filbert264

I'm looking for any information on the relative merits of Weaverville, NC and/or the Brevard/Hendersonville NC areas for a 5 day vacation at the end of August.

My husband and I are meeting my mother in the Asheville area and we are planning to do some research on whether we might like to relocate there eventually. We plan to do some driving around, serious exploration of Asheville itself, and we would like to be able to swim in a river/lake everyday, if we feel like it.

We plan to rent a cabin and found one in Weaverville, NC, and one somewhere between Brevard and Hendersonville. We're trying to decide which area would suit us better. As we've never been to this area, I would truly appreciate any and all opinions. Thank you!

cmcfong

If you end up in Weaverville, have a meal at the Stoney Ridge restaurant. Very good, very casual.

cmcfong

Make that Stoney Knob restaurant and also check out Well Bred Bakery/Cafe in Weaverville.

leahinsc

I live in Weaverville ...I suppose you could swim in the French Broad - about 10 minutes from downtown Weaverville. But it has fast moving currents in some places that might be dangerous. Many people tube, canoe, and kayak on the river. There are swimming holes near creeks along the Blue Ridge Parkway which you can access about 20 minutes from Weaverville. Weaverville is a nice but very small town. One of the benefits is you are only about 10 minutes from downtown Asheville.
Brevard and Hendersonville are really not that close to each other. Hendersonville is about 30 minutes south of downtown ASheville and Brevard is about 45-55 minutes southwest of Asheville. It is probably at least 20 minutes between Hendersonville and Brevard - at least. Given those three options: Brevard, Hendersonville or Weaverville I think there is a bit more to do and yet closer to trails/rivers/lakes in the Brevard area. Brevard has a very quaint, walkable downtown. Hendersonville has done a good job catering to retirees but has a lot of problems with congestion and traffic trying to get around downtown. That being said I enjoy walking around downtown Hendersonville . Once you get there! The only lake that I know of that has a dedicated public swimming area would be Lake Lure which is east/south east of Asheville. You can go the back way from Hendersonville and be there in probably 30-45 minutes. I think most rivers that you would find here would be too shallow or too fast moving/rocky to swim in. The only other lake we could think of was Lake James which is near Morganton - about one hr east/north east of Asheville but my husband says it is very cold and doubts many people swim in it.

filbert264

Thanks for the great info! Leah, I really appreciate your indepth help with what each area has to offer.

We've decided to go with the Brevard area cabin- mostly so we can swim more and also we just found out that the other cabin doesn't have A/C (that helped with our decision .

But, hearing what you say about Weaverville has helped us know that we definitely want to check out that area in terms of possible relocation areas.

Thanks again everyone!

earlxx

filbert264, can you give me more info about your cabin. We are looking for something like that for September. Thanks

barnumbailey

If you have time, you must visit the Biltmore House!
http://www.biltmore.com/
Or perhaps The Grove Park Inn!
http://www.groveparkinn.com/
These are two of my favorite spots in Asheville! A bit pricey if you are on a budget, but well worth it!

leahinsc

you're welcome. I like Brevard and H-ville as well ...they are both a bit bigger than Weaverville - but of course further from Asheville. Hendersonville folks probably do the drive down the mtn to Greenville as much as going to Asheville as they are about 1/2 way between. Brevard seems to have a lively arts community probably due in part to having Brevard College in town. They are redoing an historic hotel right downtown which should be quite an attraction when finished. Be sure and check out HobNob restaurant in Brevard.

filbert264

Sorry I haven't checked back here recently...I didn't realize there were more responses!

Thanks again Leah, for the great info!

Earlxx, we did all our searching on www.vrbo.com. There's tons of cabins listed privately on there. The ones we narrowed down to for our own needs were:

http://www.vrbo.com/3520
http://www.vrbo.com/32472
http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame...turnurl=/65001

Good luck!

padams421

Why does someone think about relocating to a place they've never been? Not trying to be obnoxious, I'm just curious. I've seen posts from other people who are looking for advice on moving somewhere they've never been. I just don't get it.

leahinsc

They read about it...it's highly rated by several sources...they see pictures...friends or acquaintanc3es tell them about it...they are willingly to be a bit adventurous and take a chance. If no one was every willing to move somewhere they'd never been we wouldn't have the United States.

checkies

If you go to Asheville I really recommend eating at The Laughing Seed, located downtown. It's vegetarian, but even if you're a meat eater, I believe you'll really enjoy the food. It's one of my all time favorite restaurants.

Also, Hot Springs, NC is a funky little town just north of Weaverville (popular rest stop for through hikers on the Appelacian Trail). Not much there but the natural hot springs tubs which are fun for a dip.