Discover Appalachian Craft Art Culture Along Area Byways As you travel mountain roads splashed with brilliant fall color, it's easy to understand why Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains have inspired artists and craftspeople for generations. What makes Asheville's craft scene unique is that you'll find artists here are not only preserving traditional mountain handmade
Hawks Soar Over Asheville in Annual Migration Fall is a favorite time here in Western North Carolina, when the cooling weather provides ideal conditions for exploring all that this area has to offer. The changing leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway present a feast for the eyes, and the migration sightings can provide memories to last a lifetime, particularly for hawk enthusiasts. Each year in the
Waterfalls for All Occasions With hundreds of beautiful cascades near Asheville, where do you begin? Here’s a quick sampler to get you started. These 11 locations represent a diverse range of options, so there’s something for everyone. Tallest: Upper Whitewater Falls Walk a quarter-mile paved trail (accessible for wheelchairs or scooters) to see the mighty Upper
Your Guide to a Wallet-Friendly Weekend Asheville is well known for its splurge-worthy attractions and high-end culinary experiences, but there are just as many options for anyone seeking an affordable getaway to the mountains. Explore everything Asheville has to offer with a weekend itinerary that delivers on experience, but won’t break the bank. Friday 1 p.m. – Lunch at 12 Bones
Outings to Satisfy Your Inner Bird Nerd Flashes of red plumage in the forest canopy and a familiar song - “what-cheer, what-cheer, what-cheer” - signify the presence of a nearby Northern Cardinal. This is an easy bird to recognize, even for a novice bird watcher, but it is only one of nearly 300 bird species to call Asheville, and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, home. To sharpen
As one of the countries top mountain bike destinations alongside hundreds of miles of road biking, there is no better way to explore Asheville than on two wheels. Here's a list of places and local businesses that can help you on your way. 1. Flying Bike Tours Enjoy a tour of Asheville on these e-bikes. Geared toward: Anyone who wants to explore Asheville on two wheels! These
Pair Your Picnic With Delicious Vistas Feed your eyes with spectacular views and your ears with serene sounds of nature with an al fresco meal that you will never forget. Before you head out to the great outdoors for your picnic, pick up a picnic basket from The Rhu or Asheville Picnic Company, and treat yourself to a charcuterie spread to-go from Gather 'Round Charcuterie. Asheville
Beyond Gorgeous Views Are Mountains Full of Life The Cherokee called the mountain Tanawha, meaning Great Hawk or Eagle. While that name may be forgotten, no other ridge top near Asheville is so familiar as the lofty silhouette of Grandfather Mountain, the name adopted by early settlers. At its high point, the craggy features of one of the area’s most famous peaks climb to nearly 6,000 feet
Make the Most of Asheville's Abundant Berry Season From farms to forests, berries burst their way onto the Asheville scene beginning in May, and continue to brighten dishes both sweet and savory through late November. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, wineberries, and raspberries (both black and red) are on menus, in the fields, at the farmers markets, and in the wilds of the
The seed was planted for a scenic road through the Blue Ridge Mountains when North Carolina geologist Joseph Hyde Pratt proposed a mountain toll roll stretching from Marion, VA, to Tallulah, GA. World War I halted work on the road, but the idea of a scenic road persisted. The construction of the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park turned into a serendipitous event when President
