and pass them on to the next generation during Old Christmas. To read more, click below. ourstate.com/old-christmas-i…

A new take on a classic, with apologies to Clement C. Moore. ourstate.com/north-carolina-…

Let your heart be light: Many of these festive dishes can be made ahead — a bonus gift on Christmas morning. ourstate.com/a-merry-little-…

A space-curious writer ventures to Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute to discover the beauty of a midnight clear — and the childlike wonder it brings. To read more about her exploration, click the link below. ourstate.com/starstruck-pari…

Whether you’re hosting friends or family members or looking for your own cool weather fun, here’s where to ice-skate, catch a show, and more in the Queen City. — With @Charlottgotalot. ourstate.com/5-wintry-ways-t…

Loaded with chopped pecans and candied fruit, these soft and chewy cookies deliver fruitcake flavors in a fraction of the time. ourstate.com/fruitcake-cooki…