[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
In winter, Asheville NC is still a great place to be. It’s cold enough for some snow and snuggles by a cozy fire, but sheltered enough not to be an absolute Arctic blast. Christmas in Asheville includes luxury venues like the Biltmore Estate and nearby NC mountain towns, with festive lights and garlands hanging on everything … Read more
[Updated December 9, 2022] The Western North Carolina mountains have practically everything you could possibly want if you’re looking for a back-to-nature getaway. Home to the five tallest mountains east of the Mississippi, countless cascading waterfalls, adventurous hiking trails, and bustling mountain towns, the region offers beautiful scenery every which way you turn. After a full day … Read more
Some of my fondest Christmas memories growing up took place in Asheville NC, where my parents would often take our family to see the awesome gingerbread houses at the Omni Grove Park Inn. One of America’s largest Christmas competitions, this annual Grove Park Inn Christmas tradition features remarkable artwork, craftsmanship, and creativity from contestants of … Read more
[Updated November 19, 2022] 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 October 10, 2022] Whether you’re continuing a lifelong Christmas tradition or getting your first ever real tree, picking out a tree from one of the many Western 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. … Read more
Whether you have your own horses or are new to riding horses, these are the top places for horseback riding in (and near) Asheville NC.
Asheville NC is one of our favorite Blue Ridge Mountain towns to visit, and it shouldn’t be difficult to understand why. It’s a truly a nature-lover’s playground, surrounded by ecotourism attractions such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Linville Falls, Mount Mitchell, and the 500,000-acre Pisgah National Forest. Of course the city itself also has a lot … Read more