Western NC Getaway - Recommendations?
Aug 5th, 2007, 10:58 AM
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Western NC Getaway - Recommendations?
My better half and I are looking to escape the beach for some green, peace & quiet, and just a change of scenery.
It's been a while since we've really explored the NC mountains, but we want to try something a little different. We've been to Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock, Hendersonville, Cashiers/Highlands several times already.
We're looking at Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro. We have an artist friend who recently moved to Waynesville, and she raves about the place. We do like very small towns as well or better than huge metro areas usually.
We're really looking to just hunker down in a nice B&B or condo, catch up on some reading, maybe a little light hiking, not travel a lot, but would like to have some decent restaurants(creative, good, not fancy) and perhaps a few unique shops or galleries nearby.
What do you think?
It's been a while since we've really explored the NC mountains, but we want to try something a little different. We've been to Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock, Hendersonville, Cashiers/Highlands several times already.
We're looking at Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro. We have an artist friend who recently moved to Waynesville, and she raves about the place. We do like very small towns as well or better than huge metro areas usually.
We're really looking to just hunker down in a nice B&B or condo, catch up on some reading, maybe a little light hiking, not travel a lot, but would like to have some decent restaurants(creative, good, not fancy) and perhaps a few unique shops or galleries nearby.
What do you think?
Aug 5th, 2007, 11:24 AM
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Waynesville is a very cool little town - nice restaurants downtown, both casual and upscale, little shops including a good bookstore, some really nice art galleries. We went in April for three days and would like to go back. I can highly recommend the Inn at Iris Meadows B&B - Becky and George are very nice, the house is fabulous and it has both a wonderful wraparound porch and two nice parlors downstairs for reading and relaxing. Definitely worth a try in my book!
Aug 5th, 2007, 12:47 PM
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Retired Teacher gave me a couple of suggestions which might work for you, Chuck.
Author: Retired_teacher
Date: 08/03/2007, 04:41 pm
I fear that my favorite lodge is probably going to be way too low key for you folks, but you may want to put it on your someday list for when you're older. Located near Robbinsville NC, Snowbird Mountain Lodge http://www.snowbirdlodge.com is 2 hours drive time from the Knoxville airport via Highway 129 which is a driving adventure itself once you enter NC. On the 'Tail of the Dragon' you will encounter motorcycle daredevils on hairpin turns which will make this section of the road memorable. The Lodge itself is located about 3 miles from the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest for moderate hikes and the Appalachian Trail also passes nearby. Room rates are within your price range and include a full breakfast, a sack lunch, and a choice of gourmet dinner options. The lodge room's beds are comfortable and include private baths, the main lodge is charming, and the grounds are inviting.
For another option, you may want to check out The Blue Boar Inn which is also located near Robbinsville, although I can't recommend it personally. http://www.blueboarinn.com/
Of course if you would like to touch base with your old friends in WS, you could stay at the Pilot Knob b and b at the base of Pilot Mountain. Right off 52 so you can get to the wineries and restaurants fairly easily, but still quite removed and very charming.
Author: Retired_teacher
Date: 08/03/2007, 04:41 pm
I fear that my favorite lodge is probably going to be way too low key for you folks, but you may want to put it on your someday list for when you're older. Located near Robbinsville NC, Snowbird Mountain Lodge http://www.snowbirdlodge.com is 2 hours drive time from the Knoxville airport via Highway 129 which is a driving adventure itself once you enter NC. On the 'Tail of the Dragon' you will encounter motorcycle daredevils on hairpin turns which will make this section of the road memorable. The Lodge itself is located about 3 miles from the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest for moderate hikes and the Appalachian Trail also passes nearby. Room rates are within your price range and include a full breakfast, a sack lunch, and a choice of gourmet dinner options. The lodge room's beds are comfortable and include private baths, the main lodge is charming, and the grounds are inviting.
For another option, you may want to check out The Blue Boar Inn which is also located near Robbinsville, although I can't recommend it personally. http://www.blueboarinn.com/
Of course if you would like to touch base with your old friends in WS, you could stay at the Pilot Knob b and b at the base of Pilot Mountain. Right off 52 so you can get to the wineries and restaurants fairly easily, but still quite removed and very charming.
Aug 5th, 2007, 01:23 PM
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Agree you would like Waynesville. We stayed at Prospect Hill Inn and enjoyed it very much. Just hanging out on the front porch was relaxing.
http://prospecthillnc.com/
http://prospecthillnc.com/
Aug 6th, 2007, 09:36 AM
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Thanks very much for the great information everyone. I am really thinking that Waynesville might be our place.
cmcfong, you tempt me with mention of the Dragon. There's a large Miata gathering every July I think to test that road. However, my better half probably wouldn't be too enthused about me whipping through all those wonderful S turns just a little bit on the fast side. So I had better keep that temptation away.
cmcfong, you tempt me with mention of the Dragon. There's a large Miata gathering every July I think to test that road. However, my better half probably wouldn't be too enthused about me whipping through all those wonderful S turns just a little bit on the fast side. So I had better keep that temptation away.
Aug 8th, 2007, 06:05 AM
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West Jefferson (in Ashe County) is a beautiful place to explore. You're also just a "hop, skip and a jump" away from Grayson Highlands State Park in southern Virginia, which is beautiful and home to roaming herds of wild ponies. You can enter and exit the Blue Ridge Parkway several times in Ashe County. There are lots of neat little shops and places to eat.
Black Mountain is also a nice little town to visit.
It sounds like you would enjoy visiting with your friend Waynesville on this trip......but maybe in the future, if you want a really unique, very small town to visit.....you might like to see Tryon, in Polk County. It is known as "The Friendliest Little Town in the South" and the entire county is absolutely beautiful to ride around in and just enjoy the wide variety of scenery.
And....they've got lots of those great "twisting" roads.....
Black Mountain is also a nice little town to visit.
It sounds like you would enjoy visiting with your friend Waynesville on this trip......but maybe in the future, if you want a really unique, very small town to visit.....you might like to see Tryon, in Polk County. It is known as "The Friendliest Little Town in the South" and the entire county is absolutely beautiful to ride around in and just enjoy the wide variety of scenery.
And....they've got lots of those great "twisting" roads.....
