Fun stuff to do WNC area (Asheville, Henderson: sales, new home, theater)
Western North CarolinaThe Mountain Region including Asheville
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Of course that is totally subjective and what's fun to me might not be to you...BUT... thought it might be useful to gather some suggestions in one thread that can be added to over time. We are barely scratching the surface of exploring our new home base and hearing from others who get out more is always nice. Any info is welcome from details on specific hikes, venues for music or festivals..... whatever you think is worth sharing.
We recently had out of town guests who wanted to see the Moog Museum in Asheville - sounded like an absolute snore to me but being good hosts, we went. Total shock, I loved the tour! Arrived about 20 minutes before the start which was just enough time to play around with all the hands on displays but not too much IYKWIM. The tour of the factory, seeing the various work stations, all hands on, nothing automated and watching that community at work was very interesting. Free Admission for museum and tour.
Another time and with other visitors we spent a couple of hours at the Appalachian Pinball Museum in Hendersonville. I understand there is a larger version in Asheville. Again, not my cup of tea but it was fun for a short time and especially fun to see our guests enjoying themselves. And it certainly is visual throwback with a huge variety of vintage machines to play. $10 admission for a full day of play, in and out whenever you want. Without playing you are welcome to walk around and just look at all the pinball machines for free.
Will report back after we go next week with friends but I'm looking forward to Saturday Night Lights at the Tryon Equestrian Center on Saturdays through Oct. Admission and parking are free, gates open at 5, there are vendors, restaurants, magicians, carousel rides, live music and of course the horses. Each night is a Grand Prix jumping event.
Not strictly WNC but we will be canoeing/kayaking on Lake Jocassee (upstate SC) next week also - fingers crossed the weather cooperates. It looks to be a gorgeous small lake.
Many of the local festivals are 'fun' to do once but haven't found many that warrant a return visit for me but there are many we haven't been to yet. Recommendations?
Lots of ideas on websites like Romantic Asheville but they can't cover it all. What have you done, where have you been that you'd suggest to others?
One Fair I would recommend is the Valle Country Fair in Valle Crucis,the setting is very picturesque,the focus is mostly on Arts&Crafts. Quite a bit of traffic getting there though! It’s on October 19th.
Of course that is totally subjective and what's fun to me might not be to you...BUT... thought it might be useful to gather some suggestions in one thread that can be added to over time. We are barely scratching the surface of exploring our new home base and hearing from others who get out more is always nice. Any info is welcome from details on specific hikes, venues for music or festivals..... whatever you think is worth sharing.
We recently had out of town guests who wanted to see the Moog Museum in Asheville - sounded like an absolute snore to me but being good hosts, we went. Total shock, I loved the tour! Arrived about 20 minutes before the start which was just enough time to play around with all the hands on displays but not too much IYKWIM. The tour of the factory, seeing the various work stations, all hands on, nothing automated and watching that community at work was very interesting. Free Admission for museum and tour.
Another time and with other visitors we spent a couple of hours at the Appalachian Pinball Museum in Hendersonville. I understand there is a larger version in Asheville. Again, not my cup of tea but it was fun for a short time and especially fun to see our guests enjoying themselves. And it certainly is visual throwback with a huge variety of vintage machines to play. $10 admission for a full day of play, in and out whenever you want. Without playing you are welcome to walk around and just look at all the pinball machines for free.
Will report back after we go next week with friends but I'm looking forward to Saturday Night Lights at the Tryon Equestrian Center on Saturdays through Oct. Admission and parking are free, gates open at 5, there are vendors, restaurants, magicians, carousel rides, live music and of course the horses. Each night is a Grand Prix jumping event.
Not strictly WNC but we will be canoeing/kayaking on Lake Jocassee (upstate SC) next week also - fingers crossed the weather cooperates. It looks to be a gorgeous small lake.
Many of the local festivals are 'fun' to do once but haven't found many that warrant a return visit for me but there are many we haven't been to yet. Recommendations?
Lots of ideas on websites like Romantic Asheville but they can't cover it all. What have you done, where have you been that you'd suggest to others?
