Here, in
WNC-Tour-Guide.com, you'll view samples of some of the many things that make our Blue Ridge
Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains so attractive. We'll show
you Asheville in
Buncombe County and the world
famous
Biltmore House and Gardens. We'll take you to
Maggie Valley
in Haywood County, home of the
Cataloochie Ski Resort,
Soco
Gardens Zoo and
Ghost Town.
You get to check out Nantahala River Gorge in the Nantahala
National Forest where those in the know go for the best in
kayaking and Nantahala River rafting.
In Graham County,
WNC-Tour-Guide will guide you on a scenic adventure along the famous
Cherohala Skyway,
then by Fontana
Lake and Dam and, perhaps, a stop at the
Joyce Kilmer
Memorial Forest. If you've brought your bikes, you can even
explore the Tsali Trail which skirts the
Fontana Reservoir.
A
trip to Cherokee in Swain County will take you by the Cherokee
Bear Zoo, the Cherokee Indian Museum, the Oconaluftee Indian
Village and, if you enjoy gaming, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, all
on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. In the summer, the Cherokees
put on their famous Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama. If
you have kids with you, they will probably enjoy tubing at the
nearby Deep Creek Tubes.
Heading south from Cherokee,
the WNC-Tour-Guide helps you visit northern Jackson County, home of Western
Carolina University, and the
Great Smoky
Mountain Railway.
Instead to taking the direct route to Franklin (US-441) you can
enjoy a drive on the western and southern legs of the
Mountain Waters
Scenic Byway which route you through some of the most
beautiful parts of the Pisgah National Forest.
Passing through Lauada
you'll then head southward along the
Little Tennessee River to Franklin and US-64.
Now head eastward
to Highlands along the majestic Cullusaja Gorge. US-64 takes you
by some more waterfalls to the quaint town of
Brevard in
Transylvania County (and some
very nice restaurants).
A little east of Brevard you will encounter US-276 northbound which
passes by
Looking Glass Falls, Moore
Cove
Creek Falls,
Sliding Rock Falls and
Slick
Rock Falls as it climbs up the mountain to the
Blue Ridge
Parkway. You could take a little side trip at the Fish Hatchery
and see
Cove Creek Falls and
Daniel
Ridge Falls.
Heading north on the Parkway you will see Mt. Pisgah (and another
great restaurant with splendid views right from your table). The
Parkway will take you back to Asheville but, instead, take the
North Carolina Arboretum
exit.
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in column 2) |
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from column 1)
Fairly
new to the area, the North Carolina Arboretum has as its primary
mission the preservation and display of native flora. The
Arboretum's 426 acres
feature a broad variety of gardens including a 'Quilt Garden'
(like a giant bed quilt) which undergoes major seasonal re-designs.
Though specializing in
native plants, they also have some very specialized gardens
(e.g., a super azalea garden with dozens of varieties and a large
Bonsai garden).
When you exit the Arboretum, turn left, go to the stop light, turn
right and then take the first left. At the next light turn left,
again, which will take you to I-26. Turn right onto the
eastbound on-ramp. Now you can tour
Historic Hendersonville
(exit 44). From downtown, take 6th Avenue (it's one-way heading
east) which becomes Four Seasons Blvd. Here you'll find a vast
commercial strip including everything from fast-food eateries to
the Blue Ridge Shopping Mall. Continuing east of Four Seasons,
take the east-bound on-ramp of I-26 which will take you by Historic
Saluda (exit 59) and at exit 67 is Columbus, county seat of
Polk
County — horse country. If, at the end of the exit ramp (at the
traffic circle) you head to the right you can visit Tryon, site
of the famous annual Tryon Steeplechase.
Head back to the freeway but take the on-ramp to US-74 east.This
will take you to Rutherford County and the tri-cities:
Forest
City, Spindale and Rutherfordton. Forest City is especially
spectacular during the Christmas season.
US-221 northbound will take you to
McDowell County and Marion. Lake James (the classic film,
Last of the
Mohicans was filmed at Lake James). Continuing
northbound of US-221 will take you to Linville Caverns and the mammoth Linville Falls
— and back to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Head west on the Parkway to return to Asheville. On the way you
will cross NC-80 (heading north on NC-80 will take you to the
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area and the South Toe River.
Continuing west of the Parkway will bring you to NC-128 which is
the access road to Mt. Mitchell, tallest mountain in the eastern
United States.
Here, in WNCTG.com, you can let you computer mouse lead you to
descriptions of the many attractions and adventures Western
North Carolina mountains have to offer. Then plan your day's
activities and you'll know exactly where to go. And, while
you're looking, we have included links to convenient,
comfortable
hotels and motels
any of which would delight in being your host. And, yes, you can
make instant, on-line reservations and receive an immediate,
printed confirmation.
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