Print Farms, Gardens & Countryside
Experience the flora and fauna of an Asheville spring
1 night / 2 days
Highlights: WNC Farmers Market; North Carolina Arboretum; Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park; Biltmore House, Gardens, Winery and Antler Hill Village; Black Mountain.
Day 1
Begin your trip with a stop at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market where locallly grown regional fruits and vegetables abound. Peruse the retail area featuring displays of high quality regional fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sourwood honey, and dozens of other farm fresh items. Take a hand-made mountain craft home as a souvenir.
From the WNC Farmers Market, it's just a short drive to the beautiful North Carolina Arboretum, site of a 434-acre natural treasure with 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails. Enjoy a self-guided garden tour of native plants, one of the finest, most unique bonsai collections in the United States at the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, an innovative Production Greenhouse and Operations Center and more. Enjoy menu items at the Savory Thyme Cafe, or have a delightful box lunch catered.
Continue your adventure with a scenic drive to Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park where you can reconnect with nature. Stand atop the 315 foot Chimney Rock and see amazing 75-mile views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and the Carolina Piedmont. Or enjoy hiking trails for all ages and skills and a 404-foot waterfall. Finish your day with a catered cookout in the Meadows or a riverside table at the Old Rock Cafe.
Day 2
Rejuvenate with fresh mountain air and vibrant gardens. The Biltmore estate comes alive with colors from tulips to azaleas in the gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. Visit Biltmore during spring for the Festival of Flowers, or in fall to see the fall leaves. Your visit also includes stops at the 250-room Biltmore House, Winery and the newest addition to the estate, Antler Hill Village.
Spend the afternoon as you like. Stroll through the quaint streets of Black Mountain, stop in some of the shops or galleries. Conclude your day with a delectable family sytle dinner at the Red Rocker Inn.
Interactive Asheville |
 Ask a Farmer Send a food-related question to a local farmer. |  Food Pictures View or share pictures showing the Asheville food season. |
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