The final Bele Chere Festival was held in downtown Asheville in July 2013. Right now, there are no plans for Bele Chere to return.
See our calendar of other Summer Festivals. We love the much smaller LEAF Festival that has replaced it…
The centerpiece for the Christmas at Biltmore celebration is the 35-foot Fraser fir Christmas Tree in the Banquet Hall of Biltmore House - a tradition started by George Vanderbilt himself. Navigating the massive tree in by the priceless artifacts…
Biltmore Park in Asheville is an urban village filled with shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and condos. You'll find national chain stores (like REI & Barnes & Noble), restaurants (like P.F. Chang), an upscale YMCA, and a 15-…
There are many spots on Biltmore Estate to get away from the crowds and enjoy some special time together - including asking someone to marry you or celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other milestone. Here are our 12 favorite romantic places…
The amazing Monarch Butterfly migrates 2,000+ miles each fall from the Northeast United States to Mexico, passing through the Asheville area in September and early October. They usually travel at treetop level along mountain ridges, so they are…
Enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway by exploring some of its many hiking trails near Asheville. There’s a big variety of hikes, ranging from easy strolls to strenuous climbs. Since finding the perfect day hike that offers plenty of mountain scenery can…
Be sure to take time to stop at the Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks to soak in the views! Here are the overlooks near Asheville by Milepost, from north to south. Often, these overlooks will have connecting trails or other points of interest. And…
Of the 26 tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 25 of them are in North Carolina near Asheville! We've listed them below by milepost, from north to south. To go north on Parkway from the city, enter from U.S. Highway 70 east of town (at Milepost 382…
Robert Redford’s 2015 movie A Walk in the Woods (release date is September 2) is about hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) and rediscovering America. After seeing the movie or reading the book, you're sure to be inspired to #takeahike in the…
Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands has been famous for generations as the only waterfall in North Carolina you can drive behind. However, the section of road behind the falls is now blocked off from automobiles for safety. This allows you to walk…
Downton Abbey made its final return to Biltmore from June 27, 2020 - September 7, 2020. This nationally touring exhibition featured set recreations, costumes, and never-before-seen multimedia elements. Unlike the 2015 costume show inside the…
This modest 25-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest is just 1.8 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (NC Highway 215). It's a short but steep hike to get a closer look at Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades. There…
The hike to the summit of Mount Cammerer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is accessible via a trail from the Big Creek area, just off Interstate 40 near the North Carolina/Tenneessee line (about 50 miles from Asheville). The Big Creek…
The hidden Flat Rock hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway provides fantastic views of Linville Valley and Grandfather Mountain from atop a broad rock summit - perfect for picnics. And it's an easy, wooded 6/10 of a mile loop trail with…
There are several great waterfalls along NC Highway 215 (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway) that runs between the Blue Ridge Parkway and US Highway 64 through Pisgah National Forest. At this stop, you'll see four waterfalls and cascades…
While this 80-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest is easy to get to, it's hidden away along a one-lane, unpaved forest service road. Cathey's Creek Falls cascades down a rock slope in a lush cove, making for a beautiful setting. The 1/4-mile…
Perhaps the oddest-named mountain peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the most amazing views! Hike the Appalachian Trail to the stone outcrop called Charlies Bunion. The rocky, treeless summit affords wonderful panoramic views…
Explore the WNC (Western North Carolina) Cheese Trail and spend an afternoon soaking in the mountain beauty and sampling some of the best handmade cheese being made in the South. Connect directly with cheesemakers, seeing where your favorite…
Drive the mile-high Cherohala Skyway in Graham County near Robbinsville, about 100 miles west of Asheville. This is definitely one of the most scenic drives in Blue Ridge Mountains on North Carolina. The countless mountain views from…
The fabulous Chestoa View overlook (elevation 4,090 ft) is easy to miss as you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's one of the best vistas on the Parkway! Watch for the small sign for the parking area at Milepost 320.8. From the parking area, take…