Here are some photos and fun facts about the largest home in the United States. Biltmore House's size and architecture are absolutely amazing. Even after six years of construction by 1,000+ workers, the 250-room castle was not complete when…
Eastern hemlock trees are some of the largest and most common trees in the Great Smoky Mountains and the higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unfortunately, they are under attack from a non-native insect called the hemlock woolly…
The majestic Hickory Nut Gorge is a 14-mile-long canyon that cuts a picturesque pass as deep as 1,800 feet through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Abundant in undisturbed forests, waterfalls, and granite cliffs, the Gorge is home to the communities of…
This is the tale of two waterfalls. High Falls (or Cullowhee Falls) is located just below the dam for Lake Glenville on the West Fork Tuckasegee River near Cashiers in Jackson County. It becomes the most powerful waterfall in the North Carolina…
Highland Brewing Company
For a taste of trailblazing Asheville beer, head to Highland Brewing Company. Highland Brewing Company was founded in 1994 by retired engineer, Oscar Wong. It was the first legal brewery in Asheville since…
U.S. Route 64 is the longest numbered route in North Carolina, running 604 miles from the Tennessee state line to the Outer Banks. The route is often referenced "from Murphy to Manteo," referring to the expanse of the state. It dates back to the…
Don't like to hike alone? Join a guided or group hike in the North Carolina mountains and meet fellow hikers that love the outdoors. Here are some places to find guided hikes near Asheville:
The Friends of the Smokies non-profit support…When the stock market crashed in 1929 leaving shattered lives and a fatigued economy throughout the United States, Asheville carried the heaviest burden of all. Yet like many American cities, Asheville celebrated a booming economy in the 1920s,…
November 18, 2023
The festive Asheville Holiday Parade in downtown is a fun way to kick off the Christmas season, complete with local personality for plenty of smiles. It starts at 11 AM, so several downtown streets will be closed that…Many events during this weekend in our top ski town of Banner Elk. Tree lighting and variety show on Friday evening. Saturday highlights include a 5k, Alpaca Farm tours, holiday market, and more. In the evening, Tate-Evans Park has train rides,…
Beautiful scenes from Asheville and the North Carolina mountains appear in many movies. The first movie shot in Asheville was in the 1920s. Titled "Conquest of Canaan," the movie was filmed in what is now Pack Square in downtown Asheville, and…
Whether you're a first-timer or experienced, horseback riding is a great way to enjoy the spectacular scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains and the State and National Forests around Asheville, North Carolina. Here are our top…
A longtime French bistro with comfort food using local ingredients. A romantic, intimate and charming setting. Enjoy fresh mussels prepared in multiple ways, Escargot, Burgundy’s signature stew Boeuf Bourguignon and their famous fries. Dine al…
NPR calls Asheville the "Napa Valley of Beer!" Our beer scene features an amazing selection of bars, brewpubs, micro craft breweries, and cideries. Sample hundreds of local brews from 50+ western North Carolina mountain breweries. Asheville, per…
From grabbing a hot cup of coffee to-go to sipping a warm beverage while daydreaming in a cafe to getting the perfect midday pick-me-up, Asheville coffee and tea shops have many options. Whether it’s downtown Asheville, West Asheville, the River…
Forest Order Effective Now through June 30, 2026: Due to overuse of the land, there is a Forest Order in effect to protect this special place. Please read the restrictions below so you can enjoy Max Patch safely.
Hike a section of the…
Take a scenic drive in the mountains surrounding Asheville. Go over the rivers, through the woods and by waterfalls, with plenty of things to do along the way in the national parks and forests. Cruise the curvy mountain roads and byways to…