Things To Do
Blue Ridge Parkway
Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway! It is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty and amazing hiking opportunities. The parkway, which is America's longest linear park, runs for 469 miles through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Favorite local hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway: Craggy Garden, Mount Pisgah, Graveyard Fields, and Black Balsam Knob
DuPont State Recreational Forest
DuPont State Recreational Forest is an outdoor lover's dream with many waterfalls and 86 miles of trails on protected 10,000 acres. Located between Brevard and Hendersonville, it's an easy 40-mile drive from Asheville. Most visitors flock to the three-mile roundtrip hike to three waterfalls (Hooker, Triple, and High Falls), but there's so much more to explore! Take a variety of waterfall and lake hikes, or trek to the top of Cedar Rock or Stone Mountain for mountain views. It's also one of North Carolina's best mountain biking and horseback riding areas.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
One of the country’s most celebrated resorts for its history, elegance, and southern charm. Ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports, and politics have stayed at this one-of-a-kind hotel. This historic resort offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, innovative and locally sourced restaurants, a Donald Ross designed golf course, an expansive tennis and fitness center, an award-winning Spa, and spacious convention facilities. This AAA Four-Diamond Property is listed on Fodor's "Top 10 Luxury Spa Resorts" and Travel + Leisure’s rankings of “Top Spa Resorts” in the world.
Places to Eat in Asheville
Top 10 Trip Advisor Restaurants in Asheville: Jettie Rae's Oyster House Jargon Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian Curate (address linked above) Roman's Nine Mile Sunny Point Cafe Chestnut Limones Plant Vegan Restaurant
The South Slope
"The South Slope" has eight breweries all within walking distance of each other. Some of the local favorites are Green Man, Funkatorium (Wicked Weed - address listed above) and Twin Leaf. Green Man has been brewing legendary English Style Ales since 1997. Funkatorium, offshoot of Wicked Weed Brewing, offers a wide selection of sour and wild beers. The tasting menu is created to complement their beer selection and wooded beer caskets give this venue an old world feel. The new kid on the block is Twin Leaf Brewing. With an exciting beer list, beer yoga on weekends and a selection of group games, this brewery is pushing the limits. This neighborhood is not solely about beer. Vortex Doughnuts offers hand crafted, locally sourced doughnuts and beverages. Next door to Vortex, Buxton Hall barbecue restaurant transformed a former skating rink, created by Chef Elliott Moss. French Broad Chocolate Factory has daily self-guided tours of the facility and chocolate tastings.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Western North Carolina is known for its love of food and passion for great craft beer. At the Mills River Taproom and Restaurant you’ll find an abundance of both. Visit the Taproom to sample one of their 23 beers on tap, many produced just a few feet from the restaurant. Beers are accompanied by artful, chef-driven food focused on small plate, sharable, whole animal and farm-to-table dishes sourced mainly from local suppliers. While you’re there, grab a beer and head outside to our Back Porch and Beer Garden to take in the views of the beautiful forest or stroll through our Mills River Estate Garden. We use the homegrown vegetables and herbs for our restaurant and small-scale pilot brewery.
Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls is one of the most popular falls in Western North Carolina. It is located inside Pisgah National Forest. The name "Looking Glass" comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and then glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. Looking Glass Creek, which flows past the rock, is also named for the impressive natural structure. Its easy accessibility makes Looking Glass Falls a popular spot for travelers along U.S. 276 near Brevard. The falls are 60 feet tall. Fun fact: Several Hollywood movies have been filmed inside Pisgah National Forest including: The Hunger Games, The Last of the Mohicans, and Hacksaw Ridge.
The North Carolina Arboretum
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.