While millions of visitors come to Asheville each year to experience the world-famous Biltmore House, especially for the Christmas celebration, most miss out on our smaller house museums nearby packed with interesting finds. Here are our favorite…
Many events along Main Street throughout the day 1-9 PM. Shop sidewalk vendors at the Christmas Market from 1-5 PM and stroll by the storefront windows featuring live interactive displays 2-4 PM. Christmas Parade at 5 PM. Tree lighting at 6:30 PM…
Great news! A ghost town near Asheville is coming back to life. The Henry River mill village has been abandoned since the 1970s. It came back to life briefly for the filming of the blockbuster movie The Hunger Games in 2011, serving as Katniss'…
Here's the best deal for discounts at the top local restaurants in Asheville. The Asheville Passport features coupon tickets worth up to $600 in buy-one-get-one savings at 41 Asheville Independent Restaurants. Cost for the set of BOGO coupons is…
The ornate Jackson Building is perhaps the most beloved skyscraper in Downtown Asheville, located at 22 S. Pack Square along Pack Square Park. The 13-story Neo-Gothic style skyscraper was completed in 1924, the first skyscraper in western North…
Beautiful Jackson County is west of Asheville and includes the towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Lake Glenville (pic above) and Sapphire. In addition to great small towns to visit, explore the unspoiled Nantahala…
The Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) in Dillsboro is a fascinating arts facility that is powered by methane gas captured from the old town landfill. The fuel provides heat for blacksmith forges, metal foundry, pottery kiln and…
Discover a very diverse community in gay Asheville! It's been a popular resort and relocation area for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities for many years. The large LGBTQ community enjoys welcoming visitors since most of them…
Canceled for 2021
Got a craving for homemade matzo ball soup, corned beef on rye, potato knish or a kosher hot dog? You don't have to be Jewish to head to downtown Asheville for the annual HardLox, Asheville's Jewish Food and Heritage…John Rock in the Pisgah National Forest is a wonderful five-mile loop hike with a good climb that affords wonderful valley and mountain views, including neighboring Looking Glass Rock, from the smooth rock summit. The John Rock trail is easy to…
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina border right near Asheville. Come see why this is the most visited national park in the United States with 11+ million visitors each year. Plan your vacation and…
There are many waterfalls near Highlands and Cashiers, North Carolina, that are easily seen and enjoyed. Many of these are located along US Highway 64, the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. Here are our eight favorites in the area:
Dry Falls…
North Carolina is known as the Great Trails State, and with good cause. We have 3,000+ miles of free, public hiking trails near Asheville, including 1,600 miles in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, 850 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains…
Here are our favorite and best Asheville hotels, resorts, and full-service country inns, ranging from luxury to budget. All these best hotels in Asheville are located near Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Western North Carolina…
Madison County is located just 20 minutes north of Asheville. With the scenic French Broad River running through this rural county, there are countless ways to enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains and its charming small towns (see guides for Hot…
The first thing to remember when trying to get around our mountains is that using a GPS in the mountains is sometimes the best way to get lost! Many mountains roads in the national forests and parks may not be open or in good shape.
Most…
February 11, 2024
Join the fun at this family-friendly spectacle showcasing our local personality and creativity. Asheville's Mardi Gras Parade celebration is rapidly growing as more and more sparkles, feathers, and beads show up each year…Deep Creek is our favorite hiking area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as it offers a big variety of scenery, including three waterfalls. Located just a few miles from downtown Bryson City, Deep Creek is a popular summer spot for…
Masterminds, a big budget film with a long list of stars, filmed in the Asheville area during summer 2014 for release on September 30, 2016. Originally called "Loomis Fargo," Masterminds is an action comedy directed by Jared Hess and produced by…