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

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Artisans Drive About This Weekend in the Stecoah Valley

June 27 - 28, 2014 Stecoah Valley Spring Artisans Drive About Visit the artisans' studios and galleries during the open house drive-about studio tour. Get up close and person with the artist and see numerous live demonstrations.

The hours will be 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM both days. The Schoolhouse Cafe at The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will also be open and is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville (Stecoah Valley) NC.

Get links for complete local visitor information on the Robbinsville NC Guide.

Friday, June 20, 2014

PlottFrst this Weekend in Maggie Valley NC

June 21 - 22, 2014 PlottFest This is the second annual festival and includes the best in mountain music, American Plott Association and National Plott Association sanctioned Bench Dog Shows, and the Smoky Mountain Trout Festival.

All profits from the Festival will Benefit Head Start of Haywood and Jackson Counties. One of the highlights of the event is a mountain music festival celebrating WNC's heritage. Some of the popular musicians performing include Balsam Range, the Darren Nicholson Band, Eddie Rose & Highway 40 and Mark and Amy Bumgarne.

Get links for complete local visitor information on the Maggie Valley NC Guide.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Mountain Spirits: FREE Beer Tasting in Asheville

June 20, 5 PM - 7 PM at Hops and Vines: FREE Green Man Ales tasting including their new seasonal Wayfarer Session IPA -

Green Man ESB - A malty amber ale boasting rich toasted and caramel flavors, Green Man ESB is an award-winning signature brew. A blend of authentic British malts and hops creates a nutty aroma, full body, and a sweet finish. Prepare yourself for a truly exceptional interpretation of a traditional English style.

Green Man IPA - Delectably hoppy with a properly balanced body. Generous hop additions give it a wonderful bitterness and pleasant floral nose, while the combination of traditional British malts creates a rich, satisfying flavor and alluring copper color. This authentic English-style IPA is Green Mans flagship ale.
Green Man Wayfarer - A crisp, refeshing session IPA, great for warmer weather drinking.

June 21, 3 PM - 6 PM FREE Sake Wine Tasting. Join Bill from Tryon Distributing to taste 4 unique takes on both American and Japanese sake.

Karatamba-

Ozeki Karatamba is the masterpiece of the Tamba Toji (brewmaster). Their unique brewing method and technique produce this superb, dry and crisp sake. Ozeki Karatamba has a full-bodied, rich taste that feels smooth on the palate. This is the perfect sake to indulge yourself!

Yamadanishiki-

Ozeki Yamadanishiki uses Yamadanishiki rice—the best sake making rice (saka mai). The Yamadanishiki rice has a larger kernel, so even at the high rice polishing rate the rice is left with enough starchy core essential to producing a natural full-bodied flavor. Ozeki Yamadanishiki tastes clean and refreshing with a dry aftertaste. It pairs very well with with dishes such as steak and Teriyaki chicken.

Hana Awaka-

Ozeki Hana Awaka (Sparkling Flower) is a refreshing, fizzy, low-alcohol sake. This light, pleasant bubbly sake is just perfect as brunch and after-work drinks. Ozeki Hana Awaka has a mild sweetness and acidity. Serve very well chilled.

Ozeki Dry-

Ozeki Dry is one of the three sake products that Ozeki first brewed in California in 1979. Ozeki Dry sake is a dry sake with a refreshing fruity flavor and tastes best when served chilled. This is an excellent choice for first time sake drinkers due to its lower alcohol content and smooth taste. It pairs well with chicken, light Asian dishes, sashimi, sushi, and it can be also poured over fresh or grilled oysters to add a flavor.

Get 10% off all wines featured during this tasting.

Hops and Vines is located at 797 Haywood Rd., Suite 100 in Asheville NC

Last Minute 4th of July Cabin Rentals: Modern Nantahala Cabin

Available for 4th of July week or weekend with minimum 2 nights and STANDARD RATES as of this posting. Check with owner for availability updates.

The Dogwood Breeze Cabin is located in 40 secluded acres and bordered by a trout stream in the Nantahala NC area. Easy access and only minutes to whitewater rafting. Stone gas log fireplace, outdoor grill, large porch with rockers, central heat and air, locally crafted furnishings, full kitchen, washer and dryer, flat screen satellite TV with DVD.

This cabin sleeps up to 6. FREE WIFI. $135 per night, $675 for a full week (two nights FREE). See photos, details and current availability

Get complete local visitor information on the Nantahala NC 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.