Western North Carolina has so many opportunities with things to do and see during your visit. This brief list is just a few suggestions to get you vacation started.
Wet the Whistle
If you fly into AVL then you should immediately wet your whistle at the Marathon Gas Station adjacent to the airport at 95 Terminal Dr, Fletcher. The station is located adjacent to rideshare and the airport exit and has 15 taps of local brews.
Sierra Nevada
There is no closer brewery to the airport than Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. which is 7 minutes away at 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River.
Biltmore Estate
No trip to Asheville would be complete without visiting Biltmore, America’s largest home. The 8,000-acre estate is home to the 175,000 square foot Biltmore House designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt. The formal and informal gardens were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Take time to enjoy the mountains by driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and pulling off at every overlook to enjoy the views and relax. Keep in mind the maximum speed limit is 45 mph and often the speed limit drops to 35 mph so be patient, pull off often, and relax. The BRP can take you to Cherokee or to Mount Mitchell.
Mount Mitchell
Mount Mitchell is the highest point (6,684 feet) east of the Mississippi River and only accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plan extra time to walk around and smell the trees as you summit via an easy hike.
White Squirrels
If you have never seen a leucitic white squirrel then head to Brevard. These squirrels are not albino, they are leucitic. Brevard is the “White Squirrel Capital of the World” and the leucitic Eastern Gray squirrels make up about one third of the town’s squirrel population. At Brevard College you are almost guaranteed to see them in action.
Catawba Falls
There are numerous hikes and things to see, but Catawba Falls is routinely mentioned as an excursion people enjoy. A relatively short hike of around miles, the impressive falls now feature new bridges and stairs to the upper falls. If you travel to Old Fort you can visit Whaley Farms Brewery and Hillman Beer which were both damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Judaculla Rock
In Jackson County there is a soapstone boulder which is an ancient petroglyph site. The Judaculla Rock dates back to the end of the Ice Age.
Cherokee
Cherokee is an easy 90 minute drive from Asheville. It offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You can visit the Museum of the Cherokee People, the local casino, or try to spot the herd of elk which are native to the area.