Find solution
What is the best camping spot in Asheville NC?

What outdoorsy activity should we do in Asheville, NC?

  • My wife and I are going to Asheville, NC this weekend. We plan to spend most of our time relaxing, shopping, eating out, and chilling at the spa (we're staying at the Grove Park Inn - best spa ever). We would like to plan one or two outdoorsy activities for one day - maybe 5 hours maximum. We need some advice on what to do and where to do it. We are not particularly outdoorsy - I enjoy hiking, whitewater rafting, picnicking, etc, although I don't think I could handle anything too strenuous. I don't think I've gone on a hike in a decade. My wife doesn't typically enjoy outdoor activities, but hasn't done any in years and is open to giving something a try since this region seems to be known for outdoorsy things (as long as it doesn't take too much time away from the spa!). So - what should we do? Some options I've considered so far: Hike? Max Patch Craggy Gardens Chimney Rock Park Graveyard Fields Gorges State Park Swimming Hole? Hooker Halls South Toe River Sliding Rock (looks touristy) Whitewater Rafting? How is the rafting in this area? Is it known for rafting? Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) French Broad Rafting I think we would enjoy either whitewater rafting or a hike, especially if the hike requires a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to get there. We'd plan a picnic for after either one of these activities and hope to find a pretty spot to eat. If there's another activity that you'd recommend, please tell me. There are just too many choices and I'm confusing myself looking at all the options - distance, cost, photos, how popular, how strenuous, etc. Thanks for any advice! https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207563438860312468664.0004de46ed51c28664183&msa=0

  • Answer:

    It takes an hour or two of driving through the forest (which is real pretty), but go to the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linville_Gorge_Wilderness area and do some hiking, it's a really nice area and not too strenuous. Also make sure to check out the Linn Cove Viaduct (part of the parkway), which is an impressive/expensive piece of road that offers great views of Grandfather Mtn. to boot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pisgah_(North_Carolina) is also a good hike; the article mentions this, but the trailhead for Mt. Pisgah has another trail that is not mountainous, very pretty, and leads to the remains a hunting lodge owned by a Vanderbilt, so that's worth checking out, too. As for Sliding Rock—it's not really very touristy, I went there all the time as a kid. But it's not the most exciting thing, it's just a giant piece of rock you can slide down (which was great as a kid). Also that water is cold, even in the middle of summer. The best water-experience I had was on the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_River_(North_Carolina). Granted, that was in canoes rather than rafts, but I think it's transferrable. The Nantahala and French Broad aren't bad, either. Also seconding the Biltmore.

kdern at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Go to the Biltmore and walk around the garden and grounds. It's touristy as all hell, but the guy built something pretty amazing in a very beautiful place.

Cool Papa Bell

The Sandburg house.

brujita

Near Sliding rock you can see the http://www.cradleofforestry.com/site/, which has a number of outdoor exhibits as well as a picnic area; when I went to summer camp way back when the highlight of the session was always the 3-day backpacking trip in Pisgah with a stop by the Cradle of Forestry on the way up and Sliding Rock on the way back.

TedW

If you want a decently strenuous hike with good views, I can recommend John Rock in the Pisgah National Forest.

tau_ceti

My family did the Craggy Gardens hike last summer. Nice and cool, lots of shade, and a beautiful 360 degree view at the top!

Ochre,Hugh

Seconding the Biltmore; the landscaping was done by Frederick Law Olmsted, pretty much the father of landscape architecture. He had to take a break in the middle to do the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. He also co-designed a couple of parks in New York City that you've probably heard of. Also, good winery.

Sunburnt

Linville Gorge / Grandfather Mountain is actually a bit of a trek, especially if traffic gets backed up. I'd go with Mt Pisgah or Graveyard Fields, then down 276 to Brevard for a choice of waterfalls and rafting and a straightish run back to Asheville. Another option might be Hot Springs, which is a very different kind of spa from the Grove Park Inn. 40 minutes on the not-so-scenic route, an hour or so if you go back along the French Broad through Marshall. Rafting there at various points. It's a cliché of sorts to be meh about Six Flags Over Biltmore, but the GPI will provide all the Gilded Age decadence you need in one visit.

holgate

You'll be a 2-hour drive from the Tennessee border and Great Smoky Mountains Nat'l Park, and the Appalachian Trail is on the border-- there's a big parking lot with some nice views there in the mountains, and you can hike from there if you'd like. On the way in or out, you can get cheap cigarettes-- cheap for a tobacco state, even-- as there is the Cherokee Indian reservation on the NC side of the park. There's also Bat Cave, NC near there to the SE, so keep an eye out for Batman.

Sunburnt

Thirding the Biltmore Estate and gardens.

rmmcclay

Load more

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.