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WNC Nature Center Review: Part Zoo, Park, and Hike
While I’ve been coming to the WNC Nature Center off and on since I was a child, I hadn’t ever thought of it as the unique place it is. As a child, I think I saw it as a zoo that focused on close-to-home animals, a hometown zoo of sorts. Now that I see it through the eyes of a preschooler’s mom, I realize it’s unusually great as a place to take an outing for people of all ages, but especially for the youngest set of Asheville residents and visitors. While you could definitely call the WNC Nature Center a zoo, it’s not quite what you’d expect from a large…
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How To Tackle Biltmore Estate in One Day
When many people think of Asheville, NC, they think of the Vanderbilt’s truly palatial mansion, Biltmore Estate. As the organization that maintains the Biltmore has grown and recognized the need to maintain and conserve the house in all its splendor, they’ve made Biltmore more and more of a destination, a place where anyone can find something fun to do, including but not limited to touring the incredible open floors of the building. For instance, they’ve created rotating exhibits that allow the building to both preserve a look of what the Vanderbilt lifestyle was like while transforming certain spaces into gallery areas that change seasonally so that you can always find…
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The 20 Best Boutiques in Asheville Where You Can Shop Like a Local
People may come to Asheville with a list of restaurants to try or a list of breweries to visit, but you really shouldn’t miss out on the shopping in Asheville either. The downtown area is home to a thriving network of local boutiques and cool shops, all bringing a unique Asheville vibe but with clothing and gifts that fit a variety of styles and price points. A nice thing about frequenting the best boutiques in Asheville is that you’re likely to find a lot of items sourced with an ethical, sustainable effort made to provide both high quality and a supply chain that supports textile workers. And you don’t have…
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The 15 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Asheville
Asheville’s most significant honor is to be known as “Dog City, USA.” This city loves dogs and welcomes them (almost) everywhere. There are lovely dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, bars (including a dog playground with a bar for humans!), and breweries to hang out with your best friend while exploring our fantastic food and beverage scene. Of course, the city’s green areas and surroundings make it an ideal place for the family’s furry members to join you on your trip! Also, most stores allow well-behaved dogs on leashes, and plenty of walkable neighborhoods will let you take your friend for a stroll. Did you know that our city features the first Dog…
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13 Festive Places to See Christmas Lights in AshevilleÂ
Are you wondering if coming to Asheville during Christmas is worth it? It absolutely is! There are many fun and festive things going on in Asheville throughout the entire month of December – including a ton of spectacular light displays! Our famous local landmarks – Biltmore Estate, the Omni Grove Park Inn, and the Grove Arcade – get all dressed up for the holidays. There are neighborhood and business district Christmas display competitions, walk-through and drive-through light shows, and many Christmas events for the entire family. I’ve compiled a list of the best places to see the Christmas lights in Asheville. Also, many events around Asheville made it onto this…
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A Guide to Highlands, NC: Events, Attractions, Restaurants, and Shops
Whether you’re drawn to the nearby national forests, the surprising variety of cultural arts, or the tasty restaurants available, Highlands, North Carolina, is a picturesque mountain town. The locals are ready to show you an amazing time as you explore Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, golf at the Highlands Country Club, and luxuriate at the Old Edwards Inn. Located just 90 to 120 minutes from Asheville (depending on the route you take), Highlands is only a stone’s throw from both South Carolina and Georgia, in the far western portion of the state. Not only do you get incredible views here, but you’ll also get away from the city environment…
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Christmas in Asheville: 15 Festive Things to Do
With all the Thanksgiving leftovers gone from your fridge, are you ready to celebrate the most popular holiday in the country and the world? Well, Asheville is! Luckily, our city features many Christmas events and festivities that are fun for the entire family. From welcoming the season with an original holiday parade to fantastic light displays and a famous gingerbread house competition, we have everything you need to make your Christmas in Asheville memorable. There are so many things going on in Asheville in December it’d be impossible to list them all. We’ve chosen something for everyone, always keeping the kids in mind because those little creatures tend to adore…
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10 Fun Pack Square Park Events and Festivals
Few views of Asheville are as iconic as the majestic vista from Pack Square. This city park takes up two city blocks and has surrounding buildings like the Asheville Art Museum and the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. In the park itself, you’ll find tree-lined paths, sculptures, fountains, and even the downtown splash pad known as Splashville, which is only open seasonally. There’s a large stage for musical acts and simply a ton of areas for gathering, so it’s no wonder that it has become a destination location for fun Asheville festivals and other free events in Asheville. While this list includes festivals and gatherings that have at least once been…
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The 13 Best Things to do in Asheville in January
I once read that “when someone falls in love with your flowers and not your roots, they don’t know what to do when winter comes” (Anonymous). Popular wisdom always encrypts some truth. Loving the seasons of the year and the seasons of your life is a crucial element to happiness! Asheville in January is very special and has a sweet intimacy. The introvert in me (I also have a very loud extrovert who shows up in spring!) loves the quieter streets of downtown, the less crowded restaurants, and the beautiful light in the winter afternoons. If you want a less touristy and more authentic experience, January is one of the…
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The 18 Best Spas and Wellness Experiences in Asheville
Asheville is known for its orientation to holistic, whole living. We love to eat good, organic, local food, strive to interact with the rest of the natural world more harmonically, and have many non-profits that address the needs of our most vulnerable communities. Wellness and self-care are essential to our lifestyle, and we offer many experiences that facilitate them. So, be ready to turn off your phone for a few hours and disconnect from the rest of the world to connect to yourself. We’ve compiled a list of the coolest wellness experiences and best spas in Asheville, not only because of the world-class treatments they offer but because many are…
