One of the nation’s most visited parks, the first fly fishing trail in the country, one of the oldest rivers in the world, and the largest private home in the U.S. are found in western North Carolina. The mountain region is also home of the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, the tallest mountains in the eastern U.S, and more.
Whether on foot, paddling on a river, or in your car – adventure is ripe for the picking at every turn. Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, called “America’s Favorite Drive” or “The Drive of a Lifetime.” Along the parkway there are more than 300 miles of hiking trails. The winding 469-miles stretch that follows the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains (connecting Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park) takes about three days to drive at the leisurely pace of 45 mph. The Blue Ridge Parkway is called “one of the best trip routes in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure.
Adventure is everywhere but the main attraction is the scenic landscape. On land, visitors can hike on wooded trails, climb to high peaks, bike on greenways, take photos of waterfalls and stand in awe of Mother Nature. Water lovers swim in cool waters, go tubing on flat water or take a kayak on white water rapids.
North Carolina’s majestic peaks and mountains are some of the most visited in the U.S. Grandfather Mountain State Park, ranked number one of the “South’s Best State Parks” by Southern Living, sits at 5,305 feet elevation and is estimated to be 300 million years old. The park’s signature feature is the 228-feet long mile-high swinging bridge.
The nation’s most visited park is the majestic Great Smoky Mountain National Park with more than 12 million visitors annually. Encompassing more than 500 acres of natural beauty, thundering waterfalls and abundant wildlife, the photogenic park is a feast for the senses. The park is the home of the iconic Appalachian Trail and mountain peaks in excess of 6,000 feet. To reach the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains adventure seekers climb Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
Paddlers and anglers spend lazy days kayaking, tubing or white water rafting on the French Broad River, the third oldest river in the world that runs through Asheville. Take a ride on the New River, believed to be the only major river in the U.S. flowing north. High on the angler wish list is a day spent fly-fishing in the 1,600-acre Nantahala Lake and Davidson River, both known for abundant trout. Nantahala is called one of Trout Unlimited’s “Top 100 Streams in America.”
After a day outdoors, culture is plentiful in the western part of the state with outdoor performances at Brevard Music Center, or indoors at Fitz and the Wolfe in Asheville, and others. Museums, centers for art (Folk Art Center) and galleries throughout the region showcase the works of skilled artisans with glassblowing, pottery, metalworking, painting, textiles, woodworking, and more.
Mountain towns showcase quaint downtown spaces with restaurants, shops and breweries in Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Blowing Rock, Black Mountain, Maggie Valley and others. Beer lovers make the trek to experience nearly 400 breweries and brewpubs found in the mountains – the largest number in the South and North Carolina. Each town promises memories of a lifetime.
Asheville is one of the state’s most popular vacation destinations and known for its bohemian lifestyle and rich arts, food and music culture. The city is the home of Biltmore, (America’s largest home), one of North Carolina’s top attractions and a nation-wide destination. The house was unscathed by Helene and stands majestically inviting visitors to come and see. After the house and garden tour, visit Biltmore shops.
The mountains excel in the art of music with performance venues, restaurants and anywhere people gather. Venues like Orange Peel bring in local and national bands. Harrahs’ Cherokee Center Asheville made an estimated $8 million in July when Widespread Panic took the stage.
The River Arts District (RAD) is a point of pride for the city with more than 700 artists calling the eclectic conglomeration of shops located alongside the French Broad River, home. The Upper RAD is open while the Lower RAD continues recovery efforts. See pop art from Greg Carr and contemporary art by Jaime Byrd. Bryd rebuilt after Helene and sells a print of the experience that captures beavers swimming in the gallery after the storm.
Take a walking tour of Upper RAD to see artists at work. Before you start the tour, head to ButterPunk for the best croissant-like biscuit ever made.
Dining options draw visitors to the foodie city with a multitude of tasty choices. Downtown is vibrating with barbecue, burgers, pub fare and ethnic dining. For an upscale night head to Luminosa for exquisite Italian (end with the Tiramisu). Have a five-star experience at the Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian Lodge. Start with table-side Martini service with accoutrements, proceed to starters like Elk carpaccio and then try the Bison tenderloin piled high with mushrooms for the entrée. The grand finale is a carrot cake in maple glaze sauce for the sweetest ending in town.
Asheville is called Beer City for a reason with more than 70 breweries. Try a Sour beer or the favorite Pernicious IPA at Wicked Weed. Stay overnight at The Restoration in the heart of downtown. The contemporary hotel delivers beauty, top-rate service and a prime location to entertainment.
Brevard is known as North Carolina’s “Land of Waterfalls” with more than 250 cascading falls. The DuPont State Recreational Forest is a major bucket list check off. Make the scenic trek to see the three falls (called the Triple Threat) that start with the serene Hooker Falls to the most majestic of the three falls at High Falls.
After a day of exploring, take a break from trails to shop in quaint downtown stores or to relax at exceptional local eateries. Wood & Vine is a bistro and wine bar is a communal gathering spot for food and wine enthusiasts.
For a rustic respite have a burger and sweet potato fries at Cedar Mountain Café. At Pisgah Bakehouse, partake of a wood-fired pizza. Stay overnight at the Campbell House, named for some of the town’s favorite trails.
Hendersonville is a top-rated mountain town with cultural treasures that include Flat Rock Playhouse, the official state theater of North Carolina, and the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Hendersonville is North Carolina’s apple capital with orchards and events in the fall elevating all-things-apple.
The town is dedicated to outdoor fun and exploration. Take a mountain bike ride at Ride Rock Creek Mountain Bike Park, the premier downhill mountain biking destination in nearby Zirconia. The park has hosted the last two USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships.
Trails define the town from traditional paths to ice cream and wine trails. Ecusta Trail, is a rail-to-trail project that will eventually span 19 miles, including breweries, from Hendersonville to downtown Brevard. Multiple businesses are located along the first phase, including breweries, coffee shops, art galleries/studios and a café. To try multiple Hendersonville beverage offerings, locals get on the Hendersonville Cheers! Trail with more than 24 beer, wine or hard cider locations.
Haywood County is truly the High Country. The county is home to more than ten peaks at 6,000 feet, which make Maggie Valley (and other towns) a favorite with mountain climbers and hikers. Motorcyclists are fans on the terrain and hug curvy mountain roads on the way to Wheels through Time Motorcycle Museum.
Waynesville is a premiere mountain town nestled in the Great Smoky Mountain and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Drive NC 215 toward Devil’s Courthouse for short hikes and views over Black Balsam and Pisgah Forest.
For a break from the great outdoors, visitors and locals spend time downtown at local boutiques, art galleries, and cozy eateries. Stores sell Appalachian handicrafts, antiques, home décor and more.
Locals experience the arts at Haywood Arts Regional Theater with performances from spring through fall. Don’t miss the restored Francis Grist Mill (circa 1887) and the classic Shelton House Museum showcasing crafts, local history and heritage. Explore the Frog Level Historic District with its early 20th century architecture and industrial heritage.
In the town of Clyde take a walk to remember on the Cold Mountain Hike that ends at the summit of Cold Mountain that inspired the novel and movie. The walk is challenging but rewarding with a wildflower sanctuary along the way.
