Find a unique fall leaf-looking experience in the North Carolina mountains in Jackson County! Go bear "hunting" near Cashiers and "shoot" one with your camera. The “shadow of the bear” is visible for 30 minutes daily (on sunny days!) between 5:30…
The hidden Flat Rock hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway provides fantastic views of Linville Valley and Grandfather Mountain from atop a broad rock summit - perfect for picnics. And it's an easy, wooded 6/10 of a mile loop trail with informational…
(6/10 mile, easy) Hike a loop trail to a flat rock summit with expansive views and great picnic spots. Hidden away at Milepost 308.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway - near Linville Falls.
There are several great waterfalls along NC Highway 215 (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway) that runs between the Blue Ridge Parkway and US Highway 64 through Pisgah National Forest. At this stop, you'll see four waterfalls and cascades along a…
The 1905 stone-and-shingle home features antiques and contemporary furnishings. Affordable luxury located just one mile from the Biltmore Estate. 1.5 miles from downtown Asheville. 6 rooms, $139-$259, cable TV, gardens, WiFi, 3-course mountain…
While this 80-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest is easy to get to, it's hidden away along a one-lane, unpaved forest service road. Cathey's Creek Falls cascades down a rock slope in a lush cove, making for a beautiful setting. The 1/4-mile…
Perhaps the oddest-named mountain peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the most amazing views! Hike the Appalachian Trail to the stone outcrop called Charlies Bunion. The rocky, treeless summit affords wonderful panoramic views…
Explore the WNC (Western North Carolina) Cheese Trail and spend an afternoon soaking in the mountain beauty and sampling some of the best handmade cheese being made in the South. Connect directly with cheesemakers, seeing where your favorite…
Drive the mile-high Cherohala Skyway in Graham County near Robbinsville, about 100 miles west of Asheville. This is definitely one of the most scenic drives in Blue Ridge Mountains on North Carolina. The countless mountain views from this 42-mile…
The fabulous Chestoa View overlook (elevation 4,090 ft) is easy to miss as you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's one of the best vistas on the Parkway! Watch for the small sign for the parking area at Milepost 320.8. From the parking area, take…
While Asheville is a romantic getaway for many, it's also a fun family getaway to create lifetime memories. Here are some of the favorite things to do with children and kids of all ages in the North Carolina mountains - including waterfalls,…
September 30, 2023
Chimney Rock hosts the region’s premier fall migration birding event, Flock to the Rock. This bird-watching day features bird walks guided by local experts, workshops ranging from bird photography to hummingbirds, hawk…The Appalachian Medley Scenic Byway is an official NC drive that follows NC Highway 209 from Lake Junaluska to Hot Springs, with much to see in between in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Twist and turn through the Pisgah National Forest and rural…
The tiny St. Jude's Chapel of Hope is very big in beauty. Located in the community of Trust in Madison County near Hot Springs (along the Appalachian Medley Scenic Byway), the roadside chapel is always open to the public for a peek inside. It was…
See the historic barns of Madison County as you drive across the rolling hills and through beautiful mountain valleys. These barns tell the story of this rural county, located just north of Asheville. Luckily, a non-profit group call “Appalachian…
Kolo Bike Park is on 125 acres of land open all year with four miles of purpose-built trails, jump lines, two pump tracks, a skills park, a service shop, rentals, summer camps, and youth bike clinics. Combine your ride with a zipline canopy tour…
Rent a mountain bike at NOC’s Tsali Bikes on the Nantahala River! We’re just 10 minutes from Tsali, or ride across the river on our own Flint Ridge Trail. Service and repairs, bike sales.