Vacation Ideas for the North Carolina Mountains

For those who want to remain outdoors when not on the golf course, hiking is always a popular activity in the North Carolina mountains. Many of the hiking trails are marked and provide public parking, such as the trails at Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Hot Springs trail on top of Max Patch, which is part of the Appalachian Trail. Pure Vida Adventures is a company that provides guided hikes for everyone from beginners to experienced backpackers. They provide day hikes that include waterfalls sightings as well as overnight hikes for the more adventurous. Half and full-day hiking trips can be set up with the guides that will take visitors through the Pisgah National Forest. The company can provide lunch on request as well.

Pure Vida Adventures
152 Hendersonville Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
(772) 579-0005
pvadventures.com

With plenty of golfing opportunities in the Asheville area, travelers can either divide their days into playing and sightseeing or provide family and friends with plenty of options for sightseeing while they are on the links. Staying at places such as the Grove Park Inn can provide all the elements of a vacation without ever leaving the property. The Inn has a golf course, world-class spa, unique gift stores featuring North Carolina crafts and first-class dining. The Inn is located within two miles of downtown Asheville, which has its own historic sites to visit. The largest house in America, the Biltmore, is only about five miles from the Inn. The Grove Park Inn is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and only a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, for those who want to spend some time sightseeing along the famous highway.

Grove Park Inn
290 Macon Ave.
Asheville, NC 28804
(800) 438-5800
groveparkinn.com

The North Carolina mountains are a haven for artisans of all kinds. Local artists display their work in almost every mountain community. No matter where you stay in the mountains, the drive to find the local craft markets is filled with the beauty and grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Blowing Rock is wonderful place to anchor a mountain vacation. In addition to the local antique and craft stores right in town, Blowing Rock is within an hour of dozens of small towns, each with their own shopping alternatives. Visitors to the high country of Blowing Rock can head out to find crafts in Boone, Linville Caverns, Asheville and Banner Elk. Walk to the local antique and craft shops from a downtown bed and breakfast like the Inn at Ragged Gardens, located just two blocks off Blowing Rock's main street.

Inn at Ragged Gardens
203 Sunset Dr.
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-9703
ragged-gardens.com