Explore Asheville

A short stay is the perfect introduction to the mountains. Most of our weekend guests arrive on a Friday afternoon, settle in, and let the property itself set the pace — the gardens, the porches, the kind of quiet you forgot existed. Saturday, head to Biltmore Estate, about fifteen minutes south. Plan at least a half day for the house and grounds; if the weather cooperates, the gardens alone are worth the visit.

For dinner, Asheville's nationally recognized food scene is ten minutes downtown. The city has more independent restaurants per capita than almost anywhere in the country, and the farm-to-table movement isn't a trend here — it's how people cook. On your way back, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north from the Biltmore entrance for a sunset drive you'll be talking about at home.

Sunday morning, breakfast is at nine — and that four-course meal from a classically trained chef is already included in your stay. Take your time. There's no rush. That's the whole point.

With a few more days, you can go deeper. Chase waterfalls at DuPont State Forest — about forty-five minutes south, near Brevard. The hike to Triple Falls is moderate, roughly three miles round trip, and you'll see three waterfalls along the way. Pair it with lunch in Brevard and you'll be back on the porch by late afternoon with time to spare.

Spend a morning at the North Carolina Arboretum, just fifteen minutes away. The bonsai garden is remarkable, the trails range from easy strolls to a real workout, and the café makes a good stop before or after. On Saturdays, the WNC Farmers Market is worth a detour — local produce, mountain honey, and baked goods you won't find anywhere else.

For the craft beverage set, Asheville delivers. Eda Rhyne Distilling in Biltmore Village makes Appalachian amaro and fernet from foraged mountain botanicals — ask for the process, it's fascinating. Ginger's Revenge specializes in alcoholic ginger beers with flavors like hibiscus lavender and lime agave. And French Broad Chocolates is right nearby. That's three stops in one afternoon, all within a short walk of each other near the River Arts District.

A full week in the mountains means you can do things properly — and still have days with nothing on the agenda but the hammock and a good book. This is when you start exploring like a local.

Drive up to Mt. Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Mississippi, about an hour north. You can drive to the summit, take in the view, and be back in time for an afternoon on the porch. For more of a full-day adventure, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad runs from Bryson City to Dillsboro — roughly ninety minutes west. It's a four-hour round trip through mountain valleys and river gorges, with a layover for lunch in Dillsboro. Spectacular in the fall.

Chimney Rock State Park is about forty-five minutes southeast and offers some of the best views in western North Carolina from the top. The road to Chimney Rock recently reopened, and the park requires reservations — plan ahead.

Branch out to the surrounding small towns. Black Mountain is twenty minutes east and has its own charm — independent shops, galleries, and good food without the downtown Asheville crowds. Weaverville is even closer, just north. And for something unexpected, ask us about elk tours in Waynesville, vintage car tours through the mountains, or the Montford neighborhood walking tours in Asheville's historic district.

Guests who stay the full week often tell us the same thing: they didn't run out of things to do, they ran out of days.