Patios that put out a water bowl without being asked. Trails that don't require leashes when nobody's looking. Breweries with a yard. Beaches off-season.
A state park spanning Burke and McDowell counties, about 50 miles northeast of Asheville — the Paddy's Creek area has a 700-foot swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards (May through September), a bathhouse, and a concession stand, plus canoe and kayak rentals.