Hiking during the winter has many advantages - including better views thanks to leafless trees, few fellow hikers, no bugs, brilliant skies with more distant views and cool temps. See our top places for winter hikes in the Blue Ridge & Smoky…

During the late fall and festive holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, Asheville and the surrounding mountain small towns have many great events, festivals, and celebrations. Below are our favorites. Also, see our…

Where can the best Christmas light displays in Asheville and the Western North Carolina mountains be seen? Here are our favorite places, including many new and expanded shows.

1. Winter Lights 

Returning to the gardens this year, …

(305 North Main St, Hendersonville) Visit this tasting room in downtown to try their Wicked Peel and Blackberry Gold hard ciders made from local apples and blackberries from their nearby orchard. Open Wed-Sun afternoons. 

Local's favorite art & craft show with 150 hand-selected local artists. Local food & beer too. Inside the Harrah's Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville (87 Haywood St).

Established as a go-to spot downtown for good beer, delicious food, and a great view overlooking Pack Square Park in a beautifully restored 1900s building. Offering multiple dining spaces: expansive North Bar with 32 taps and big TVs, South Bar…

Experience traditional Appalachian crafts, food, games, music and storytelling (10-4) at the Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort with historic log cabins. Free admission.

Enjoy spectacular mountain views and sunsets from this luxury, log mountain lodge, complete with a massive stone fireplace. Relax on your private balcony, snooze in a swing on the covered porch, or soak up the rays on the sun deck. 5 rooms, $169…

December 31, 2023
What's better than the New York City Times Square ball drop to welcome in the new year? Head to small-town Marion (about 35 miles east of Asheville) to watch a 6-foot gold nugget drop into a pot of gold to celebrate…

See our favorite art festivals, events and shows this year in Asheville and surrounding towns in the western North Carolina mountains.

Everyone is invited to participate in, or simply spectate this family-friendly spectacle. This fun parade in downtown Asheville is led by this year's King and Queen, with dancers, roller skaters, drummers and krewes of colorful characters. 3 PM…

Perfect for the passionate collector or those just interested in the Arts and Crafts design. The long-running weekend at Grove Park Inn includes lectures, small group discussions, exhibitions, books, a contemporary crafts show and the finest of…