Fun stuff to do WNC area (carnival, jewelry, information)
Western North CarolinaThe Mountain Region including Asheville
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Any suggestions for Wintertime activities? Visitor coming from France this Xmas; I don’t think Biltmore will be very special.
Ideas off the top of my ol'nogging:
-Lazoom bus tour of Asheville. Corny, fun, some history/skits/comedy et al. Couple hours.
Then wander around downtown A'ville. Most Decembers there are not exactly polar conditions.
-Winters lights at NC Arboretum, night time obviously, pretty well done.
-Folk Art Ctr on the BRPkway, a hour or two. That section of the BRPkway is rarely closed in December.
-Museum of the Cherokee People Interesting, couple hours, though the commute from A'ville and back may be not handy to you. https://www.cherokeemuseum.org/
-Biltmore Xmas time: Yes, people from Europa may be less than impressed with an American example of a 'castle', but worth a trip if your friends are interested. Half a day+, and rez needed 'now' to get in during the holiday candle light set up.
-Parts of the BRPkway will/should be open for drives/waterfalls/low impact hikes, etc. Even if closed due to snow/ice, most entrances provide for driving up to gate and going for a walk into the area(s).
-Biltmore Village: holiday lights up, stores open, walk around.
-Beer and joints in A'ville
Check out Romantic Asheville, et al for more ideas.
Barring a weird, unusual cold front/storm, 'December' in lower elevation Asheville is not like Duluth in January!
That's tough. They are not going to be wowed by our ski slopes here in the Southeast when they have the Alps, either. I would concentrate on the particularly American things then. Maybe try to catch some Bluegrass or Country Music? A trip to the Mast General Store? (The old original one in Valle Crucis is especially evocative and interesting.)
Any suggestions for Wintertime activities? Visitor coming from France this Xmas; I don’t think Biltmore will be very special.
Last time my sister visited from Germany we went to New Morning Gallery in Asheville,they liked it so much that they want to go again when they visit later this month.
Reporting back on Lake Jocasse. It was blistering hot there yesterday so we decided canoes/kayaks would not be ideal, opted to go the old fogey route and rent a pontoon so we'd have some shade and not have to work for our fun! It is gorgeous scenery and unlike Lake Keowee the shoreline isn't all built up (as we were told). Swimming was lovely, refreshing, lots of blue gill babies to play with, saw a couple of turtles, one eagle and a group (gaggle? swarm? flock?) of turkey vultures - sorry no pics. We brought coolers with drinks and food and set out to see the 'waterfalls' in 4 different locations on the lake. I'll tell you not to bother and just seek out places to swim/fish/whatever instead. Once you're seen some of the waterfalls here in NC, those are not worth the effort and you just spend a lot of time trying to cover territory. It was a 4 hour rental, they gave us 4.5 which was more than enough. Pontoons are great for what they are but you can't escape the noise while you're in motion. All in all we had a great time, will def go back, maybe stay 3-4 nights and be more leisurely in our relaxing and exploring beyond the lake.
Reporting back on Lake Jocasse. It was blistering hot there yesterday so we decided canoes/kayaks would not be ideal, opted to go the old fogey route and rent a pontoon so we'd have some shade and not have to work for our fun! It is gorgeous scenery and unlike Lake Keowee the shoreline isn't all built up (as we were told). Swimming was lovely, refreshing, lots of blue gill babies to play with, saw a couple of turtles, one eagle and a group (gaggle? swarm? flock?) of turkey vultures - sorry no pics. We brought coolers with drinks and food and set out to see the 'waterfalls' in 4 different locations on the lake. I'll tell you not to bother and just seek out places to swim/fish/whatever instead. Once you're seen some of the waterfalls here in NC, those are not worth the effort and you just spend a lot of time trying to cover territory. It was a 4 hour rental, they gave us 4.5 which was more than enough. Pontoons are great for what they are but you can't escape the noise while you're in motion. All in all we had a great time, will def go back, maybe stay 3-4 nights and be more leisurely in our relaxing and exploring beyond the lake.
Reporting back on Lake Jocasse. It was blistering hot there yesterday so we decided canoes/kayaks would not be ideal, opted to go the old fogey route and rent a pontoon so we'd have some shade and not have to work for our fun! It is gorgeous scenery and unlike Lake Keowee the shoreline isn't all built up (as we were told). Swimming was lovely, refreshing, lots of blue gill babies to play with, saw a couple of turtles, one eagle and a group (gaggle? swarm? flock?) of turkey vultures - sorry no pics. We brought coolers with drinks and food and set out to see the 'waterfalls' in 4 different locations on the lake. I'll tell you not to bother and just seek out places to swim/fish/whatever instead. Once you're seen some of the waterfalls here in NC, those are not worth the effort and you just spend a lot of time trying to cover territory. It was a 4 hour rental, they gave us 4.5 which was more than enough. Pontoons are great for what they are but you can't escape the noise while you're in motion. All in all we had a great time, will def go back, maybe stay 3-4 nights and be more leisurely in our relaxing and exploring beyond the lake.
Reporting back on Lake Jocasse. It was blistering hot there yesterday so we decided canoes/kayaks would not be ideal, opted to go the old fogey route and rent a pontoon so we'd have some shade and not have to work for our fun! It is gorgeous scenery and unlike Lake Keowee the shoreline isn't all built up (as we were told). Swimming was lovely, refreshing, lots of blue gill babies to play with, saw a couple of turtles, one eagle and a group (gaggle? swarm? flock?) of turkey vultures - sorry no pics. We brought coolers with drinks and food and set out to see the 'waterfalls' in 4 different locations on the lake. I'll tell you not to bother and just seek out places to swim/fish/whatever instead. Once you're seen some of the waterfalls here in NC, those are not worth the effort and you just spend a lot of time trying to cover territory. It was a 4 hour rental, they gave us 4.5 which was more than enough. Pontoons are great for what they are but you can't escape the noise while you're in motion. All in all we had a great time, will def go back, maybe stay 3-4 nights and be more leisurely in our relaxing and exploring beyond the lake.
Thank you all for the winter entertainment suggestions. I think because winter in WNC is so varied, we will just have to “ play it by ear” at the time( as far as road openings etc). Certainly want to catch some bluegrass!
Thank you all for the winter entertainment suggestions. I think because winter in WNC is so varied, we will just have to “ play it by ear” at the time( as far as road openings etc). Certainly want to catch some bluegrass!
Check WNCW 88.7 FM radio schedule for the best Bluegrass broadcast in WNC.
Is there still the gingerbread house competition at Grove Park Inn in December? That was spectacular.
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It is gorgeous scenery and unlike Lake Keowee the shoreline isn't all built up (as we were told). Swimming was lovely, refreshing, lots of blue gill babies to play with, saw a couple of turtles, one eagle and a group (gaggle? swarm? flock?) of turkey vultures - sorry no pics. We brought coolers with drinks and food and set out to see the 'waterfalls' in 4 different locations on the lake. I'll tell you not to bother and just seek out places to swim/fish/whatever instead. Once you're seen some of the waterfalls here in NC, those are not worth the effort and you just spend a lot of time trying to cover territory. It was a 4 hour rental, they gave us 4.5 which was more than enough. Pontoons are great for what they are but you can't escape the noise while you're in motion. All in all we had a great time, will def go back, maybe stay 3-4 nights and be more leisurely in our relaxing and exploring beyond the lake. 
Thanks
