Art galleries in the Asheville area abound! Did you know that western North Carolina is one of the top areas in the country for art? Thousands of extraordinary artists live in our Blue Ridge Mountains. Discover hundreds of art galleries and…
Gem mining has been a favorite activity for visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for years, with a history of mining that goes back centuries. Most of the authentic mines for panning are in two areas: Spruce Pine and Franklin.…
Many of us have wonderful childhood memories of visiting Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley. This mountaintop amusement park was wildly popular in the 70s and 80s. It opened in 1961 and closed in 2002, followed by a series of owners that have…
Asheville is a dream-come-true for women looking for a girlfriend's getaway. Leave the guys at home and enjoy your friends and family. Our Top 10 list includes great ideas for mother-daughter, bridal parties and singles vacations also. Click on…
Just a couple of miles north of the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center is a Blue Ridge Parkway overlook (Milepost 361.2) for Glassmine Falls. It's about seven miles south of Mt. Mitchell. After a good rain, the view of the skinny waterfall cascading…
Glen Falls is a triple waterfall near Highlands with four great scenic stops along the roughly 2-mile round-trip hike in the Nantahala National Forest. The upper and middle cascades are the most beautiful. From the parking area, take the woodland…
Gorges State Park is the access point to hike to one of our favorite waterfalls, Rainbow Falls, and nearby Turtleback Falls. It's home to rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls and one of the greatest concentrations of rare and unique species in…
Head to downtown Asheville for many dining and entertainment choices or go to celebrations throughout WNC. Special events on Jan 1st too. See our top New Year Celebrations and Things to Do.
Graveyard Fields is a very popular hiking trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 418.8) south of Asheville. The Yellowstone Prong is the water source for two waterfalls in a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by the 6,000-…
September 22-23, 2023
For over thirty years, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church has invited the greater Asheville community to explore the tastes, sights, and sounds of Greece at its annual Greek Festival. This year, the festival returns…
This well-equipped outdoor store in downtown Bryson City has everything for your adventure. Services include kayak, paddleboard and gear rentals, a hiker shuttle, and guided tours! Their craft beer taproom & bottle shop has 10 rotating brews…
The Green Knob Lookout is visible from on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell. The panoramic views from atop the tower are certainly worth the half mile hike from the Parkway. While the top of the tower is not open, the staircase provides…
The Historic Grove Arcade on Battery Hill in downtown Asheville is a beautiful place to shop and eat! It's one of North Carolina's most historic buildings and features dozens of specialty shops, galleries and restaurants. Find local art, antiques…
Located in the foothills in wine and horse country, this tiny town (population 999) has a quaint historic downtown with a park and mountain views, scenic drive, wineries and Tryon Equestrian Center.
After 30+ forest wildfires burned more than 70,000 acres of forests in the North Carolina mountains during October and November 2016, we are so delighted that most of the trees and wildlife survived! Plus, only one home was lost in North Carolina…
Fascinating history can be found at a variety of museums and historic sites in Asheville and the many small towns of the western North Carolina mountains. Learn about our Appalachian natural and cultural history, including the history of the…
This 1.5-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain (elevation 4,009 ft.) has an amazing payoff with panoramic views of the canyon of Linville Gorge Wilderness Area - with the valley floor and Linville River 2,000 ft. below you. On…
On the hottest summer days, what's the best way to beat the heat in the mountains of North Carolina? Since the city of Asheville is in a valley, it is usually only 5-8 degrees cooler than places like Charlotte or Atlanta. So high temperatures…