I’ve read about Lake Jocassee,it’s supposed to have some really clear water,I’d love to check it out sometime!
Great idea Btw to put a list of great places,things to do etc. together!
I will add an 'outside' nice day TTD, esp if the guests/fam are in reasonable condition and want to do a half day+ outdoors trip.
-Zip lining: we have done it dozens of times with guests/fam members, inc our G Daughter since she was 12 ish, now 16.
One has to weigh ~ 100 lbs for gravity to work, and be able to walk, hike, climb and enjoy the ride. Several in western NC, but our fave is Navitat in Bernardsville, north of A'ville. Solid half+ day, door to door, for most. Some of the longest/fastest zip lines in western NC. Rez rec'd.
So much to see and do, this is just a small sampling, in addition to those already mentioned:
1. Boat ride on Lake Lure (Lake Lure Tours)
2. View from top of Chimney Rock
3. Fishing/boating on Lake Lure/Lake Jocassee/Lake Keowee (in SC).
4. Scenic drive to Grandfather Mountain
5. Hike the many trails.
6. Visit wineries (our favorite is Burntshirt near Hendersonville)
7. Visit Highlands, NC (small mountain town with great shopping, restaurants, and accomodations; and many waterfalls
in the area). Visit Sunset Rock and Highlands Nature Center, and hike up Whiteside mountain while there.
8. Visit Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock
9. Visit Sky Top Orchard (Flat Rock) and other orchards between Hendersonville and Lake Lure.
10.View from Jump Off Rock near Hendersonville
11.Gem and Mineral Museum, Franklin
12. Visit Hendersonville and catch one of the many Main Street events in Hendersonville (e.g., Garden Jubilee, Apple Festival, Music on Main). So many good restaurants, one of our favorites is Never Blue.
13. Attend a performance at the Flat Rock Playhouse.
14. Visit Brevard (visit galleries/shops and attend performance at Brevard College). We love The Square Root restaurant there.
15. Visit/tour Sierra Nevada Brewery (and plan to dine there - the food is quite good.)
16. Of course, a visit to Biltmore (especially like to visit during the Christmas season).
17. Nantahala River rafting.
18. Drive to/visit the many smaller mountain towns (e.g., (Waynesville, Sylva, Bryson City, Black Mountain, Saluda, Cashiers, Franklin, to name a few).
19. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway (at least some of it).
20. Enjoy Asheville's music scene.
Western NC covers about 10,000 square miles...no way to list every fun thing to do for such a large area. Suffice to say things like festivals, hiking, local, state and federal parks, restaurants, wineries, special events, concerts, theaters, art galleries, performing arts, outdoor dramas, scenic drives, casinos, historic sites, museums, shopping, hiking trails, whitewater rafting, hunting, fishing, sports, fairs, agricultural tourism, arboretums, mountain biking, etc., etc., etc. exist in abundance.
@mD - we've done the zip thing in a few countries but not here yet. On the list!
@Lizap - great list. I've done and love a number of things on there but had no idea about the Lake Lure boat ride. We need to go there again and give it another chance. Our first and only time was in Novemberish several years ago before we moved here, cloudy, cold, gray - most things were closed and the overall impression was not appealing so we never went back.
@Edward - oh Edward - don't be such an Eyore! I'm not asking for or suggesting a comprehensive list for all 10k sq miles. Just reach into that bag of tricks of yours and come up with one thing you've done that's fun and would recommend. And if you don't want to play that's ok - we'l take it from here.
@roadpony the craft fair is on my list for sure.
This doesn't come under the heading of fun necessarily, but for those who enjoy gardening a visit to Eden Brothers Seed Company in Arden is worth the time. Check out their website and daily sales & for locals who pick up there is an automatic discount over a certain dollar amount.
I’ve read about Lake Jocassee,it’s supposed to have some really clear water,I’d love to check it out sometime!
Great idea Btw to put a list of great places,things to do etc. together!
It is very clear. I've been swimming there in the past.
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