I am looking for an upscale place to spend the night (something unique if possible) and an interesting place to eat. I have read about the Peddler but I don't know what town it is in. We will be traveling though the Smokies, Gatlinberg etc. and heading towards Ashville. Not from that area, but have read about Blowing Rock on message board. Would that be a good place to spend night? Would like to stay away from real touristy type places and lean towards scenic and unusual. Thanks for your help.

Maggie, I have been to Blowing Rock once...it is a lovely little craft (upscale) community with a very laid-back feel. As I recall, there was a very nice inn there, but I do not recall the name. I also think there were several bed & breakfasts. As far as restaurants in Blowing Rock, I do not know...but, the Peddler in Gatlinburg is very nice, but not very "upscale". However, the food is first rate! Gatlinburg is very touristy, and in my opinion, Blowing Rock is more appropriate for what you described. Some of the most unusual handmade crafts that I have ever seen.

the distance between Gatlinburg and Asheville is about 3 hours and Blowing Rock is not on the way. Blowing Rock is an upscale community of homes for summer dwellers/renters. What is it you really want?
You could stay at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville if that is what you want. Or the Richmond Hill Inn in Asheville--very nice with at least a 3* restaurant, maybe 4. Where are you going after Asheville? Maybe Blowing Rock or Grandfather Mountain could be on that itinerary.

The Peddler is a chain steak house, one of those where they come to the table and show you your meat. It's not terrible, but certainly nothing to travel for. There is one in Hendersonville, NC and Gatlinburg.

I understand the Blackberry Inn has nice food in the smokies, though I've never been there. If you want to stay away from touristy places you definately want to avoid Gatlinburg.

Asheville is full of good restaurants.

I highly recommend Windsong: A Mountain Inn in Clyde, NC about 40 minutes outside Asheville. (See windsongbb.com) It's out in the country. The breakfasts are outstanding, the hosts are bright and welcoming. The view is fabulous, too. You're partway up a mountain and look down on pastures with sheep, goats, cows and the Smoky Mountains are in the distance. If enough guests are interested they have evening dinner treks with llamas. (There were 4 in our group and we dined creekside.) Spacious rooms are themed (Alaska, Country, Safari) and there's a hot tub, swimming pool, relaxing gardens and a tennis court.

I was going to take the trip from Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountains actually) to Asheville to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the foliage on the N.C. Side. Which is the best, easiest traveled highway and are the gas stations while on the BRParkway, in case we run out of gas? Are there also places to stay in the area? I'm not clear on when the leaves will change this October, so I'm not positive which side we'll be leaf peeping on. Thank you very much in advance.

William: There is at least one gas station on the parkway near Asheville. It's at the Pisgah Inn, which is by no means luxurious, but has an unbelievable view from every room and two rocking chairs on a balcony to enjoy it from.

Leaf peak is usually 2nd or 3rd week in Oct. I-40 is a fast but sometimes dangerous ( rock slides, fog, heavy traffic) drive from Gat area to Asheville. The parkway is beautiful but has a 45 mph speed limit and most of your fellow travelers are doing it.

Hve you looked at "The Swag" in aWaynesville, NC? It looked fabulous (very upscale lodge, like some of the old Adirondack resorts), but was out of our budget range. But, I suspect that unless you're talking about midweek and or off season, a one night stay will be very difficult in resort areas, more so with the higher end places

You're off to a logical start going between those two garden spots.