Mingo Falls, called Big Bear Falls in the Cherokee language, cascades nearly 200 ft. down granite boulders. It's located just five miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Big Cove Road (past several big campgrounds)…
Montford is an historic neighborhood in Asheville, North Carolina, located just north of downtown. A portion of Montford is a National Register Historic District with 600+ buildings, mostly residences built between 1890 and 1920. Take a driving…
Montreat is a secluded, beautiful village deep in a mountain cove near Black Mountain. It's best known for Montreat College, Montreat Conference Center and their wonderful 4th of July Parade. At the town center, find Lake Susan surrounded by the…
Near the popular Looking Glass Falls is the hidden jewel of Moore Cove Falls. It's one of the few waterfalls that you can walk behind. Hike to this 50-ft. tall waterfall from a small parking area by a stone bridge on U.S. 276 (Forest Heritage…
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) of North Carolina is a 935-mile trail consisting of footpaths, roads and state bike routes across the state. While the trail is far from complete, there are about 190 miles in the mountains for you to hike. In the…
The Alum Cave Trail is the most hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You'll see why, with its interesting geological features and stunning views. To reach the 6,593-ft. summit of Mount LeConte (third highest peak in the Smokies) from…
Atop Mt. Sterling (5,842 ft elevation) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the historic, 60 ft. steel fire lookout tower built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This is the highest elevation of any fire tower remaining in the…
New Belgium Brewing opened its riverside brewery and "Liquid Center" tasting room (21 Craven Street) in 2016 near downtown Asheville. Sample their locally made beers on Monday-Saturday, 11 AM-8 PM and Sunday 12 Noon-8 PM. Take a brewery tours…
Take the scenic drive from Cherokee to Newfound Gap (5,046'), the highest point along U.S. Highway 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From the parking area at Newfound Gap, you can stand on the state line between North Carolina and…
The Oconaluftee Indian Village is a living history museum that portrays a 1760s Cherokee village. This is the place to learn about their culture and traditions. Take a guided tour and interact with villagers as they hull canoes, make pottery and…
The very popular Asheville Outlets mall opened a few years ago with a big variety of national retailers and continues to expand. The open-air shopping village currently has 70+ outlets conveniently located at the intersection of I-26 at Brevard…
Take a photo tour of peaceful snow scenes from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Asheville area of North Carolina. Since the Parkway is not plowed or treated during snows, it closes and creates a winter wonderland to explore by foot or cross country…
The small community of Cowee near Franklin is big on history dating back 1,400 years! Today, drive the winding mountain roads for gorgeous farm views, visit local artists at a repurpose school and enjoy music jams at a well-known general store in…
The Governor's Western Residence in Asheville is hidden away on Town Mountain just a few miles from downtown, so few visitors and many locals don't even know it's there. The estate is only open for public tours one or two days a year -…
Take a tour or sign up for a class at this internationally-known school for art and craft, tucked away in the mountains near Spruce Pine. Their multiple galleries are free to visit with amazing works created by students and teachers.
The grand Shelton House in Waynesville was built in 1875 and now houses the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts. So your guided tour is double the fun in this Charleston-style farmhouse with a double veranda. Each room is stuffed with 19th and…
A must stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway is an historic mountain estate with thousands of acres and grand mansion to explore. Located at Milepost 294, Moses Cone Memorial Park is about 88 miles north of Asheville and 11 miles north of Grandfather…