Asheville and Western North Carolina reward repeat visitors. There's always a new trail, a fresh restaurant, novel experience at iconic attractions, or hidden gem you missed. Our travel blog is where we share what's happening, what's worth your…
Step back into the Roaring Twenties at Gin & Jazz Social 2026, held the weekend following F. Scott Fitzgerald's birthday at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa. This Gatsby-era celebration brings vintage glamour to life on Friday, September 25…
Rediscover the joy of gathering around the game board this holiday season at Grovewood Gallery's "Top of Their Game: Handcrafted Games by Master Makers," on view November 14 through December 31, 2026. This special invitational exhibition…
Lift your spirits with a ghostly Halloween celebration in the Blue Ridge Mountains. On Thursday, October 29, from 7-10 PM, join The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa for The Pink Lady Party—a night of treats and no tricks.
Get your…
Cashiers is a popular vacation destination in Jackson County and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, located just 10 miles from Highlands and about 63 miles from Asheville, along scenic Highway 64. Sitting at a high elevation of about 3,…
Schoolhouse Falls is not a tall waterfall (drops about 20 ft.), but it makes up for that in beauty! It's the most popular of the many waterfalls in Panthertown Valley in the Nantahala National Forest, located in Jackson County (55 miles from…
The charming village of Dillsboro (population 237) is our top small town for local art, craft, and unique museums. Within its few blocks, find works from hundreds of artists. This longtime artisan community is located in Jackson County on the…
U.S. Route 64 is the longest numbered route in North Carolina, running 604 miles from the Tennessee state line to the Outer Banks. The route is often referenced "from Murphy to Manteo," referring to the expanse of the state. It dates back to the…
This is the tale of two waterfalls. High Falls (or Cullowhee Falls) is located just below the dam for Lake Glenville on the West Fork Tuckasegee River near Cashiers in Jackson County. It becomes the most powerful waterfall in the North…
Did you know we have petroglyphs in the North Carolina mountains? Judaculla Rock in Jackson County (near Sylva and Western Carolina University) is a sandstone boulder with some 1,500 designs carved into it by the Cherokee. It's about 30 miles…
Hike to the top of The Pinnacle (elevation 5,008 feet) near Sylva for panoramic views of the valley in Jackson County. The steady uphill hike of 3.4 miles one way climbs 3,000 feet in elevation, following an old logging road for much of the way.…
The charming small town of Cashiers, NC is surrounded by scenic mountains, rivers, lakes, trails, and more, offering a plethora of outdoor activities to explore! Located in beautiful Jackson County, there are so many things to do including…
This artisan village offers some tasty options for whatever you’re craving from traditional southern cooking, wood-fired pizza, and delicious bbq to gourmet sandwiches, seafood, steak, and artisan chocolate. You’ll find plenty of dining options,…
Hot Springs, North Carolina, (population 567) is perhaps best known for its hot mineral springs, but you can certainly find many other things to do! This village in Madison County is located just 40 minutes north of Asheville at the junction of…
Explore the beautiful grounds, top-notch exhibits, and historic buildings of the first forestry school in America, located deep in Pisgah National Forest on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. It's just four miles from popular Sliding Rock. Cradle…
Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, falling 811 ft.! The Upper Falls plummets 411 ft. and is 60 miles from downtown Asheville in the Nantahala National Forest. It's on the Whitewater River in the Jocassee Gorge area of…
Find a unique fall leaf-looking experience in the North Carolina mountains in Jackson County! Go bear "hunting" near Cashiers and "shoot" one with your camera. The “shadow of the bear” is visible for 30 minutes daily on sunny days between 5:…
Silver Run Falls in the Nantahala National Forest is just four miles south of Cashiers in Jackson County. This 25-ft. waterfall cascades into a tranquil pool with a small beach area. So it's a popular swimming spot in the North Carolina mountains…
Soco Falls is a beautiful, double waterfall on the edge of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, located between the towns of Maggie Valley (5.5 miles) and Cherokee (10 miles). Enjoy it from a platform via a short walk from US Highway 19, just 1.5…