Although we could give you dozens of reasons to visit our amazing piece of heaven in western NC, we narrowed it down to our top 5 reasons to visit Asheville. Nestled between the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway, we are privy to spectacular weather all year long! We enjoy one of the longest seasons for fall leaf color, experience just enough snow to make it feel wintery, gaze at our gorgeous blooms in spring, and thrive with the varying elevations and cooling breezes in summer.
A quick word of caution, we like to think we are a hidden gem for the perfect vacation, but the word is getting out. Once you see all our area has to offer, you will want to book your stay right away! Let’s move on to our favorite five.
1. The Outdoor Scenery
The early Cherokee people referred to our area as “Schonage” (Sha-Kon–O-Hey) which means “the land of blue smoke.” Early settlers used this term when they named the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The blue smoke refers to the fog rising from the vegetation in the area. The blue color comes from the high density of pine trees, which in the fog vapor scatters blue light from the sky. Almost every morning, the views from your balcony at Wildberry Lodge will remind you of why the mountains have been named “Smoky.”
You probably don’t want to just look at the scenery, although a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t a bad idea. There are so many outdoor activities to choose from! For example, you could take a hike, or visit some of our amazing waterfalls! If you want to get into the water, there is plenty of watersports to try. Maybe you are working on checking off some items on your bucket list such as visits to National Parks. We can help you do that, too!
2. The “Foodie” Scene
With all of that outdoor activity, you’ll surely build up an appetite! Good thing that Asheville was named the #1 foodie destination in a recent Yelp survey — for the second time! To help you choose from the myriad of options, we have put together a guide to Asheville’s top restaurants! If you prefer to dine outside when the weather is fine, we have you covered with our five favorites! If you want to go a little more “rogue,” try a fun foraging tour, ending up with your finds cooked for you at a top restaurant!
3. The Art Scene
Believe it or not, the art scene is just as bustling as the foodie! The River Arts District (RAD), formerly home to a series of mills, is now home to over 270 working artists! Spend a day and visit these talented artists creating n their studios! Make sure you stop and see the gorgeous murals that are scattered throughout the city. If you are lucky enough to visit during one of the twice-yearly LEAF festivals, you will get a taste of many different art forms.
4. The Music Scene
The past few years have not been easy for any venue featuring live music, but Asheville is lucky in that most spots are now open again and back to normal! You are sure to find your favorite music genre just about any night of the week. If you are visiting during the summer, there are numerous music festivals just outside the city that allow you to dance to the music al fresco.
5. The Biltmore
You cannot talk about Asheville without mention of George and Edith Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate. As if the magnificent building were not enough, the grounds are worth a visit by themself, and there is plenty of space for hiking, bird-watching, and even kayaking. The property is spectacular any time of year, but we are particularly fond of the wintertime candlelit tours. The huge live Christmas tree is a sight to see!
As we said, there are dozens of other reasons to visit our corner of Western NC, but these 5 reasons to visit Asheville should have you already checking your calendar for your next available dates! All that is left is for you to call or book online! If we haven’t been able to pique your curiosity, and you have some additional questions, just give us a call! There aren’t many people more enthusiastic about our area!
(updated July 2022)
