Joanne O’Sullivan lived and traveled on three continents before settling in Asheville. She served as the Asheville correspondent for VisitSouth.com, RootsRated.com and writes for the Asheville Citizen-Times, WNC Magazine and other publications. On the weekends, she can be found exploring the great outdoors around Asheville with her family.
Three wonderful waterfalls on one Great Smoky Mountains National Park hike Deep Creek is one of the most beloved areas in the Smokies, known for offering the opportunity to see three beautiful waterfalls. Take a 5-mile loop hike to see them all or craft a shorter hike. Deep Creek is also known for its popular tubing sections -- one of which passes directly in front of one of the
A Blue Ridge Parkway classic, this is a local favorite When you think of views from the Blue Ridge Parkway, chances are these are the kinds of views that come to mind: the unimpeded, long-range vistas from Black Balsam Knob. Surrounded by wilderness, this tree-free ‘bald’ is an easy, family-friendly hike, ideal for picnicking or blueberry picking. Appalachian “balds” such
Exploring Western North Carolina’s ever-expanding studio glass scene is an education. From blown glass to fused glass and etching, you can encounter a different process in every studio you visit. The dazzling creations you see in and around Asheville are the result of mastery of a number of techniques as well as innovations unique to artist who created them. Want a peek behind the curtain at
Asheville’s reputation as an arts destination is well known, but there are still under-the-radar parts of the art scene to explore. While many associate Western North Carolina with the pottery tradition, the region was more recently pivotal in the development of another field: studio glass. If you’re not familiar it, the Asheville area is a great place to start discovering this
Choose Your Own Hiking Adventure in Asheville, NC Thousands of miles of trails twist, meander, dip and climb through the peaks and valleys around Asheville. In this world-class hiking destination, you can take your pick from peaceful hikes along mountain streams and technical scrambles up steep terrain; hikes that are short and sweet and multi-day adventures. Some hikes give you a view into the
One hike, three of the region’s best waterfalls Dupont State Forest is the best place to discover why Brevard and Transylvania County is called “The Land of the Waterfalls.” Get a sampler of some of the area’s wonderful waterfalls with a (mostly) easy hike to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. Accessible enough for kids, the trails that connect the falls are scenic
Hike to views that will make your heart sing An alternative to the popular Black Balsam Knob hike that can be accessed from the same parking lot off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sam Knob will win your heart with high mountain meadows and long-range wilderness views that rival any in the region. LEAVE NO TRACE TIP Sam Knob Trail follows an old roadbed that is prone to erosion. In fact, stairs and a
A stroll through Asheville history Designed in 1885 in the park-like Victorian style, Riverside Cemetery is the final resting place of some of Asheville’s most prominent citizens, including Thomas Wolfe. Set on 87 shady acres, Riverside is a walk through Asheville’s past on smooth, paved trails, past over a dozen family mausoleums and impressive statuary. Stroll through this
A hidden-gem waterfall hike in a lush forest The Horsepasture River thunders down a 125-foot drop spraying up a mist that creates rainbows that sparkle in the sunlight. This magical sight can be seen at Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park, one of the best Western North Carolina waterfall hikes. LEAVE NO TRACE TIP With so many natural wonders, the Gorges State Park area is a popular place for
Hollywood-worthy waterfalls make for family fun and great picnics Fans of The Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans were introduced to Bridal Veil Falls in Dupont State Forest on the silver screen. Hikers can easily take in the view, too, with this easy, scenic stroll through the woods. With plenty of exposed rock around the falls, this is a great picnic spot. LEAVE NO TRACE TIP With so many
