Blue Ridge Mountains near our B&B and Cabins
What to do? Here are some of our favorite things to see and do in the Asheville area. Biltmore Estate Plan your getaway to George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate, just 15 minutes from our cabins and bed & breakfast. Mr. Vanderbilt created Biltmore as an escape from everyday life. Now, his descendants invite you to enjoy his legacy of hospitality. Your admission includes self-guided tours of the breathtaking Biltmore House & Gardens and the new Antler Hill Village—featuring the Winery, The Biltmore Legacy, Village Green, and Farm. Play in the 8,000-acre backyard with an array of outdoor activities, indulge in one-of-a-kind shopping, and savor their restaurants' exceptional fare. Visit Biltmore in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC and let it inspire you. Completed in 1895, George Vanderbilt's 250–room French château is a real life wonder. Enjoy a self–guided visit of America's largest home® and learn about the families who lived and worked here. Frederick Law Olmsted, whose designs include New York's Central Park, took on the monumental task of planning the estate's gardens and grounds. Discover his mastery of landscape design through acres of beautiful gardens and our grand Conservatory. A self–guided visit of Biltmore House & Gardens is included in estate admission. In–depth audio tour and guided specialty tours are available. Whether you're interested in tasting complimentary Biltmore wine, learning more about the art and science of winemaking, or just relaxing with some delicious food and wine in a beautiful setting during your estate visit, you must include their Winery during your visit (included in your ticket). We suggest you take an entire day to explore. Biltmore Estate Website. Downtown Asheville Downtown Asheville is a fun place. Artists and street musicians converge with tourists and locals for a vibrancy rarely found in a city of this size. There is always something happening downtown with hundreds of shops to browse and more than 50 restaurants. Art abounds in 30+ galleries. Enjoy java at one of the many coffee shops and enjoy live music in the evening in several nightclubs and the Orange Peel. Go to one of the many festivals in Park Square Park. Enjoy its rich architectural legacy with its mix of Art Deco, Beaux Arts and Neoclassical styles is the perfect backdrop to the city’s edgy energy. And did we mention the great people watching? Downtown Asheville Guide. Blue Ridge Parkway A drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway is slow paced and relaxing, designed as a "drive awhile and stop awhile" experience. Please don't be in a hurry! Overlooks, picnic areas, campgrounds, visitor centers, hiking trails, and other areas of interest are available along the road. The best way to experience this place is to take advantage of these opportunities. Short trails offer the chance to get away from the road and see the Blue Ridge up close and personal, even if just for a few minutes. Longer trails are also available for the more adventurous. Bicycling, photography, birdwatching, and practically any other responsible outdoor activity is available for the Parkway visitor! Hundreds of overlooks allow opportunities to catch a glimpse of sunrises or sunsets, have a picnic, or just enjoy the view across the mountains and valleys of the region. Tthere are ranger programs at most developed areas during the summer and autumn months. The Parkway offers 100 trails ranging from short "leg-stretcher" walks to the Appalachian Trail. It's an excellent location for both wildflower walks in the springtime and brilliant leaf color in the autumn. May is probably the best month for wildflowers. Look for Rhododendron in mid June! Blue Ridge Parkway Guide. Waynesville Waynesville has a lively and friendly downtown with unique shops, art galleries, cafés and restaurants - all within walking distance on Main Street's tree lined brick sidewalks. Its historic buildings, relaxing benches and quaint charm make Waynesville a thoroughly enjoyable place to visit. Numerous popular events and festivals take place downtown throughout the year. The heart of Appalachian culture and heritage, Waynesville hosts FOLKMOOT USA, North Carolina's official international music and dance festival annually. Downtown Waynesville Website. Pisgah National Forest The Pisgah National Forest covers 510,119 acres of mountainous terrain. Elevations reach over 6,000 feet and include some of the highest mountains in the eastern United States. Mount Mitchell, in Mount Mitchell State Park, is the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River and lies just outside the boundary of Pisgah National Forest. The forest also includes tracts surrounding the city of Asheville, the town of Brevard and land in the French Broad River Valley. Recreational opportunities include hiking and backpacking, among others. Pisgah National Forest Guide. Waterfalls Welcome to the Land of the Waterfalls. Some of the favorite nearby waterfalls include Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock the falls at Dupont State Forest. See the Top 20 Waterfalls near Asheville. Hiking There are hundreds of hiking trails nearby. Find them along the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Pisgah National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the Top 40 Hikes near Asheville. Art Visit hundreds of art galleries and artist studios in Asheville, Waynesville and throughout our Blue Ridge Mountain area. Don't miss the Folk Art Center for the best of regional art and demonstrations. Chimney Rock Park Chimney Rock is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and spend time with family and friends. Overlooking Lake Lure, Chimney Rock offers the best of the mountains in one place – spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more. Chimney Rock Website. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Online Guide. NC Arboretum Whether you enjoy strolling through gardens, exploring exhibits, enriching your mind or hiking and biking, the Arboretum offers activities for all ages, including a 434-acre natural treasure with 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, engaging indoor and outdoor exhibits that cultivate connections between people and plants and one of the finest, most unique bonsai collections in the United States. NC Arboretum Website. Brevard Experience the home town feeling in downtown Brevard. As a vibrant hub for the arts, the downtown is also the crossroads to exceptional outdoor recreation, connecting to national and state forests. Home to the white squirrel, the downtown is host to several annual festivals and special events (including the White Squirrel Music Festival, the Squirrel Box Derby, and the Old Time Music Competition). Downtown Brevard Website. Whitewater Rafting There are plenty of whitewater rafting and kayaking nearby - for all skill levels. So no experience necessary! The nearby Nantahala River has many rafting companies that offer guided and self guided rides. Whitewater Rafting Guide.