800-411-3812 for reservations
http://www.biltmore.com/visit/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/horseback-riding
See CATEGORIES on right of this page for more Outdoor Adventures
Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC is so much more than the awesome 250 room mansion! There are many outdoor activities to pursue! Try a guided horseback trail ride to experience this world famous estate with 80 miles of trails through woodlands & meadows. Choose from a one-hour ride, a private lunch ride or a private 2 hour trail ride at varying prices. Beginners & experienced riders are welcomed. Minimum age is 8 years. You can make arrangement to bring your own horse. 800-411-3812 for reservations http://www.biltmore.com/visit/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/horseback-riding See CATEGORIES on right of this page for more Outdoor Adventures Botanical Gardens of Asheville NC is a “must visit” for lush gardens & walking trails. Learn about the native wildflowers, trees & plants that are Southern Appalachian natives. Kids love the 5 educational & fun “Investigation Passports” which focus on animals, birds, insects, nature words and plants. Beautiful venue for weddings. (photo: RomanticAsheville) FREE Admission. Donations are appreciated for this non-profit organization. Special Event April 29 & 30, 2016: Annual Spring Sale offering plants from dozens of local nurseries & garden clubs. April through October hours: 10am - 4pm & Sundays 12pm - 4pm 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville, NC (828) 252-5190 www.AshevilleBotanicalGardens.org See CATEGORIES on right of this page for more KIDS! & Outdoor Adventures DuPont State Forest for Hiking, Biking & Horseback Riding. Famous for its many spectacular waterfalls, it’s also one of North Carolina’s best mountain biking & horseback riding areas with 86 miles of trails on a protected 10,000 acre paradise to explore. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Asheville North Carolina between Brevard and Hendersonville. Dogs welcome & must be leashed. (Romantic Asheville photo.) Open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM FREE admission http://www.dupontforest.com/ http://ncforestservice.gov/contacts/dsf.htm See CATEGORIES on right of the page for more Outdoor Adventures Jump Off Rock in Hendersonville NC offers fabulous vistas of the Blue Ridge & Pisgah mountain ranges & 3 hiking trails: easy to difficult. An ancient legend tells of a young Cherokee maiden who jumped off the rock when she learned her mate had died. It’s said that on moonlight nights you can see her ghost.
Located 5 miles from downtown Hendersonville at the end of Laurel Park Hwy in the town of Laurel Park. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. FREE. Photo by James Richardson Photography http://www.historichendersonville.org/jump_off_rock.htm See CATEGORIES on right of the page for more Outdoor Adventures SMAC: Smokey Mountain Adventure Center, Asheville NC is the premier location for adventures with indoor climbing, yoga, Tai Chi courses. Outdoors there are guided tours, boat and tube rentals, stand-up boards, and bike rentals. And when you’ve finished your day of fun, relax at The Asheville Hangout (upstairs at SMAC) for a local brew, coffee or tea! 173 Amboy, Asheville NC 828-505-4446 Open 7 days. Visit their website for all the possibilities & hours: http://smacasheville.com/ See CATEGORIES on right of this page for more Outdoor Adventures Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education Learn about local wildlife & their habitats & fishing. Hatchery-supported trout waters opened on April 2. Just up the road is the trout hatchery. April – November: Open Monday - Sat. 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Closed on Sunday. FREE Admission. Address: 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768. Located between Asheville/Hendersonville and Brevard, NC just off of HWY 276. Check their website for directions, events & workshops. 828-877-4423 www.ncwildlife.org/Pisgah See CATEGORIES on right of this page for more Outdoor Adventures Go Fly A Kite! at the Foresthills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) in Tryon, NC. irst 200 children will receive a kite to fly up on Hawk’s Ridge. Drinks & snacks provided. Visit the face painting table. Free for the whole family! Being held today, April 2, 2016: 1 pm – 4 pm. 828-859-9021 FENCE offers 384 acres of hardwood forest, meadow, and wetland for hikers, birdwatchers, gardeners, astronomers - anyone who enjoys connecting with nature and learning how to preserve our precious natural resources. The entire property is protected by a conservation easement, so it will always be available for future generations. FENCE is proud to offer TROT, Therapeutic Riding of Tryon, a program that provides equine assisted activities to adults and children with physical, developmental and cognitive disabilities in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC 28782 828-859-9021 www.fence.org See CATEGORIES on right of page for more KIDS! and Outdoor Adventures BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: Wow! There are 469 miles of roadway to explore with view pull-outs and hiking trails throughout with awesome vistas! We’re lucky in Asheville & Hendersonville NC that it runs right through town with easy access! Take a half hour drive “South” to Mount Pisgah or “North” to Mount Mitchell (highest point east of the Mississippi). No commercial roadway signs to interfere with the spectacular beauty of these Blue Ridge Mountains! And since it is a part of the U.S. National Park Service, it’s all FREE!
