About Western North Carolina
Asheville | Hendersonville | Brevard | Lake Toxaway | Cashiers | Highlands | Waynesville | Weaverville
Asheville
Asheville is a vibrant, eclectic city in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains. Downtown Asheville is full of shops, galleries, restaurants and music venues. Just south of downtown is the popular Biltmore Estate where you will find the largest privately owned home in the U.S. open to the public for tours. Also nearby is the North Carolina Arboretum and Bent Creek Experimental Forest surrounded by Pisgah National Forest.
Hendersonville
Hendersonville is located 22 miles south of Downtown Asheville and is the 2nd largest downtown in Western North Carolina. Chartered in 1897, historic architecture abounds along Hendersonville's charming Main Street sporting many restaurants, antique shops and boutiques. Just outside of Hendersonville is the Village of Flat Rock. Here, the Carl Sandberg National Monument features the historical author's home and farm. Also in Henderson County is DuPont State Recreational Forest and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.
Brevard
Brevard is conveniently located at a crossroads of forests where where you can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, fishing and horseback riding and more. Brevard is bordered by Pisgah National Forest and not far from Dupont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park. Brevard is also a vibrant hub for arts and music. Known as "The Land of Waterfalls," it boasts more than 250 waterfalls in the area. Brevard is also known for white squirrels. These special little creatures have flourished in Brevard since escaping a Florida carnival in the 1950s.
Lake Toxaway
Lake Toxaway, the largest private man-made lake in North Carolina, was created 1902 to help draw visitors to the area. Since then, Lake Toxaway has developed into a fabulous community with vacation and year-round homes, a place where people can escape the pressures of everyday life. Fishing, boating, skiing, and sailing are popular activities, as well as hiking in the nearby wilderness areas that total more than 10,000 acres.
Cashiers
The Village of Cashiers is a few miles west of Brevard. Near the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the easternmost front of the Appalachian Mountains, Cashiers is surrounded by scenic views, waterfalls and the Nantahala National Forest. Small shops and a farmers market offer unique mountain treasures. The 13 acre Village Green is a park with pathways, picnic areas and regional history. The U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy have worked to protect several natural areas near Cashiers, including Panthertown Valley, Whitewater Falls, and the Tuckaseegee River Gorge.
Highlands
The name Highlands is appropriate for this quaint town, since it sits on a plateau at an elevation of 4,118 feet. Southern Living Magazine chose Highlands as a top 5 Small Town Getaway. Highlands Botanical Gardens is across from the Highlands Nature Center providing a retreat from the bustling downtown. Lake Sequoyah is Highlands’ largest body of water. Take in the sights of the lake while savoring a delicious meal at On the Verandah restaurant. Nearby Bridal Veil Falls is a gorgeous waterfall that you can drive right under.
Waynesville
Located about 30 miles southwest of Asheville, downtown Waynesville has a number of fine art galleries and specialty shops. Outdoor adventures are limitless, since Waynesville is located at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains and near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Waynesville offers a vibrant farm-to-table restaurant and craft beer scene. Nestled between Main Street and the Richardson River in Waynesville is the Historic Frog Level neighborhood with Frog Level Brewing Company. The Boojum Brewery is also nearby.
Weaverville
Resting on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range just nine miles north of Asheville is the charming town of Weaverville, This is a family friendly and dog friendly town. Weaverville is also very walkable. Residents and visitors can enjoy short walks around the 5 acre Lake Louise, or along the walking paths of the Main Street Nature Park, where volunteers have created colorful flower beds using native plants. The Wagbar is an interactive 25,000 square foot off-leash dog park with a bar where humans can also socialize.