Weespxx

hi all: We live in Virginia and want to spend a week with our friends from Chicago - we're looking at some sort of driveable mid-point such as either Ohio, KY or TN. What we're seeking is someplace rural but with a nice grocery store, a great house to stay in, and hiking and some cultural sites as well. If it helps, some of our favorite places are Asheville, NC; Portland, ME and Bozeman, MT - and their outskirts. We'll be going in August, by the way. We don't need too much in the way of entertainment - although small towns are always nice to visit - we spend lots of time together cooking and just hanging out. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

leahinsc

Here's one of my favorite spots in TN - Sugar Hollow Retreat in Butler. You are 30 min from Elizabethton which has your large supermarkets, a cute downtown with lots of antique shops and even an honest to goodness drive-in and about the same distance to Boone, NC which has shopping, restaurants and is a university town in the mtns. You are at an elevation of about 2000ft+ so it should be a little cooler. They rent out a couple of cottages or have B&B type rooms and will make a hearty Southern-style breakfast. Lake Watauga (2nd cleanest lake in US) is only about 15 min downhill - if that -and you can rent boats etc and fish or just spend a day on the lake. You are near waterfalls and all kinds of trails including the App Trail and there is plenty of area to hike on the 300+ acres of Sugar Hollow. Asheville is just under 2 hrs away.

SAnParis

Kelley's Island comes to mind.

SAnParis

Hocking Hills also. I can provide additional info on each if required.

Justmom

My favorite spot - the NC mountains and Murphy, NC, located in Cherokee County (the southwestern corner of NC), 2 hours from Asheville. Need any more info, feel free to ask!

Weespxx

Thanks to you all - some really great ideas. Our friends are leaning towards Mtns of NC - Asheville area. Thanks again for your responses.

leahinsc

I live in Asheville so am of course pretty biased. Here are some more of the "rural" areas that have good grocery stores and hiking...as far as cultural spots you'll probably have to go into Asheville...Cashiers(Pisgah Nat'l Forest, waterfalls, Highlands), Marshall(Hot Springs, App Trail), Burnsville, Spruce Pines, Brevard, Black Mountain, ....
You should be able to find cabin/cottage rentals in all of these areas. One place to start is www.exploreasheville.com and click on lodging.

band_nerd_08

I live in Ohio, and for band camp we go to this little college town called Rio Grande. It is near Gallipolis and mostly has 3 restraunts, a college, and a hotel. It is really quiet and the hotel is reasonable. depending on what you want in the hotel, it may work. I will advse you that this is NOT a 5 star hotel by any standards though.
I hope you have fun visiting