Photo courtesy of Romantic Asheville See CATEGORIES on Right of the page for more Outdoor Adventures Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest (near Brevard NC just off Hwy 267) is one of the easiest waterfalls to access as it sits right off the road on Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. This 60 foot tall beauty is a “must-see!” You can take a short walk for a close-up view and to get your feet wet…or just view from your car. The falls are about 5 miles from the entrance to Pisgah National Forest. Thanks to Romantic Asheville for their photo! http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5188439 See CATEGORIES on right of page for more Outdoor Adventures Dupont State Recreational Forest’s 150-foot HIGH FALLS is a spectacular waterfall that is easy to visit just a half mile walk from the High Falls Visitor Center’s parking lot. In Brevard (nick-named “The Land of Waterfalls), it’s a short trip from Hendersonville or Asheville to see some spectacular waterfalls. There are 86 miles of trails for hikers, bikes and horses in 10,400 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Photo courtesy of RomanticAsheville.
http://ncforestservice.gov/contacts/dsf.htm See CATEGORIES on right of the page for more OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Snow Scene at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The guests at my Asheville Vacation Homes (rental cabins, cottages, lodges) had an added bonus to their trips with our weekend snow on January 23 which blanketed this beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain area in gorgeous white, shimmery snow! I was able to get to the Biltmore Estate to take some photos of their magnificent property. The Biltmore staff was out early and had cleared the way to the Biltmore House. It was spectacular!
Our guests may purchase discounted Two-Day Passes to the Biltmore Estate. See CATEGORIES on right of this page for more Places to Explore *PATTON PARK* FOR SWIMMING, SPORTS, WALKING & AWESOME $360,000 SKATE PARK PLAZA! Open year-round in the heart of historic Hendersonville, North Carolina, this park offers 19 acres of recreational activities including an OLYMPIC-SIZE SWIMMING POOL with a kids pool (open from Memorial Day through Labor Day), tennis courts, basketball courts, racquetball courts, baseball fields, picnic areas, restrooms, kids’ playground and nature trails. There is a 20,000 SF SKATE PARK PLAZA styled to look like a downtown plaza with landscaping, trees, planter boxes, but with curbs, stairs and rails made for skateboarding and in-line skating. Patton Park is a public park with no membership required. Pool fees are reasonable. It is located a mile north of downtown Hendersonville off Asheville Highway (Hwy 25). Turn onto Clairmont Drive at the light signal. Park Information at 828-697-3084 For more on Hendersonville City Parks: http://www.cityofhendersonville.org/index.aspx?page=259 See CATEGORIES on right for more Kid Activities and Outdoor Adventures Adventure Center of Asheville! Intriguing outdoor activities for ages 4 to adults. (Yep! There is a special zipline for kids as young as 4!) Located in a beautiful tree preserve 5 minutes from downtown Asheville. Play in the trees with a huge variety of creative climbing, swinging, zipping and rappelling. Don’t forget obstacle courses and mountain biking on special trails. You can enjoy 5 different awesome adventures each designed for varying skill levels:
(See CATEGORIES on right for more outdoor adventures and things for kids) CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains – Hiking, Waterfalls & Panoramic Views await you! A “must see” when you visit Western North Carolina! For astonishing 75 mile views, a 404 foot waterfall and outstanding hiking trails, be sure to visit North Carolina’s 4000 acre CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK in Lake Lure, just 25 miles from Asheville and 18 miles from Hendersonville NC.
