advice on Asheville, NC?

SDFgirl

<font color=teal>Weekend spelunker<br><font color=
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
We are thinking of going there for a quick trip. Anyone been? What's it like?

I have been to the Biltmore Estate once...what else is there to do?
 
We just moved here and are still in the exploration mode.....

Of course there is the Biltmore Estate. They have opened more rooms and now do a seperate tour of the roof as well. There is also the Winery on the property to tour and samples to be had.

We love the NC Arboretum. There are lots of trails to explore, beautiful gardens, a visitor center and the greenhouse which houses one of the best Bonsai Exhibits I have ever seen.

There is always lots of shopping to be done in downtown Asheville as well as Hendersonville which is 20 minutes away. In Asheville there are some wonderful restaurants in all price ranges. Some of our favorites are the Early Girl Eatery, Barleys Taproom, Doc Cheys and the Lobster Trap. If you like tapas, try Zambra. In Hendersonville you will find a quaint old fashioned main street with lots of wonderful shops. A great place to eat here is Mikes, which is a great little ice cream parlor and sandwich shop....very reasonable as well. In both towns you can find the Mast General Store which is just that....a great old fashioned General Store with everything from clothes and gifts to shoes and camping supplies. You will also find a great selection of old fashioned penny candy which is perhaps my favorite part of the store.

You can explore the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Folk Art Center which is part art gallery and shop featuring traditional mountain crafts. The center is sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and the pieces displayed are truly magnificent. There are lots of scenic overlooks and picnic areas along the parkway.

About 30 minutes south of Asheville you will find Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. We are visiting this weekend, so I can give you a report later on these sites.

If you feel like venturing farther west you can find the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad, which will take you on a very pleasant ride from Dillsboro to Bryson City, or Bryson City to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This is great fun, especially if you have small boys who are train crazy. Even further west is Cherokee and the Harrah's Casino. We spent a fun rainy Saturday here and had a blast.

For more adult pampering....the Grove Park Inn now has a world class spa. I don't know much about it but I am sure the Grove Park Inn website would help there.

I know there is much much more, but as I said we are still exploring ourselves. Let me know if you need more help and I will find out what I can. Good luck planning your trip.

Linda
 
My grandparents live in asheville and the main thing we always did was the biltmore. It's really awesome. WE went a few years ago for the first time in years and I could really appreciate it. I love the Biltmore.

I also second Chimney Rock and Lake lure. We went there a few years ago as well. It is a very steep climb to the top, but beautiful once you are up there. There is a nice waterfall there too. We enjoyed it and you should definately check it out.
 
LJC1861 said:
We just moved here and are still in the exploration mode.....

Of course there is the Biltmore Estate. They have opened more rooms and now do a seperate tour of the roof as well. There is also the Winery on the property to tour and samples to be had.

We love the NC Arboretum. There are lots of trails to explore, beautiful gardens, a visitor center and the greenhouse which houses one of the best Bonsai Exhibits I have ever seen.

There is always lots of shopping to be done in downtown Asheville as well as Hendersonville which is 20 minutes away. In Asheville there are some wonderful restaurants in all price ranges. Some of our favorites are the Early Girl Eatery, Barleys Taproom, Doc Cheys and the Lobster Trap. If you like tapas, try Zambra. In Hendersonville you will find a quaint old fashioned main street with lots of wonderful shops. A great place to eat here is Mikes, which is a great little ice cream parlor and sandwich shop....very reasonable as well. In both towns you can find the Mast General Store which is just that....a great old fashioned General Store with everything from clothes and gifts to shoes and camping supplies. You will also find a great selection of old fashioned penny candy which is perhaps my favorite part of the store.

You can explore the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Folk Art Center which is part art gallery and shop featuring traditional mountain crafts. The center is sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and the pieces displayed are truly magnificent. There are lots of scenic overlooks and picnic areas along the parkway.

About 30 minutes south of Asheville you will find Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. We are visiting this weekend, so I can give you a report later on these sites.

If you feel like venturing farther west you can find the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad, which will take you on a very pleasant ride from Dillsboro to Bryson City, or Bryson City to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This is great fun, especially if you have small boys who are train crazy. Even further west is Cherokee and the Harrah's Casino. We spent a fun rainy Saturday here and had a blast.

For more adult pampering....the Grove Park Inn now has a world class spa. I don't know much about it but I am sure the Grove Park Inn website would help there.

I know there is much much more, but as I said we are still exploring ourselves. Let me know if you need more help and I will find out what I can. Good luck planning your trip.

Linda

Linda, I've lived here my entire life, and I don't think I could have done near that good a job at describing the place....you should write travel brochures.

Honestly though, the best thing around here to do is to BE OUTSIDE. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Also, it's getting a little late in the year, but white water rafting is the best!
 


I agree that Chimney Rock and Lake Lure are definite must sees if you are in the Ashville area....Hendersonville is a nice town but not much to do....We went to a poet's house for a tour...which was interesting and the grounds were beautiful.
 
