Blue Ridge Mtns in April?
 

We are thinking of an April vacation to the Blue Ridge Mtns. Would we fly into Asheville? and then rent a car and drive the parkway and fly out of costal NC. Any suggestions on an itinery?

Dear Phesant, you cannot drive on the parkway to the coast of NC. From Asheville it is almost 8 hours drive to the coast of NC. You can fly to Asheville (AVL) or sometimes it is less expensive to fly to Greenville (GSP), SC. It is less than one hour from Greenville to Asheville.

Why are you coming, how many of you, for how long? What part of April?

I should add that here, on this board, are many great posts and you can get some ideas. Use the text search feature on this board by typing Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains. Many helpful posters are going to comment on your itinerary but give us at least some ideas what you are interested in. Personally, I think the end of April would be a better time for outdoor activities. I suggest you start with staying in Asheville. Charleston, SC I think it is only four hours away from Asheville and maybe is worthy to include it in your itinerary. It all depends for how many days you are going

Looks like I really could use your help! :) There is just my husband and I (mid 40's) and we had hope some day to win Masters practice tickets but so far... We still want to see that part of the country and April is the easiest time for my spouse to take vacation. We are open to any suggestions as we did not want to spend our week in Mexico, Florida, Arizona or California. (We are hoping for a fall trip to wine country). We live in central MN so anywhere in the US that is green and warmer in April was the main plan.

Can you go in the end of April? Great time to visit Biltmore Estate during Flower Festival. Check www.biltmore.com
What are your interests? Hiking, biking, canoeing, walking, museums, shopping, restaurants, driving, scenary, waterfalls, photography?

The end of April just seem so far away after our end of the year snow storm. But sure, if we could fit in some outdoor activities that would be right up our alley. We love to walk, hike anything that keeps us outdoors. I know that means we give up museums and shopping but other than going inside to eat or sleep, we would rather be out seeing the countryside.
Most of our trips have been in the US to see family other than a cruise and a few days in Florida. Otherwise we have been to the Dominican and Mexico and two years ago went for two weeks with just what was in our backpacks to Italy. Most places we have enjoyed the most have been the least traveled or touristy.
My husband is a land surveyor and I have a degree in horticulture so the flower festival sounds good to me although he might tire before me. I had thought of New Mexico but since he had radiation after cancer surgery, he is more sensitive to lot of sun exposure.
So I have to rethink our plans sometimes.

Dear pheasant, my husband too deals with his cancer and radiation so I know about adjusting itinerary. My husband never goes anywhere without a hat and sunscreen. Do you think your husband would like to visit the Craddle of the Forestry in Pisgah Forest? Also Holmes Educational Forest is a great place for wilflowers starting mid-November. It is located in Hendersonville about 20-30 minutes from Asheville. I can find more detailed information in my file. Don't miss Arboretum in Asheville. On Tuesdays there is free admission. You can take hikes longer or shorter, then have a nice lunch. Don't miss Bonsai Exhibit in the Arboretum. Mid-April is just right time for wildflowers. If you would like I can suggest some short hikes with gorgeous views on Blue Ridge Parkway. Also if you go to Biltmore Estate for Flowers Festival you will have a chance to stop and rest in many places including winery for free wine tasting

Include below places in your itineray
DuPont Forest to see beautuiful waterfalls
www.dupontforest.com

Holmes Educational Forest for wildflowers along Talking Tree Trail
www.dfr.state.nc.us

