Asheville/Franklin, North Carolina

[tiggerlover]

Has anyone visited the Asheville/Franklin, North Carolina area? I have seen some things online and it looks like a great area to getaway this fall.

 

[LJC1861]

I live here in Asheville. Franklin on the other hand is about 90 minutes further west. There is MUCH to do here in Asheville, from the Biltmore Estate, downtown for galleries, shops, and dining, to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the NC Arboretum, the Folk Art Center, the Parkway Destination Center, hiking, biking, rafting, etc.

Franklin is known for ruby and other gem mining. The drive out is very pretty and will take you deeper into the mountains.

If you need/want any advice on the area, please do not hesitate to ask. There are hotels in every price range and lots of great restaurants.

Happy Planning!

Linda

 

[Abbie]

Just spent our 30th anniversary there and it was lovely. The drive through the NC mountains was breathtaking.....and quite scary sometimes with some of the truck traffic hurtling down the mountains! I had always wanted to visit the Biltmore and glad we finally did. It's a nice place to visit!

 

[LilyWDW]

I spend a lot of time in Asheville because I live only about 45 mins from there! In fact, been wanting to take another trip soon, but it has been so dang hot! I could spend days just walking around downtown, shopping, and looking at the galleries.

However, I do need a new place to eat. We just got a Mellow Mushroom here so no reason to go to the one in Asheville anymore.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

DH and the in-laws are from Asheville. It is beautiful and there is a TON to do there, including lots of awesome restaurants to check out. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or would like some tips!

 

[TTFN]

We're just back from a week in Black Mountain, which is just east of Asheville. Had a great time! We were a group of 17 and stayed at Cabin Creek Lodge. None of us did the Biltmore Estate; it was just too hot, and the $60 entrance fee was a bit much. The Arboretum was great, the Folk Life Center is always good to visit, we went to Mt. Mitchell and enjoyed the views, and did a trolley tour of Asheville that was very interesting. Highly recommend Twelve Bones restaurant if you like ribs or bbq.

 

[LJC1861]

12 Bones is great and a favorite of President Obama. He dined there when he was campaigning and then again when he came to visit for a weekend back in April. On that trip they stopped at 12 bones before they did anything else. If you go, go early and be prepared to wait. Also know that they are only open until 4 M-Sat.


Linda

 

[tiggerlover]

Thank you so much for your replies! The more I read about the area the more I can't wait to visit. A couple of questions, we are tossing around going in October or the end of April. I know in October the foilage should be beautiful, so tell me what the pros about an April trip would be. Also, how far is Chimney Rock from Asheville? I've seen alot regarding the Biltmore, is it really worth the price for a family of three to visit?

 

[LJC1861]

Thank you so much for your replies! The more I read about the area the more I can't wait to visit. A couple of questions, we are tossing around going in October or the end of April. I know in October the foilage should be beautiful, so tell me what the pros about an April trip would be. Also, how far is Chimney Rock from Asheville? I've seen alot regarding the Biltmore, is it really worth the price for a family of three to visit?

In a word YES!!!! Biltmore is worth the money to visit. There is the house itself, the gardens, the new Antler Hill Village shopping area, the farm village, the winery....it can be a full day. Kids under 16 are free during some parts of the year. If you go in April you will hit the Festival of Flowers where the Estate is decorated in thousands of tulips. Either time of year, April or October should be beautiful. April can be rainy, but it should be pretty warm. Don't necessarily plan on catching foliage in October....sometimes it can come as late as November. For more info check out www.biltmore.com. If you do go, I highly recommend spending the money on the audio tour. It gives you so much insight into what life was like for the Vanderbilt family living in the house. The admission cost is high because the family takes no public funds or federal money to keep it in operation. The Estate is the largest privately owned home in the country.

Chimney Rock is about 40 minutes from Asheville, and worth the drive. The Rock itself is amazing....an elevator carved into the rock mountain takes you up and the view is incredible! On a clear day you can see for 50 ish miles. There are fabulous hiking trails including an easy hike along the Hickory Nut trail to a fantastic waterfall that was used in the movie "The Last of the Mohicans." The little town just outside the park is filled with cheesy souvie shops and there is a beautiful creek that runs through town. Just a bit further is Lake Lure, where Dirty Dancing was shot. There is a town beach and a marina where you can take a pontoon boat tour of the lake.

Have fun planning your trip!

Linda

 

[tiggerlover]

Linda,

Thanks so much for all of the information, it really is helpful. It is looking like we are leaning towards April as I just found out DS's school is open for Columbus Day, so I think it will have to be Spring break. We would probably have 3 days in Asheville and I would definitely like to include Chimney Rock it sounds like a really neat place. I am wondering if maybe we should spend one night in Chimney Rock and then travel on to Asheville or hit Chimney Rock on our way back to VA. I ordered an Asheville travel guide so hopefully that would be helpful in our planning. Do you know anything about Mountain Springs Cabins in Asheville? I've read about them online and they look like a nice place to stay.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Debbi

 

[tiggerlover]

PS - Have you ever heard of Ghost Town in the Sky? If so, is it near Asheville?

 

[tar heel]

Ghost Town has had financial problems and been open off and on the past few years. It did not open this year b/c of a mudslide. I don't know how much damage it did to the park, but some of the houses below had a lot of damage.

 

[tiggerlover]

Ghost Town has had financial problems and been open off and on the past few years. It did not open this year b/c of a mudslide. I don't know how much damage it did to the park, but some of the houses below had a lot of damage.

Wow, that is too bad. Thanks for the info, it may explain why the website won't work.

 

[sharlon]

Another Asheville resident here. Linda has given you some spot on info. You mentioned possibly hitting Chimney Rock on your way back to VA. Just an FYI, it's the opposite direction. Chimney Rock is south of Asheville, so you would be backtracking.

 

[LJC1861]

Debbie,

Chimney Rock/Lake Lure is definitely just a day trip from Asheville. It is also south of town so not really on the way to or from Virginia.

April will be a fantastic time to visit. Biltmore is beautiful at that time of year and the Arboretum will be green and flowery as well. The NC Arboretum has great gardens and the biggest Bonsai Exhibit on the east coast. There are miles of hiking trails that go down to a river with beautiful azalea gardens there as well.

The Folk Art Center is full of very high quality crafts all made by members of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild. There is also a museum on site that features different local artists. The walls leading up to the museum part are covered with some absolutely incredible quilts.

Ghost Town in the Sky is in my opinion a waste of time and money, if it is even going to be open in April. As another poster mentioned they have been plagued with financial problems for years. When it is open the park is truly a Ghost Town as there are very few visitors there.

As far as the cabins you mentioned....I have not heard of them but I will do some research for you.

Linda

 

[tiggerlover]

Y'all have been very helpful, thank you once again. The more research I do the more excited I get, the area seems wonderful. We will be travelling with my 14 year old son and I really think he will love Chimney Rock and the hiking. He has asked about the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad, does anyone know how far that is from Asheville?

Tentatively we are thinking of leaving VA early afternoon on a Friday and driving a good distance, spending the night along the way, then getting up early Saturday to get into Asheville. That would give us most of the day Saturday, all day Sunday and Monday and possibly Tuesday, but Tuesday is questionable.

I haven't thought to ask about restaurants, are there any cool places or really good places that would be recommended?

TIA

 

[tiggerlover]

Bump