The poet's house is the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock. They have a goat farm and do tours of the house, have several nature trails, and a tomb of an unnamed soldier on top of Big Glassy Mountain.
 
Deacondarlin,

As a matter of fact, I do write travel brochures...sort of....

I do research, editing and a bit of actual content writing for the Frommer's Travel Guides. I LOVE to travel and share the info with people. I pretty much give the Keys to the Kingdom tour when traveling in the MK with folks. I am currently working on memorizing the audio tour that the Biltmore House offers so when I take people who come to visit I can give them the tour personally. Whenever I go someplace new I buy several travel guides and memorize as many details as I can. At times it drives people crazy, but it is just fun for me.

I am LOVING this entire area and we are SO settled already.

Take care neighbor!

Linda
 


Linda, great descriptions of the area!

My personal favorite - shopping at Biltmore Village - the New Morning Gallery is a do-not-miss!
 
deacondarlin said:
The poet's house is the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock. They have a goat farm and do tours of the house, have several nature trails, and a tomb of an unnamed soldier on top of Big Glassy Mountain.

Was that a "goat" farm or a goose farm? I thought Mrs. Sandburg raised geese! Hmmmm. My brain is getting old. It's goats-my bad.
Anyway, Sandburg's home was really interesting.(yeah, like you're gonna trust my memory! lol!) We love Asheville. I just recommended a visit to a friend yesterday.
 
Thanks again, everybody! I was surprised to see this thread pop back up. Five days after I started this thread, my boyfriend proposed and we decided to postpone any trips and save for the wedding in December. But I want to keep it on the radar...I have a feeling I'd fall in love with Asheville!
 
Thank you OP for this post and to all that have given information!! Great things to know!

We went to the Biltmore last year. Might do a return trip this year. :) I'd love to do a rooftop tour! :flower: And see the sights around town.
 
I knew this was "home" as soon as we came over the mountain in our moving truck! It is an easy easy place to fall in love with. One thing I did not mention in my original response is the amount of cultural things there are to do here. There is great theater in Asheville and surrounding communities. We recently saw "Ragtime" performed by the Haywood Area Repetory Theater in Waynesville and it was fantastic. The Flat Rock Playhouse uses Actors Equity talent for broadway caliber shows. In Asheville itself we have concerts galore, Asheville Community theater, a symphony, a ballet company and lots of other options. There are some wonderful museums and galleries as well. Brevard, which is 25 miles from Asheville has a fantastic summer music school which does some amazing productions and brings in world class talent for other performances.

During the summer months Asheville and the surrounding communities offer free concerts. There is Live after 5 and Shindig on the Green in Asheville, Hendersonville does Music on the Square ( correct me deacondarlin if this is not the actual name...LOL) Waynesville has its own version and some of the stores stay open later on Friday. In short there is music and culture anywhere you look.

In July Asheville hosts " Bele Chere" one of the largest festivals in the southeast. There are several music stages set up all over town with some fantastic acts appearing throughout the weekend. The streets are filled with amazing art, fun crafts, tantalizing food and snacks and over 300,000 people taking it all in. It is truly representative of all that Asheville is about and I do recommend visiting during Bele Chere if you like a good party.

I'll stop now.....I could go on and on about how wonderful this town is....LOL


Linda
 
That's right!! Carl Sandburg's home....and of course the goats....I could not remember his name last night.
 
LJC1861 said:
We recently saw "Ragtime" performed by the Haywood Area Repetory Theater in Waynesville and it was fantastic.

Linda, we have a summer home outside of Waynesville (Walker-in-the-Hills/Mt. Lyn Lowry). We were SO sorry to miss "Ragtime". Heard it was fantastic, and one of our neighbors on the mountain was in the cast.

Waynesville also has Folkmoot, an international cultural festival, every July.

Dan, if I'm there when you are visiting, I'll give you the tour of Waynesville! :)
 
SDFgirl said:
Thanks again, everybody! I was surprised to see this thread pop back up. Five days after I started this thread, my boyfriend proposed and we decided to postpone any trips and save for the wedding in December. But I want to keep it on the radar...I have a feeling I'd fall in love with Asheville!

Congratulations!
 
Dan,

You can count on it!!!!!! I will play tour guide for anybody wanting to come this way.


Linda
 
DS16's band has a contest at WCU and we're staying in Asheville. Tried to get something in Sylva, but there was not much to choose from that had openings. It's mid Oct. and prime leaf watching season I guess!
 
LJC1861 said:
Dan,

You can count on it!!!!!! I will play tour guide for anybody wanting to come this way.


Linda

Can I sign up for a tour? I've lived here for 3 years and have barely seen a thing. We have got to get togetehr at least for dinner or something now that you two have had time to get settled in. :flower:

Did you go to Bele Chere this year? I have always tried to avoid it but had to work our table this year.
 
MinnieM3 said:
DS16's band has a contest at WCU and we're staying in Asheville. Tried to get something in Sylva, but there was not much to choose from that had openings. It's mid Oct. and prime leaf watching season I guess!

Hope the leaves are at their peak when you are here. If they are I also hope you have some extra time to take a little ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
 

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