Rich history, scenic beauty, small-town charm, quirky offbeat fun... deciding the single best way to experience everything between Greenville and Asheville can be a tough choice... so why not enjoy a little bit of everything with this definitive, best of the best trip?
Military history abounds in the Carolinas... and it's not just Civil War history, either. Cowpens National Battlefield commemorates a Revolutionary War battle where Daniel Morgan and his troops pulled a rare military maneuver off against the British. Pop into the visitor center to learn about this often-forgotten engagement, and cool period in US history.
Pearson's Falls is another great detour on your way to Asheville. There's a $5 maintenance fee, but it's worth it to see how nicely managed they keep the park for visitors. The falls themselves are just a short quarter mile walk down a path.
Chimney Rock State Park's main feature is a 315-foot mountain formation that offers jaw-dropping views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. It takes about 25 minutes to hike to the top, or you can always take the elevator, built inside the mountain. The view from the top is absolutely incredible... they call it "Exclamation Point"!
The Biltmore Estate is an essential Gilded age icon, the most popular attraction in Asheville, and one of the most opulent estates in all of America. Tickets are usually around $60 a person, and the estate is normally considered an all day or even multi-day attraction, since even a tour of the house itself takes over two hours, but you can also cruise the gardens and enjoy the stunning architecture, landscape, and grounds of this stunning gem.
Asheville is a famously artsy town, and their Folk Art Center (just off the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway) is a great place to learn about the history and culture of folk art in North Carolina. Handmade goods, pottery, jewelry, and textiles are displayed in galleries here, and there's also a library where you can grab some books that provide even more info on the artsy scene in Asheville.
Asheville is a famously bohemian town, so make your way to the River Arts District for some inspiration! A group of former industrial buildings has been converted into dozens of studio spaces for artists to hone their crafts. You'll also find some killer boutiques and eateries and vintages stores, too!
31 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC, US
Renaissance Asheville Hotel, A Marriott Luxury & Lifestyle Hotel
End it all in style with a relaxing night at this downtown hotel!
