July Favorite Things

Last month in our Favorite Things series, we explored the best things to do along North Carolina’s Golden Coast. This month, we’re going west! While North Carolina continues to observe social distancing guidelines, some of the best activities for Summer 2020 are going to include the great outdoors.

Go ahead and buckle up, we’re road tripping to the gorgeous North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains for July!

Opportunities to Explore History and Culture

• The Folk Art Center — Located right as you enter the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville. Here you will find a museum celebrating Appalachian craft traditions from artists spanning the various cultures that have shared this land.
• Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway — Built during Roosevelt’s New Deal Era to help American communities recover from the Great Depression, the Blue Ridge Parkway remains one of the most valuable parts of Western NC because it brings sightseers from all over the country! The road and much of the surrounding areas are protected by the National Park Service. There are many historic landmarks, views, visitor’s centers/museums, and wildlife to be seen along the way. Be sure to check ahead of time to see what’s open any time you travel the parkway. Certain locations are always subject to closing for repairs and other various projects/weather-related events.
• Biltmore Estate — This luxurious mountain home to George and Edith Vanderbilt was completed in 1895 and remains the pinnacle of mountain luxury to this day. Visitors from all over the world love to check out all that Biltmore has to offer, from guided tours of the mansion to garden events and art shows.

The Best Dining With a View

• Plant — To get the full Asheville feel, you’ll have to stop in for a vegan meal at Plant! They have been rated among the top vegan restaurants in the country! Whether you’re vegan or not, it’s worth being a little adventurous and trying new things! Especially if you want that local Asheville flavor while you’re visiting. It’s only a few minutes from downtown, too!
• Newman’s Restaurant — If you’re looking for beautiful mountain views and delicious Southern comfort food made from fresh, local ingredients, then look no further! Located in Saluda as a part of the charming Orchard Inn.
• Star Diner — Southern fusion gets no better than what you’ll find at Star Diner! As a small family-owned and operated restaurant snuggled in quaint Marshall, the expert chef and his team create thoughtful seasonal dishes that will definitely leave you wanting more!
• Madison’s — If the name of your game is a nice romantic dinner, this will be your spot ❤️

For the Hikers

• Devil’s Courthouse — Located in Pisgah National Forest. This is a beautiful wooded hike that leads to stunning 360 views!
• Craggy Gardens — Not far from Asheville. Look for milepost 364 along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a great place to view wildflowers and find another absolutely gorgeous 360 viewpoint.
• Graveyard Fields — South of Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile 418.8, you’ll find Graveyard Fields and Waterfall. This is an excellent and easily accessible hike to get all your favorite things— rhododendron, waterfalls and mountain rivers, views, etc. We highly recommend this hike in the fall.
• Linville Falls — You could easily spend DAYS exploring the Linville Gorge area! The Linville Gorge wilderness is great for day hikes as well as backpacking. There are several falls to hike to as well as some truly marvelous views. Pro tip- if you go backpacking, wake up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains by camping near a viewpoint.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Probably the most impressive National Parks managed land in NC! The Great Smoky Mountains spans NC and eastern TN! The most popular viewpoint can be found along the Appalachian Trail at Clingman’s Dome. Definitely bring your good camera for a photo op 😉 
• Transylvania Co Waterfalls (Brevard, NC) — If you need to find some nice waterfalls and rivers, Transylvania Co. is definitely the place to be!
• Grandfather Mountain — While there are some nice family-friendly trails at Grandfather Mountain, there are also some seriously steep and strenuous trails not for the faint of heart. These trails feature cliffs, ladders, ropes, and probably the best views in all of North Carolina! Take it from us— you’ll want to heed the warnings for the more strenuous trails. They are only for the fittest and most daring hikers, but the views are unlike anything else in the NC mountains!

Family Fun

• Sliding Rock — Located near Brevard, NC, Sliding Rock is excellent fun for the entire family. The cool mountain water will definitely give you a shock as you slide down a beautiful natural waterslide into the enchanting pools below. Be sure to pack out what you pack in— ie. be sure to protect our natural wonders by not littering!
• Rafting the Nantahala River — There are several opportunities to raft the Nantahala, especially if you find yourself near Cherokee and would like to take a guided tour (highly recommended to get all the best local/insider information about the scenery you will see from the river). Be careful, because the Nantahala River has up to Class V rapids! So, don’t accidentally go too far unprepared. Guided tours are a great idea and there are several excellent companies to choose from.
• Linville Caverns — If you’ve never explored any caves before, this is an excellent place to start! It’s a great opportunity for the family to learn about our state’s fascinating geological foundations!