Chimney Rock Park has been the setting for such movies as “Firestarter,” “A Breed Apart” and “The Last of the Mohicans” with Daniel Day-Lewis - the famous fight scene at the end of the movie was filmed at the falls. “Dirty Dancing” was filmed just down the road at Lake Lure. Check their website for park hours and ticket prices: http://www.chimneyrockpark.com See CATEGORIES on right for more Outdoor Adventures!) Great year round horseback riding for all ages with breath-taking scenery is just a few minutes north of Asheville. The SANDY BOTTOM TRAIL RIDES is on a secluded family ranch with picturesque trails winding through mountain meadows and woodlands of Madison County. All rides will have a friendly knowledgeable guide. Chose from one, two, three or four hour rides….one even stops at a 200 year old garnet gem mind…and yes, you get to keep the gems you find! My vacation rental guests put this high on their list of favorite places they’ve visited! Kids are welcome!
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides 1459 Caney Fork Road, Marshall, NC 28753 800-959-3513 or 828-649-3464 www.sandybottomtrails.net See CATEGORIES on right for more Outdoor Adventures & Things to do with KIDS! The BROADMOOR GOLF LINKS golf course is situated in the picturesque French Broad Valley River Basin of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville. It is a certified Audubon Society golf course with an 18-hole Par 72 golf course known for its bent grass greens, practice facility and clubhouse. Designed by Karl Litten in 1993, the course is flat with no houses and no out of bounds and is strikingly beautiful with the many ponds, streams, views and abundant wildlife. ADDRESS: 101 French Broad Lane, Fletcher NC 28732 DIRECTIONS: Just off Interstate 26 Exit 40 near the Asheville Airport and the WNC Agricultural center. PHONE: 828-687-1500 or toll free: 1-866-578-5847 http://www.broadmoorlinks.com Experience the Spas at Hot Springs, NC
Take a ride just 40 miles north of Asheville NC to beautiful Hot Springs NC where you can soak in naturally hot geothermal-heated mineral waters in the clean mountain air. Signs of Native American presence date back nearly 5,000 years. Many have believed the springs have healing powers and it has been a destination resort for spiritual retreat and healing since the 1700’s. Today you can enjoy outdoor modern Jacuzzi style hot tubs situated along the banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River. Open year round. Located near the Appalachian Trail, you may see “through-hikers” in town as this is the first stop in civilization from the beginning of the trail in Georgia. It’s fun to ask their trail name and listen to their adventures. http://hotspringsnc.org/play/relaxation/hot-mineral-springs/ What to do on a warm Christmas Day? How about a nice short hike to see all the waterfalls at Dupont State Forest? Located just outside Asheville between Hendersonville and Brevard, this 10,000 acre forest has over 80 miles of gorgeous trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Visit Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and the famous Bridal Veil Balls featured in the Last of the Mohicans where they walk behind the falls.
Admission is free. http://www.dupontforest.com/ Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park located in Hendersonville, NC.
For local snow entertainment opening on December 18th, you’ve got to experience the Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park in Hendersonville NC is the best and steepest snow tubing in Western North Carolina with 500 feet of fun! First opened in 2002, this is the only snow tubing park in the southeast that allows tubing “trains” where you hold hands and ankles to go down the slope as a group. They make their own snow! Address: 5865 Willow Road, Hendersonville, N.C. 28739 Phone: (828) 696-0333; Toll Free: (800) 849-7553 Website: www.MoonshineMountain.com |
AuthorStephanie Joy Johnson, owner and hostess for Asheville Vacation Homes! I love sharing what I know about this amazing place in the Blue Ridge Mountains where I live! CATEGORIES
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