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Weekend Trips From Asheville: The Best State and National Parks Nearby
Whether you simply live nearby or are an Asheville local, sometimes the best thing for you, your friends, or your family is to get out of the city and see something new. The good news is that North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina boast a variety of great parks where you can affordably explore nature, learn history, get great exercise, and enjoy the beauty of this part of the world. Consider how some of these parks could factor into your next weekend away, summer road trip, or even just be a pit stop on a road trip to see family! State Parks Near Asheville There are so many state parks…
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A Guide to Chimney Rock State Park
On the website for Chimney Rock State Park, they mention that this destination is “part living classroom, park outdoor gym,” and that really sums up well the opportunities when you visit this park. Chimney Rock features such interesting cliff faces and rock formations that many people come here for beginner to strenuous hiking as well as rock climbing. At the same time, the history of the park and its flora and fauna bring families who want to learn about nature during park programming or through observation. This combination draws big crowds during the warm summer months and temperate springs and autumns in North Carolina. Here are some tips for making…
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From Corn Mazes to Apple Picking: 16 Fun Fall Activities in Asheville
My admiration for Asheville never decreases, but I must admit that fall is, hands down, the most beautiful time of the year to be here. The trees display unreal red, yellow, and bronze colors, the flowers are spectacular, and the average temperature is 68°F/46°F. If that’s not enough, there are many events, and the bountiful harvest makes our food scene even more exciting. Fall in Asheville is gentle and long (one of the longest seasons in the country), allowing us plenty of time to transition and retreat to the darkness of winter. If you’re looking to see fall foliage, the best month is October, although you can start to see…
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15 Lakes in North Carolina Perfect for Your Next Getaway
Asheville visitors and locals alike get to revel in a pretty great combination. We’ve got a downtown full of cultural and foodie destinations, surrounding neighborhoods and towns with all the conveniences of suburban life, and we’ve got a breathtaking backdrop of mountains whenever we want to get out into nature. However, one thing that isn’t very common in Asheville proper are bodies of water of major size. While there are smaller lakes – including Lake Julian, Lake Louise, and Beaver Lake in Asheville and its nearby towns – many people long for a lake big enough to participate in water sports, have a dock to fish off, and even find…
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14 Gorgeous Glamping Spots Near Asheville
Are you wondering what glamping is? It’s the marriage of glamour and camping. It involves having the best of both worlds – outdoors and comfort – in one lodging experience. Glamping is also a great introduction to the outdoors without sacrificing a good bed, a private bathroom, charming furniture, a sauna, or a hot tub. It’s also not giving in to the mosquitos and other bugs that are often the uninvited guests of camping adventures! Luxury camping can be defined as everything that upgrades the basic camping experience: a tent, a sleeping bag, a mat, a gas cooking stove, and shared bathrooms. It can be as simple or as lavish…
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Where to Elope in Asheville: 14 Intimate Venues
What is an elopement wedding? To “elope” used to mean to run away or to run away and secretly get married, or even more scandalously, it was the action of a married woman escaping with a new lover. (Apparently, men never did such a thing!) Thankfully, these days the term “elopement” means to have an intimate wedding. The purist version of an elopement includes just the couple, the wedding officiant, and usually a photographer. However, the term also refers to micro-weddings – or weddings with a maximum of 25 guests – and keeping the details simple. Couples choose to elope to focus on their commitment and hope for their future…
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The Best Places to go Berry Picking in and Around Asheville
While there’s something charming about buying your produce at a farmer’s market, many people enjoy the thrill of the hunt, going out and picking all their own fruit and produce straight from the farm. Thus farms near Asheville, NC, have created an experience out of fruit picking, allowing you to buy the berries and apples you pick by the pound. Orchards near Asheville in nearby Henderson County often grow some rows of berries even if their primary fruit crop is apples (the area is known as Apple Alley!). If you’ve got a hankering for fruit and prefer to pick your own, here are some farms where you can often find…
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The 13 Best Things to do in Asheville in November
November is an excellent time to visit Asheville. The average temperature is 60°F/40°F (though it’s colder in higher elevations), perfect for long days of playing outside and sleeping without the air conditioning. Asheville’s fall season is long and beautiful, with sunny, dry, warm days and chilly evenings, and the fall foliage season goes from late September to early November. In November, fall turns into winter, so many fall activities and landscapes remain to enjoy. Still, many of the most popular December holiday events start in November: the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn, the Winter Lights show at the North Carolina Arboretum, and the Christmas at…
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The 16 Best Things to do in Asheville in July
When it comes to summer in North Carolina, I can think of a few wonderful spots: the Outer Banks are great if you’re in search of a great beach day, and there’s lots to do in Raleigh and Charlotte. The best spot, though, would have to be Asheville in July – you get all the fun of hot temperatures paired with mild evenings, and the beautiful backdrop of the mountains makes every day of fun and adventure incredibly picturesque. While not everyone agrees on the best time to visit Asheville, you’re sure to find yourself in good company if you come to Asheville in summer. Plan both ways to enjoy…
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The 17 Best Things to do in Asheville in April
All of nature is waking up in and around Asheville in April: flowers are blooming, the river surges with lots of spring rain, and the wildlife that was a little more sparse during the winter is back out and about (people start talking about bear sightings again!). April still gets its fair share of showers, but in general, activities that are seasonally open tend to come back to life after the winter, and you’ll find that the streets of downtown Asheville become much more lively and full of visitors. Visiting Asheville in April offers a wonderful chance to take advantage of the temperate spring weather before the high season of…
