This free family-friendly annual festival celebrates the stunning native flame azaleas. For 2026, Chatham County Line is the musical headliner. Experience arts and crafts vendors, live glass blowing, Cherokee demonstrations, and food. Donations…

Join in or just listen and watch at Dancing on the Square on Robbinsville's Courthouse Square. Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician and WNC native Darren Nicholson provides the music while renowned Appalachian dance caller Heidi Kulas leads the…

The Cradle of Forestry celebrates with free admission and plenty of outdoor activities in Pisgah National Forest near Sliding Rock, including hikes, demos, historic buildings, and kid's educational fun. 10 AM-4 PM.

Chimney Rock State Park is in the Village of Chimney Rock and Rutherford County. For the last 100+ years, tourists have journeyed to see this 500-million-year-old towering monolith, and the park's "one-stop shopping" for what the mountains are…

Find your perfect place to stay in Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. The region offers lodging for every style and budget: luxury hotels and historic inns, cozy bed and breakfasts, mountain cabins, vacation rentals…

A Memorial Day weekend landslide forced a brief closure at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, but crews moved fast. The park reopens at 8:30 am on Wednesday, June 3. This is two days ahead of the originally announced June 5 date. 

This favorite downtown Italian restaurant is filled with the aromas of house baked artisan bread and mouth watering cuisine. Focuses on fresh ingredients, biodynamic and organically-produced wine selections. Offers traditional recipes from Italy…

For the Annual Groundhog Day Celebration at Chimney Rock Park, you can see if Pumpkin the groundhog sees his shadow to predict an early spring or a long winter. Other activities for kids of all ages.

A must stop for art lovers is the Folk Art Center in Asheville, featuring the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians. Shop the wonderful Southern Highland Craft Guild store (pic above) with a big variety of…

Blowing Rock's beloved annual outdoor concert series returns to the Rotary Gazebo in Memorial Park with five free Sunday performances spanning May through September. Family-friendly and casual Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Plenty of food and…

Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, NC, hosts dozens of fine art and handcraft vendors at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting, and…

Cataloochee Ski Area is one of the leading ski areas on the Southeast. Located at 5,400 ft. in the Great Smoky Mountains, their 18 slopes have 100% snowmaking with 5 lifts on 50 acres. Ski and snowboard rentals, packages, kids and adult ski…

Browse work from 100 juried artists at this 63-year tradition! Six shows in 2026 (May 16, June 13, July 18, August 15, September 12, October 3) feature paintings, glass, jewelry, pottery, photography, and more. 10 AM-5 PM behind Blowing Rock city…

Mitchell County leads North Carolina in UFO sightings and this annual gathering celebrates that out-of-this-world distinction in style. Hear national speakers share encounter and sighting stories, browse 200+ artists and vendors, and enter the…

This free annual festival celebrates black business and entrepreneurship in Asheville. Held in Pack Square Park. Includes music, live performances, talks, workshops, food, local vendors, community connections, and more.

Just 50 miles from Asheville is Cherokee, located at the main North Carolina entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (via US Highway 441). It is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and offers many things to do. The Eastern…

Madison County, NC is home to sections of the Appalachian Trail, natural hot springs, and opportunities to bike, fish, camp, raft whitewater rapids, and also ski and snowboard. 

Hatley Pointe is a 54-…

Madison County is located just 20 minutes north of Asheville. With the scenic French Broad River running through this rural county, there are countless ways to enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains and its charming small towns (see guides for Hot…

The Horse Shoe Farm, an 85+ acre riverfront estate near Asheville, Hendersonville, and the airport, offers high-end nightly accommodations, a private event space, The Silo Cookhouse farm-to-table dining, and The Stable Spa with a full menu of…

Hatley Pointe is a 54-acre boutique ski mountain and year-round resort in Madison County. They sell a limited number of lift tickets each day, offer a ski valet service, and have on-site fine dining, eateries, and also a bar and lounge. All lift…