Also, quite beautiful is the North Carolina Arboretum. Special exhibits, hiking trails, birdwatching, and an extraordinary bonsai collection are just a sampling of what the Arboretum has to offer, and around the holidays, the light shows are magical.
For those who enjoy an occasional libation, there are approximately 100 local beers offered in Asheville, and they have more breweries per capita than in any other city in the US.
If you prefer wine, close to 60 wineries call the mountains of Western North Carolina home. They range from small family-owned businesses to the famous Biltmore Winery.
Hiking near Asheville
Photo: Margaret Wiktor
If you’re up for a side trip to Bryson, about an hour and a half drive northeast from Asheville, you’ll discover the Bryson Wine Train. Similar to the Napa Wine Train in California, you’ll travel along the railroad in a deluxe first-class car and enjoy a 4-course meal paired with excellent wines.
My dear friend Sally Ekaireb, a holistic counselor, is a recent transplant from New York City. I asked Sally to share with us some of her favorite things to do in her new home town.
“NC [the Asheville area] is home to over 250 waterfalls so if one visits in the summertime, going to Triple Falls in DuPont Park is a great hike and swim combination.”
Other hikes in the Asheville area that Sally loves include the Craggy Gardens off the Blue Ridge Highway. As she said, “If one visits when the flowers are in bloom, the views are stunning.” She also suggested, “One can head up to the Hot Springs area and after a hike, get a massage and bathe in the hot tubs.”
When it comes to art and culture, Ashville has a vast array of wonderful options for visitors. If you’re a fan of classical music there’s the Asheville Chamber Music series. As their slogan says, “Bringing World-Class Chamber Music to Western North Carolina for 67 years.”
Or if you prefer theatre, the Diana Wortham Theater offers staged productions as well as concerts and dance performances. There’s also the North Carolina Stage Company, a professional equity theatre located in downtown Asheville.
And there’s the beloved Montford Park Players offering Shakespeare in the park, May through September at the outdoor Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. All the performances are free.
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville
It seems as though each trip I make to Asheville I happily end up stopping by the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it highlights the craftsmanship of Southern Appalachians who do woodworking, pottery, jewelry, and basket weaving. Objects range from simple woodcut print notecards to magnificent carved furniture, like dining tables and rocking chairs. Most pieces are nature-oriented, organic, and thus made from natural materials. They are all quite extraordinary.
