A FREE Daily Visitor Guide for the North Carolina Mountains and 50+ NC Mountain Cities

Saturday, May 4, 2013

NC Mountain Crafts Today in Old Fort

May 4 ArtsMart Locally created arts and crafts are displayed inside the historic Old Fort Depot. Stop by to chat with the creators of these one-of-a-kind items while you shop for yourself, family or friends. There is something for everyone including baskets, paintings, woodwork, wreaths, candles and live demonstrations. This event is sponsored by Arrowhead Artists and the Artisans League.

Learn more about NC crafts on the NC Galleries, Artists and Crafts Guide.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Rhododendron and Azalea Show this Weekend in Asheville

May 4-5 54th Annual Rhododendron and Azalea Show Presented by the American Rhododendron Society, SE Chapter, this yearly judged event features hundreds of blooms. Spring and summer blooming rhododendrons and azaleas some of the weekend favorites.

The North Carolina Arboretum is home to the National Native Azalea Collection, and visitors are encouraged to explore the collection, located along Bent Creek, representing nearly every species native to the United States.

Get a link for the Rhododrendon and Azalea Show and the NC Arboretum on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Mountain Spirits: Weekend NC Wine Festivals

Date: May 4
NC City: Mount Airy
Event: Budbreak Wine Festival This popular spring event celebrates the breaking of buds on vines across the state by bringing together 17 wineries for a street festival in charming downtown Mount Airy. Sample wines, listen to live music, view art and crafts by local artisans and enjoy the taste treats in the 13 Bones Food Tent.

Date: May 4-5
NC City: Ronda
Event: Vineyards of Swan Creek Spring Wine Release Join the Vineyards of Swan Creek and taste their spring releases along with a complimentary food sampling. Noon - 5 PM, $25 per ticket. The Vineyards of Swan Creek include Raffaldini Vineyards, Dobbins Creek Vineyard, Shadow Springs Vineyard, and Laural Gray Vineyard.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Annual Herb Festival this Weekend in Asheville

May 3-5 24rd Annual Asheville Herb Festival The WNC Chapter of the NC Herb Association represents the incredibly wide variety of herbalists and herb businesses in North Carolina: herb growers and vendors, natural gardening and landscaping specialists, and makers of herbal ointments, balms, soaps, teas, medicines, and other products.

Join more than 25,000 other herb lovers to celebrate the 24rd annual Asheville Herb Festival. Again this year environmentally sensible rain barrels will be available, and Master Gardeners, experts from the Buncombe County Extension Service, will be on hand during the festival to answer gardening questions.

Get a link for the Herb Festival and other Asheville events, attractions and lodging on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

The Blue Ridge Parkway at 469 miles long is the nation's longest scenic rural parkway. Now 70 years old it is administered by the National Park Service and host to approximately 20 million visits annually. It connects the Shenandoah Valley National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. Along the route are opportunities for lodging, dining, camping, hiking and simply enjoying breathtaking views from easily accessible overlooks and picnic areas. For additional information visit :The Blueridge Parkway Association

The River Arts District is open year around with the opportunity to meet artists in their studios. Schedules are available online. This unique area along the French Broad River is home to more than 165 artists with working studios located in 18 turn-of-the-century industrial buildings. The artists of the River Arts District welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the time-worn factories and warehouses along the French Broad River.

Chimney Rock Park is named for a 500 million-year-old giant granite monolith overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge. Visitors are awed by the breathtaking view that spreads 1200 vertical feet beneath them and 75 miles across the Carolinas. The now state owned park encompasses 1,000 acres offers the best of the mountains in one place with spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more. Chimney Rock NC

The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided funding for almost 1500 state and nationally designated byway projects in 48 states. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

Tsali Recreation Area is an outdoors lover's paradise. Probably the most popular features of Tsali Recreation Area are the 39 miles of trails suited for mountain bikers and horse-back riders, as well as hikers. The 4-loop system offers a variety of landscapes. You can climb 1-foot wide rugged paths or travel flat, well-beaten roads. The four trails--Right, Left, Mouse Branch, and Thompson Loops--meander through mixed pine and hardwoods on a peninsula stretching into Fontana Lake. Near Bryson City NC and Robbinsville NC.