Whether you’re taking your very first Blue Ridge Parkway road trip or– like us– you’ve explored the scenic route multiple times, a visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a must! Located near Downtown Asheville, just 2.4 miles south of the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center, the Visitor Center is essentially … Read more
The Southern Highland Craft Guild has been an advocate for high-quality crafts being made and sold in the southern Appalachian Mountains since the 1930s. Their mission is to ensure that generation after generation of locals and visitors alike continue to value both the traditional and modern arts and crafts of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Originally designed … Read more
With nearly 100,000 residents, Asheville is easily the biggest jewel of a mountain town in Western NC. But there are numerous small towns near Asheville NC that warrant a visit as well, especially for those who seek a break from the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan cities. Having lived in WNC for 5+ years now, … Read more
The reputation of Asheville NC as a magical getaway has been well-known for over a century. So much so that one of the world’s wealthiest families, the Vanderbilts, built their Biltmore Estate there in the late 1800s. Over the last 20 years, Asheville has emerged as a major hub in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, … Read more
As a longtime Western North Carolina resident (formerly of Brevard, currently of Elkin NC), I’ve spent a lot of time in Asheville over the years. From critically acclaimed restaurants and hip breweries to trendy boutiques and swanky museums, there’s an ever-increasing array of fun things to do in Asheville NC. This burgeoning mountain metropolis is … Read more
[Updated November 14, 2023] Whether you’re continuing a lifelong Christmas tradition or getting your first ever real tree, picking out a tree from one of the many NC Christmas Tree Farms is truly a magical holiday moment. Especially when you’re doing it among the majestic Blue Ridge mountain overlooks and landscapes of North Carolina. Exploring … Read more
[Updated November 9, 2023] There’s nothing quite like celebrating the holiday season in a magical place, and many small mountain towns offer special NC Christmas Events. From parades and shopping to dazzling Christmas lights and meetings with Santa, these Blue Ridge Mountain Towns are the perfect place to celebrate and get into the holiday spirit. … Read more
15 Ways to Celebrate an Asheville NC Christmas, including Biltmore Christmas, National Gingerbread Competition, Lights at NC Arboretum & more.
[Updated July 3, 2023] Over the last decade, Asheville has emerged as a progressive haven of arts and culture in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The town is known for its fiercely independent spirit, with myriad “green” restaurants, breweries, and countless Asheville art galleries and artists’ studios popping up over … Read more
In the 15+ years we’ve been exploring Blue Ridge Mountain towns, we’ve had a chance to visit many of the best places to stay in Asheville NC. From charming B&Bs and hotels in Downtown Asheville to cabin rentals and historic inns nearby, there are countless options for accommodations around town. In fact, there are nearly 80 … Read more