North Carolina: A Tale of Two Three Cities

Tour Dates: April 21-26, 2027
Tour Arrival: Wednesday, April 21, 2027 – Arrive at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Tour Departure: Monday, April 26, 2027 – Depart from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) for Global Week in Bentonville, Arkansas
Cities/Towns Visited: Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte

Discover North Carolina through three distinct cities and a rich culinary culture that tell the story of the state – from its legendary Eastern- and Western-style barbecue, to coastal seafood, to a booming farm-to-table movement. Beginning in Raleigh, experience a capital city where award-winning chefs, craft beverages and Southern traditions meet a thriving arts and cultural scene. Continue to Durham, tasting your way through a celebrated food city shaped by bold creativity, rich history and an unmistakable sense of place.

Then head west to Charlotte, where the Queen City’s dynamic dining scene pairs with vibrant neighborhoods, culture and urban energy. Across five nights and three cities, journalists will discover how food provides a window into North Carolina’s communities, connecting culinary traditions and contemporary creativity with the people and places that give each destination its own identity. It’s one delicious introduction to the diverse flavors and experiences of North Carolina.

Destination Highlights:

Raleigh – “Capital City Flavor”
North Carolina’s capital combines an evolving culinary scene with arts, culture and Southern traditions. Award-winning chefs and craft beverages provide a flavorful introduction to the state, while Raleigh’s cultural energy offers opportunities to discover the people and ideas shaping the city today.

Durham – “Bold Flavor, Creative Spirit”
Durham has developed a celebrated food culture defined by creativity and a strong sense of place. Its culinary scene provides a lens for exploring the city’s rich history and contemporary character, connecting distinctive flavors with the people and communities behind them.

Charlotte – “The Queen City’s Urban Energy”
Charlotte brings together dynamic dining, vibrant neighborhoods, culture and big-city energy. Two nights in the Queen City provide an opportunity to experience how food and community intersect in one of North Carolina’s most energetic urban destinations.

Culinary

Food is the thread connecting all three cities, with each destination offering its own interpretation of North Carolina flavor.

Raleigh
Award-winning chefs, craft beverages and Southern culinary traditions introduce visitors to a capital city where established flavors meet contemporary creativity.

Durham
A celebrated food scene showcases Durham’s bold personality and unmistakable sense of place. Culinary experiences offer opportunities to explore how creativity, history and community have influenced the city’s identity.

Charlotte
The Queen City’s dynamic dining scene reflects the energy of a growing urban destination. Food experiences pair naturally with Charlotte’s neighborhoods and cultural attractions, offering another perspective on North Carolina’s evolving culinary story.

Arts and Culture

Raleigh
A thriving arts and cultural scene complements Raleigh’s culinary offerings, allowing journalists to explore the creative side of North Carolina’s capital alongside its food and beverage traditions.

Durham
Rich history and bold creativity are central to Durham’s character. The city’s cultural identity provides context for its celebrated culinary scene and creates opportunities to tell stories that connect food with a deeper sense of place.

Charlotte
Charlotte’s culture and urban energy provide a dynamic backdrop for exploring the Queen City. Its dining scene, neighborhoods and cultural experiences combine to reveal a destination shaped by growth and creativity.

Neighborhoods

Raleigh
Raleigh offers a capital-city experience where food, craft beverages, arts and Southern traditions come together, creating opportunities to experience North Carolina culture through both established institutions and contemporary local life.

Durham
Durham’s distinctive sense of place is reflected in its food culture, history and creative spirit. Exploring the city provides opportunities to connect its celebrated culinary reputation with the communities that have shaped it.

Charlotte
Charlotte’s vibrant neighborhoods add character to the Queen City’s dining and cultural scenes. Exploring these areas provides a closer look at the urban energy and local experiences that distinguish Charlotte within North Carolina.

Story Ideas

North Carolina: From Southern Traditions to Modern Tables
Explore how southern culinary traditions are being interpreted by a new generation of North Carolina chefs, and how they’re broadening the definition of southern cuisine in the modern south.

1. Three Cities, One Delicious Journey Through North Carolina
   Compare Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte through their distinct culinary identities and explore what each reveals about North Carolina today.
2. Capital Flavors: Eating and Drinking Through Raleigh
   Discover how award-winning chefs, craft brewers and Southern traditions are shaping the culinary identity of North Carolina’s capital.
3. Why Durham is a Celebrated Food City
   Recognized as one of America’s “Foodiest Small Towns” by Bon Appetit, explore the creativity, history and sense of place behind Durham’s culinary reputation.
4. Dining in the Queen City: Charlotte’s Emerging Food Scene
   Discover how food, cocktails, farmers & producers reflect the energy of this growing city.

Limited spots are available, and these global media fams are offered first-come, first-serve. Don’t delay – contact your recruiter today to begin your exploration of North Carolina.