About Asheville

Ah, Asheville. Western North Carolina’s biggest city offers an amazing range of things to do. Excellent restaurants, dozens of superb art galleries, a funky downtown that’s great for shopping and people watching, and lots of free fun things to do make it a great weekend getaway.

Biltmore, the 250-room mansion and 8,000-acre grounds built by George Vanderbilt, is the area’s major draw for good reason—it’s amazing. There’s almost always something going on in town, and many times events are free—enjoy eclectic festivals, mountain music celebrations, and arts and craft shows year round. Visit the official Asheville tourism website for details and schedules.

Accommodations include charming B&Bs, inns, and hotels ranging from urban boutique hotels and luxury inns to cabins in the woods with spectacular views.

Outdoor activities are awesome here. You can hike, bike, rock climb, kayak, canoe, horseback ride, ski, camp, fish, or just about anything else you might want to do outside.

Check out these sites to discover options.
www.exploreasheville.com
www.romanticasheville.com
www.ashevillebba.com

things to do

So many things, so little time. That's the most common lament we hear from people who visit the Asheville area. And they are right... you name it, we've got it. Great restaurants, wonderful cultural events, world-class arts & crafts, and incredible outdoor activities. And everywhere you go you meet friendly folks who are happy to help you out with directions or recommendations.

Check out Asheville’s independent restaurants here; you’ll be impressed with the quality and diversity.

Festivals

Festivals in these mountains are primarily focused on local culture, especially mountain music. On Saturday nights in July and August listen to free impromptu jam sessions or stage performances at Asheville’s Shindig on the Green. For those who like really large festivals, Asheville’s Bele Chere occurs each July, featuring national, regional, and local musicians, artists, and other performers. The local Lexington Avenue Festival each September gives visitors a chance to see true Asheville diversity. And don’t miss the Asheville Film Festival each November, a growing, vibrant affair with great eclectic films.

Performing Arts

Theatre, symphony, ballet, and other cultural activities are also available in the area. Enjoy world-class symphony and other musical performances in Asheville. There is also a wonderful Asheville Choral Society, several theatres that include seating for hundreds or just a few dozen, ballet, opera, and the fun, free Shakespeare in the Park series each summer.

Arts and Crafts

Western North Carolina is known for its remarkable arts and crafts, an industry nurtured by George Vanderbilt. In building Biltmore Estate, Vanderbilt brought in artisans from across the world and tapped local artists, encouraging them to create more art. Both The New York Times and Travel + Leisure applaud Asheville as a premier arts destination. http://www.newmorninggallerync.com/ New Morning Gallery in Asheville is a visual delight and a wonderful shopping experience. Asheville’s River Arts District offers several art crawls each summer and fall, and the downtown Arts Association also hosts downtown gallery walks—these are great ways to spend a day or evening.

Local food

fresh from the farm

A great way to meet the locals and satisfy your taste buds is to visit a local tailgate market. They flourish in the mountains. Visit these from spring through late fall. Many of them offer organic produce; they all offer whatever’s fresh and local. Taste some ramps, some juicy blueberries, apples and apple cider, and a remarkable assortment of greens. Asheville offers at least a dozen different markets—the tailgate market at UNC Asheville is especially diverse, but get there early to get the best products.

Outdoor activities

Western North Carolina is also one of the nation’s top outdoor recreation areas—whitewater rafting , mountain biking, hiking the Appalachian Trail and other challenging trails, horseback riding, camping, and fishing, to name a few. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great way to spend a leisurely day driving and admiring awesome views. Both Pisgah National Forest and the Coleman Boundary are close by. Coleman Boundary is only a few minutes away from Navitat Asheville, and offers some of the wildest, most beautiful trails in the area.

accommodations

Asheville accommodations are all about choices. You can choose from four star luxuries such as The Inn on Biltmore Estate or Grove Park Inn, or find convenience and great service in downtown hotels such as the Hotel Indigo or Haywood Park Hotel . You may prefer the charm of an Asheville Bed & Breakfast establishment, or a B&B close to Navitat (we love The Hawk and Ivy). Perhaps a one-of-a-kind, rustic cabin is more your style (check out Graystone Cabins, just down the road from us). There are also many wonderful camping spots in the area.

Check out these great specials offered exclusively to Navitat guests:

Super 8 on Tunnel Road in Asheville offers a 15%-discount to Navitat guests. Mention this Navitat discount when you call to make your reservation!