I went to Atlanta, land of Coca-Cola and cast iron—of fried chicken and peach pie, of fried green tomatoes, meat-and-three, and unapologetically messy hot dogs. The city moves fast, but it feeds you well—and not only in the culinary sense. There is a parallel feast of art: in museums, under bridges, along the Atlanta BeltLine, and in the overlooked spaces that most cities ignore.

There are partnerships that change lives—and then there are the quiet, steady bonds that rebuild them from the ground up. At Canines for Service, transformation begins with trust: a Veteran, a dog, and a connection that grows into something deeply life-changing.

Spring doesn’t arrive all at once—it stretches the days, softens the evenings, and invites you to slow down with something refreshing in hand. At Dram & Draught Wilmington, that seasonal shift is captured not just in a glass, but in an entire experience.

Charlotte doesn’t so much announce itself as reveal itself—slowly, generously, and often over a good meal. Once a city of pressed suits and predictable steakhouse menus, it has loosened its collar. In their place: small plates with big ideas, cocktails that showoff season and place, and kitchens where Southern cooking is less about tradition for tradition’s sake and more about reinvention.

Luxury, these days, is everywhere—or at least, it tries to be. Glossy brands, rooftop pools, perfectly framed interiors designed to be seen as much as felt. But long after check-out, what actually stays with you? What feels real, rather than rehearsed? That question lingered as I arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel Fort Lauderdale.

For Executive Chef Jon Mitchell, the path to Perla Raw Bar feels both intentional and serendipitous. A Chapel Hill native with deep ties to Coastal North Carolina, Mitchell returned to the region after honing his craft in New York City, drawn by both a personal pull toward the coast and the opportunity to help shape something new.

At Evoke Mind + Body, therapy is more than a conversation—it’s a collaborative, whole-person approach to healing that meets you exactly where you are. With locations in Wilmington and Leland, the practice was founded on a simple but powerful idea: that mental health care should be accessible, personalized, and deeply human.

After 15 years in internal medicine, Dr. Chris Sepich witnessed the consequences firsthand. From ICU rooms to hospice care, he saw families struggle to interpret a patient’s wishes—sometimes leading to delayed care, fractured relationships, or even legal battles. Now, he’s stepping in with a first-of-its-kind solution.

At Di+Thurma Wilmington, wellness begins with a deeply personal mission. Founded by Andrea Reed, a hospital pharmacist who has spent decades witnessing the long-term consequences of chronic illness, the concept grew from a desire to shift the conversation from treating disease to preventing it.

At Tomiko-San, Executive Chefs James Nash and Bobby Watkins embrace Japanese cuisine with reverence and innovation. The veteran collaborators share a mission to introduce Wilmington diners to an authentic, nuanced presentation of Japanese food, grounded in tradition, precision, and deep respect for ingredients.

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Southeast is a playground for road-trip adventurers.

More of us are looking for alternatives to our fitness regime. Luckily, we know new and fun options to get and stay fit in Wilmington, NC.

We know that health and wellness are front & center on our minds and we're looking for the best ways to nurture mind & body.

Our top Wilmington yoga picks offer far more than a place to roll out a mat and get a good workout.

Looking for beautiful latte art, ethically sourced beans, or fun, one-of-a-kind beverages? Here are our top picks.

At Made Well Center, wellness is viewed as something far deeper than the absence of symptoms—it is the ability to move through life with steadiness, resilience, and a sense of connection to both mind and body. Rooted in an integrative, whole-person philosophy, the center brings together counseling, coaching, yoga therapy, nutrition support, and immersive healing experiences to create care that is personalized rather than prescriptive. We caught up with Buffy Andrews, founder

With a career rooted in Maine and shaped by two decades of experience across a wide range of kitchens, the Executive Chef at The Sounder brings a thoughtful, globally influenced approach to Coastal American cuisine.

Rooted in memory, water, and community, The Sounder is more than Wilmington’s newest coastal restaurant—it’s a love letter to the Cape Fear way of life.

As icy winter weather sweeps over the Cape Fear region, cocktails turn inward. Brightness gives way to depth. Citrus softens, bitterness deepens, and drinks slow down—meant to be held, not rushed. This is the season of stirred spirits, fortified wines, smoke, fat-washing, and quiet complexity. Cocktails that feel intentional. Protective. Built for long nights and cold air.

Each month, Cape Fear Living spotlights coastal vacation property from Sea Scape Properties, spanning from Ocean Isle Beach to North Topsail Beach. These hand-picked retreats offer more than just a place to stay — they’re backdrops for lifelong memories, whether you’re planning a family reunion, a dream wedding, or a simple escape to unwind.