Cradle of the Forestry
www.cradleoftheforestry.com

Pheasant - Hopefully this information will be helpful to you. Last May we flew from Minneapolis on NWA to Charlotte, NC for a two-week vacation.
We drove down to Charleston, SC (easy drive/approx. 3 hrs). Loved the area's history/food/coastal feel. We were told if we wanted to experience the beach in this time span, SC beaches were closer/easier to get to. If you choose to do this, spend the extra money to stay right in Old Charleston, as it's more convenient/walkable.
We drove back up to Charlotte, stayed for the Nascar races (if you're so inclined, there are numerous garage tours that can be taken any time of year). From Charlotte to Asheville, after leaving the city, was also an easy drive of about 1-1 1/2 hrs. We
enjoyed Biltmore Estates (go early/can spend all day there.) We also explored
local handcraft stores for Pottery, etc.
There's a lot of scenery/local historical sites/small towns in the area. We stayed at the Holiday Inn/Tunnel Rd. It was quiet,pleasant, had a small restaurant,friendly staff, and just a short 10 minute drive into
Asheville. One little heads-up - the locals probably think nothing of it,
but the morning we left for the Charlotte airport it was raining. As we
entered the valleys, the fog was VERY thick. As we proceeded along it cleared, but allow extra travel time in case this happens to you. We loved NC -
gorgeous wildflowers in the medians,genuinely friendly people,good food,lots to see & do. Can't wait to go back!!!

One nice thing about the Parkway or Skyline Drive during april is everything is busting and getting green yet the leaves are not fully out-

better unobstructed views

One needs to keep in mind that some parts of Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina can still be closed. So you need always extra time not only for fog, rain but for icy sections of the parkway and closures.

HotWheels, I like your suggestions of flying to Charlotte, then driving from there to Charleston, SC and finally to Asheville. There are many places to stay right in Downtown or near Biltmore Estate. or before heading to Asheville, Phesant can stay one night in Hendersonville in Holiday Inn Express. From there she can visit Carl Sandburg Home, continue to Holmes State Educational Forest, then Dupont State Forest. If time allows she and her husband can visit Cradle of the Forestry. Then drive on Blue Ridge parkway to Asheville. It all depends how many days she is going to have. We did similar trip, although we never got to visit Charleston. We took our first trip before my sister with her husband moved from Europe to Brevard.
Now will be there more often.

Thanks to Pat2003and HotWheels for the great ideas. As is always the case, life and work have kept me off the computer for a few days and yet, the Fodor posters have a present waiting in the form of great tips when I log on.

I know my sister-in-law has a friend in N.C. that she visited and e-mailed her today to ask where she lives and what she saw there. I think she is near the coast.

Also, there is a great fare sale into Raleigh/Durham from Mpls that I am considering and then renting a car from there. The only other closest destination was Charlotte. What would you suggest?

There is always the Great Smoky Mtn National Park. Check the www.nps.gov web site for information on both. Its a beautiful time of year in that part of the world..!!

Charlotte will be more convenient for a Asheville/Charleston combo. Asheville is 2 hrs from Charlotte (4+ from Raleigh) and Charleson is 3+ hours to Charlotte (4+ to Raleigh). All routes are easy interstates though.

If I could save a couple hundred on airfare (and not have to add any additional connections), I'd choose Raleigh over Charlotte.

Also consider car rental costs in your decision. I don't know the going rate in Charlotte, but I have been able to rent in Raleigh for close to nothing.

I wouldn't worry about weather if you want to come in early April. Compared to Minneapolis, it's going to be warm. Plus, if you decide to go to Charleston, the azaleas and dogwoods will still be in bloom in early April, but will be over by late April. As for Asheville, I ride my bike every weekend, it's almost never too cold or snowy to be enjoying Pisgah Nat'l Forest.

I live in G'ville SC, 45 min from Asheville and 3 hours form Charleston and I believe those to be the two best places to play in the southeast.

Have you considered pricing an open jaw ticket? Land in Charleston, drive to Asheville, fly home from there? If you stayed in the historic district during your time in charleston, you would not need a car, so you could save a couple of days on the rental.

ttt for NativeNewYorker

Phesant, don't miss the Arboretum for wildflowers, hiking trails, good lunch, bonsai exhibit
www.ncarboretum.org

Weather is a factor,especially early in April. It can be beautiful or it can snow. Elevation is all. April at my mother's house (1500 feet)means flowers and trees in bloom and leaf. At 4500 feet, no leaves and only early flowers like crocus and early daffodils. Walked up Peaks of Otter in VA on May 2 one year. Snowed on the way down. Late April is better.