beltwayandbeyondWhile the beaches of North Carolina’s east coast get a lot of attention, the state’s western region is not to be overlooked. Winding drives and breathtaking overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, getting lost in secret gardens, and sipping on some of the country’s best craft beer are only a few of the must-do activities when you visit the North Carolina mountains. The mountains called and we went! Check out the endless views from Asheville, NC.
Not a bad view for our first RV trip! Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is bursting at the seams with natural beauty. We spent almost every waking hour outside, making sure to start and end our days with a panoramic view of the mountains.
Asheville has as many craft breweries as it does mountain overlooks and black bears. With over 30 breweries, each with its own unique brews and vibe, you’re going to have to pace yourself!
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs from Virginia to North Carolina, and like the Pacific Coast Highway, the destination is the ride. Milepost 340 to 469 winds you along the final stretch of the southern part of the parkway, through the beautiful Pisgah Region and ends in Cherokee, NC. Have your camera ready and stop often!
It’s very easy to spend an entire day wandering the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. While tours of the mansion are available, we spent the afternoon outside exploring the grounds, getting lost in the maze of gardens, and treating ourselves to ice cream in the Antler Hill Village.
Western North Carolina is a prime spot for hiking. Asheville is the perfect homebase for hikes through Pisgah National Forest, Great Smoky National Park, and Chimney Rock State Park. There are also miles and miles of trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway, including a short hike up to Craggy Gardens, a trail teaming with rhododendrons in June!
If you’re a flower lover, Asheville in the late spring or early summer will not disappoint! We took in the vibrant colors and smells of the plants and flowers at the North Carolina Arboretum and Biltmore Gardens, each with miles of paths through acres of gardens.
