Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area is part of the Nantahala National Forest, located in Jackson County between Lake Toxaway and Cashiers (near US Highway 64). This area is sometimes referred to as the "Yosemite of the East." Find granite rock…
A must-stop for art lovers is the Penland School of Crafts, a nationally-renowned center for craft education tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (6 miles from Spruce Pine). Penland offers one, two, and eight-week…
We love the many historic courthouses in the towns of western North Carolina near Asheville. While many are still in use, others have been repurposed into a variety of uses for the community. These seats of government remain an important…
Where to picnic in our Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains near Asheville? While possibilities in our many national and state parks and forests are endless, here are some of our favorite places and ideas. Remember to plan ahead to pick up picnic…
If you are driving on NC Highway 215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway (exit at Milepost 423) on the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway, you will cross a bridge with a series of cascades, including a picturesque waterfall beneath the historic…
Pink Beds has been a popular woodland hiking and picnic spot in the Pisgah National Forest for many years. Located four miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway on US 276 (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway), the five-mile loop hike has little elevation…
Discover a hidden space center deep in Pisgah National Forest. If you are fascinated with science and the stars, The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) is a must-see in the Asheville area. This complex was initially developed by…
One of our favorite paved bike greenways in the Asheville area is Point Lookout Trail, a 3.6-mile trail through Pisgah National Forest and barricaded to motorized vehicles at both ends. It was formerly part of Old US Highway 70,…
The 500,000+ acres of Pisgah National Forest surrounding Asheville feature some of the most beautiful and rugged mountain scenery, and the best recreational opportunities in eastern North America. One of the four districts, "Pisgah Ranger…
Explore the countryside on a savenger hunt to find some (or all) of the 200 quilt blocks on of nine trails in various regions of Mitchell and Yancey counties, north of Asheville. The Western North Carolina Quilt Trails organization reaches a…
Bakersville is a charming tiny town of about 465 people in Mitchell County, near Spruce Pine, Roan Mountain and the famous Penland School of Craft. The town was formed in the mid 1800s. However, Native Americans mined local mica deposits long…
Rainbow Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells the Horsepasture River. The best feature of…
See several cascades that fall a total of about 50 feet in a lovely park setting with a trail and picnic tables. It's located on NC Highway 194 in Newland - on the way to Elk River Falls. It's about 12 miles from Banner Elk.
The Waterfalls…
A favorite hike for locals, the Rattlesnake Lodge Trail is a fun trip back in time. You hike to the "ruins" of a lodge that was built and enjoyed by many in the early 1900s. It burned in 1926. There are two trails that lead to the site: a 1.4…
Be sure to stop at the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway! And there's a great highland hike that offers a cool hiking option on hot summer days. There are two overlooks for Richland Balsam, near Milepost 431 (about 45 miles from downtown…
During the winter months, you will often see white on mountaintops or up just one side of a mountain. You may think it's snow, but it is often rime ice formed when water droplets in clouds or fog freeze to the trees. Often, the rime ice forms…
For a fascinating stroll through history, head to the Riverside Cemetery with 87 acres of rolling hills and gardens. It's located near downtown Asheville in the historic Montford neighorhood. Dating back to 1885, it's still an active city…
For a scenic drive and a unique hike through a long tunnel, head to the Lake View Drive, known more commonly as the "Road to Nowhere", in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At the end of the six-mile winding road through the forest, find a…
Roaring Fork Creek Falls in the Pisgah National Forest is a long cascade of about 100 ft. (about 50 ft. high) in a very beautiful setting. Located just two miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway via NC Highway 80, it's at the base of Mt. Mitchell and…
Tiny, charming Crossnore (population 200) in rural Avery County has an inspiring story and several unique things to see. For more than 100 years, the highly respected Crossnore School & Children's Home has provided foster care for children in…