Hello again,

My husband and I are planning a long weekend trip to Highlands, NC. I'd previously posted on that subject and got some great feedback. In doing more research I stumbled on the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville. We are now planning on doing both Highlands and Asheville. I booked two nights at Haywood Park which I believe is close to downtown Asheville. From reading past posts it seemed like that might be a nice place to stay. If there are any suggestions on better places please let me know as this reservation can be cancelled.

My next dilema is that I am clueless as to what Asheville has to offer and I'm hoping that all of the great Fodorites out there can get me up to speed. A friend mentioned the Biltmore Mansion. Where else would you go? How about dining? We like good food. Nothing too outrageously priced (over $25 a plate). I love shopping especially for unique items. Crafts, antiques, upscale stores, etc. Any scenic drives?

I really look forward to hearing everyone suggestions.

Thanks - Pam

Haywood Park Hotel IS downtown. Please start out by doing a search on Asheville on this site - there is tons of stuff. For restaurants check chowhound.com for additional information tripadvisor.com. It's helpful if you narrow it down a bit then we can help out. Wanderer just posted a very nice trip report which may be helpful to you.

I love the Haywood Park. The location is wonderful, you can walk across the street to the Highland Crafts Fair. Please be sure and check the shop at Grovewood (next door to but unaffiliated with the Grove Park Inn). In fact have lunch at the Grovewood restaurant while you are there, it is quite nice. The restaurant in the Haywood Park, The Flying Frog, is a favorite of mine. In Weaverville, just a short ride from downtown is the Stoney Knob restaurant. Excellent food very reasonably priced. I love Bellagio gallery and Blue Spiral in Biltmore Village. Stop there for a nice break and you will find a nice choice of restaurants. The Biltmore House is quite spectacular and can take a full day.
Asheville is a beautiful part of our state and certainly one of the most visitor friendly. Enjoy your holiday.

The whole area is a scenic drive (well, except Tunnel Road). Just get an area map and start exploring. For a quick scenic trip from Asheville I'd go to Lake Lure or drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Mount Mitchell.

The Asheville downtown is a GREAT place. There are lots of great craft places, interesting shops, and wonderful restaurants. The Haywood Park Hotel is right in the midst of it all.

For crafts, see the Woolworth Walk (in the old Woolworth building) and Kress Gallery (in the old Kress Building) and the Grove Arcade in a fantastic Art Deco building.


http://www.woolworthwalk.com/
http://www.kressgallery.com/
http://www.grovearcade.com/

Lots of great restaurants right downtown: Flying Frog (in the Haywood Hotel), Tupelo Honey (12 College St), Bistro 1896 at Pack Sq.
For a great dessert, try Old Europe at 18 Battery Park Ave.

The Biltmore House is the biggest private house in America. Well worth seeing, but will really take a whole day. It will be decorated for Christmas as of November 4th. (Good restaurants there also.)

http://www.biltmore.com/

The Biltmore House is indeed well worth a visit. While there, we ate at the restaurant in what used to be a stable. It is like no stable I've ever seen!

We also sought out Thomas Wolfe's mother's boarding house (where Tom grew up and which he described in his novel "Look Homeward, Angel"), and the adjoining museum. We also went to pay homage at Wolfe's grave. Wolfe was one of my favorite novelists when I was in college (50's-60's), but now that other Tom Wolfe (interloper!) has become better known.

We also wanted a scenic drive. We drove down to Cherokee on local roads, further southwest in the state, spent a couple of hours there, and drove back to Asheville on the Blueridge Parkway where it begins (just north of Cherokee). The Parkway was beautiful there, and not heavily traveled. After we left Asheville, we continued north on the Parkway and were a bit disappointed to find that it became both busier and less beautiful the further north we drove.

We enjoyed the Biltmore House and driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There are a number of great restaurants and fine stores in the downtown Asheville area. We ate at a Jamaican restaurant last time and it was quite good.

Nearby is the small town of Black Mountain. They have antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Very quaint. I enjoyed it better than the Biltmore Village. They have a Sourwood Festival filled with crafters but that is in August--not sure when your trip is.

Other excursions further out we did were gold and ruby mining down in the Cherokee area, and hiked at Chimney Rock. Fun, if you like that sort of stuff and have the extra time.

Great information! We are leaving the 16th for 4 days. Any last minute advice?

Check the weather daily as you prepare and pack -- it was chilly for a while but the past few days have been warm. Dressing is always an adventure this time of year. >wink<

Driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville, you will see breathtaking views of the mountains. There are tons of scenic overlooks where you can stop and linger. Take a camera.

When you head north back to Asheville, you will find yourself mainly driving through forests for a while as you go around the Asheville area. Although the scenic views seem to vanish for a while, if you continue driving north the Parkway becomes extremely beautiful once again. The mountains become more rugged looking than the southern stretch, and you'll be treated to awesome views once again.

Both directions are well worth seeing. Stop and explore Graveyard Fields to the south of Asheville on the Parkway. Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell are to the north and definitely should be seen.