Are you ready to get out and enjoy the warm summer weather? Western North Carolina comes to life with people, cultures, and activities. It may be synonymous with the Blue Ridge Mountains, but there’s so much more to discover.
These day trips are perfect for discovering North Carolina and enjoying the warm summer weather.
Sliding Rock
There’s no better place to escape the summer heat than sliding rock. Hidden away in Pisgah National Forest just north of Brevard is this cool water oasis.
Bring a picnic, sunbathe on the flat rocks, or swim in the eight foot deep pool. But the real attraction is the 60 foot slippery cascade that creates a natural waterslide. Nearly 11,000 gallons of water flow over the rock per minute!
Get there early; this spot is popular with locals and visitors alike. Summer is the best time to go because water temperatures are slightly warmer, and water levels are at their peak.
Waterfall tour
If you prefer to appreciate the water from afar, then you shouldn’t miss out on the North Carolina waterfalls. Located throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can visit several in a single day.
When creating your waterfall route, some are roadside, while others require a bit of a hike to reach. If your group has mobility issues, you may want to stick with the easily reached falls.
Here is a list of the more notable falls:
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Dry Falls- 75 ft., roadside, and you can walk behind it
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Looking Glass Falls- 60 ft. roadside
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Linville Falls- You can see it from the Blue Ridge Parkway or 1.6 mile round trip hike
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Rainbow Falls- 150 ft. 3 mile round trip hike
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High Falls- 150 ft. 1.5 mile round trip hike
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Bridal Veil Falls- It’s roadside with a short hike, you can walk behind it
Biltmore Estate
Calling it the largest home in America doesn't do this massive estate justice. Set on 8,000 acres in Asheville is the once home of George Vanderbilt. Construction finished in 1895 and features French Renaissance chateau styling. There are 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
It takes about two hours to do the self-guided tour through the home. When you’re finished, you can explore the old dairy barn, winery, and world-class shopping and restaurants.
Summer is the perfect time to visit the gardens where you don’t have to be a horticulturist to appreciate the immaculately kept greenery. There are the Italian, shrub, spring, azalea, walled, and rose gardens. Be sure to walk through the greenhouse to see some of the world’s most exotic tropical palms, orchids, and exotic flowers.
Downtown Brevard
There are several towns worth visiting throughout western North Carolina, including Highlands, Hendersonville, Maggie Valley, and Dillsboro. But none of them are quite like downtown Brevard. There’s plenty of shopping, art galleries, museums, live entertainment, and restaurants.
But the real attraction is the white squirrels. Kick off your summer activities in May by attending the White Squirrel Festival. It’s a celebration of these little furry creatures that call the town home with live music, vendors, and plenty of activities for the whole family.
Wheels Through Time
This unique museum brings the history of motorcycles to life with their elaborate displays and broad inventory of machinery. Five miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Maggie Valley is this collection of 350 rare machines from over 25 different manufacturers. It’ll take you some time to wander through the 38,000 square foot museum.
Make Western North Carolina Your Home
You can do each of these activities in a day, but you can’t do them all in a single day. So why not find a home and stay awhile? Our experienced and knowledgeable team is ready to help you find the perfect home to rent or buy.
Contact our team today and let us help you call North Carolina home.
