Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By James Gibson

When planning a North Carolina getaway, Asheville is a must see on the travel-destination list. The allure of Western North Carolina’s largest city is becoming widespread and Asheville has been touted as the “Paris of the South.” The New York Times calls it a “surprisingly cosmopolitan city.” What makes Asheville unique is that the sizzle of the city is within a stone’s throw of great outdoor adventure. Natural Geographic Adventure Magazine ranks Asheville the number one out of ten cities for popular outdoor sports in the region.

Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham and Atlanta’s close proximity to Asheville make it a perfect vacation destination when planning either a luxury-style mountain getaway or a family vacation.

Asheville boasts a vast array of accommodations. There is everything from luxury condominium rentals with 24-hour concierge service to more traditional mountain getaways. So, whether you are planning a corporate trip, romantic getaway, golf vacation, or fishing expedition, Asheville has something for everyone. Some accommodations are even pet friendly. Try booking during the weekdays to beat the weekend crowds and receive more discounts.

Asheville, North Carolina: Experience the Best in Mountain Travel

Downtown Asheville is a pedestrian-friendly city. Its unique skyline of art-deco style buildings are surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city has a year-round population of 74,000 and is home to America’s largest privately-owned home, the Biltmore Estate, and the historic Grove Park Inn. While accommodations are available at both, most people visit these urban legends and choose to enjoy other Asheville hotels and luxury mountain getaways.

“The Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn are great places to visit,” Marge Nusser of New York, NY said, “but I prefer to seek out accommodations that are a bit more intimate, yet still upscale in their services.” Many accommodations offer discounted or complementary tickets to such attractions as the Biltmore Estate.

A fun way to kick start your mountain travel experience is to stroll through the Asheville Urban Trail. This 1.7 mile, self-guided tour stops at over 30 stations throughout the downtown area. “This trail gave me a handle on the downtown sites in less than one hour,” Howard Fortune, an Atlanta resident, explained. “I came here for the great outdoor activities, but quickly learned my way around the city.”

Downtown Asheville is primarily comprised of independent businesses. In today’s age of super-sized malls, the change is refreshing. Eclectic art galleries, micro-breweries and cozy cafes can be found at every turn. Asheville is also a food lover’s paradise and culinary offerings range from traditional southern comfort food to four-star cuisine. Bill Dykeman, a retired chef from Raleigh said, “Asheville has food from around the globe.”

Discover the Outdoors: Plan the Perfect North Carolina Mountain Getaway

When leaving downtown, choices still abound. The mountains that surround Asheville and the four major rivers that encompass the area make this an outdoor enthusiast’s dream mountain getaway. Take advantage of the travel concierge services at one of Asheville’s luxurious hotels. They can make dinner reservations, arrange for tee times, schedule outdoor events, and more.

In summer, whitewater rafting, hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail and fly fishing one of the hundreds of trout streams for native brook trout, rainbow or trophy brown trout are some of the more popular activities. Karl Danielson, a Charlotte native, avid golfer and fly fisherman explains that he can stay at a luxury condominium rental with concierge services that directs him to the some of the best trout streams east of the Mississippi. “And, the next morning I have a tee time at a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course within minutes from my room,” he added.

Nearby excursions include Chimney Rock State Park and Lake Lure to the south. To the west, there is Great Smoky National Park, and to the east, Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Rockies. Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain sit to the north and are filled with natural wonders that promise to enhance any romantic mountain getaway or family vacation plan.

Asheville is a year-round playground. The holiday season abounds with light festivals, Inn tours, dazzling sites at the Biltmore House, exceptional shopping and the famous Gingerbread House competition at the Grove Park Inn. Winter brings skiers and snowboarders to the area and spring is a wonderful time to explore the beautiful gardens at the North Carolina Arboretum. So, next time you are planning a weekend mountain getaway or an extended stay, think Asheville where their motto is “altitude affects attitude.”

James Gibson is the Managing Director of The Residences at Biltmore, a condo hotel in Asheville, North Carolina with concierge services designed to pamper and delight guests. Mr. Gibson has over twenty years experience in hospitality. He has been Hotel Manager at the Ritz Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa and Casino, and a General Manager of the Adam’s Mark Columbia in South Carolina. He has also worked in six Hyatt Hotel Corporation properties in a management capacity. Email concierge@residencesatbiltmore.com or visit http://www.residencesatbiltmore.com/hospitality for more information.

By Sam Huntington

Fayetteville, North Carolina is a charming city located in the Southern center of the state. The town’s nickname is “The All-American City” and this is evident upon one look at the downtown. Although the downtown area of the city has a quaint, small town feel to it, Fayetteville is one of the largest cities in North Carolina. The city is named for a French Revolutionary war hero, LaFayette, and many of the homes in the downtown area were built during that era.

Fayetteville is rich with history from both the Revolutionary War as well as the Civil War. During the Civil War, General Sherman moved his troops there. The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads, considered the last cavalry battle of the Civil War, took place not far from Fayetteville and today is an historical site.

Today the city maintains ties with the armed services as it is the home of Fort Bragg Army Post as well as the Pope Air Force Base.

There are many things to see and do when visiting. Hay Street in Downtown Fayetteville is rife with history. The cobblestone sidewalks reach to the Revolutionary War era buildings that line the street. There is some wonderful antique shopping in the Downtown that draws many visitors to this picturesque city each year.

Architecture throughout the city varies from the Revolutionary era buildings in the downtown area of the city to the pre Civil War homes that are located throughout the city. Anyone who enjoys historic architecture will find plenty to see in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

There are many other points of interest in Fayetteville. In addition to visiting Fort Bragg, many visitors embark on a hiking adventure on the Cape Fear River Trail. The city is located on the banks of the Cape Fear river, which was made famous in original and remake of the film, “Cape Fear.” The Cape Fear River trail takes you through the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens which are open to the pubic. Here you can wander beautiful nature trails that are filled with unusual plants as you progress through pine forest to the river banks. A narrow bridge stretches over the river that you can walk across and get some fabulous photos. A visit to the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens should be first on your list when visiting this charming city.

History buffs in particular will love Fayetteville, North Carolina as it is has many different museums and homes that are opened to the public. At the Museum of the Cape Fear you can see the natural history of the area through exhibits that feature artifacts relating to the Native American population, plantation and slavery, The Civil War and other natural history.

The 1897 Poe House is a Victorian residence that is open to the public and takes the visitor back in time to a bygone age. The Poe House has maintained the same furniture and other items that were used by the family during this period.

Arsenal Park is a four acre site that once produced the Fayetteville rifle that was used in the Civil War. Union forces destroyed this arsenal in 1865 towards the very end of the war. The North Carolina Museum of History contains thousands of artifacts and time line pieces that tell the history of North Carolina and also has special children’s sections.

There are hundreds of accommodations choices for visitors staying in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They range from luxury hotels to modest Bed and Breakfast establishments. No matter what your budget or needs, Fayetteville has the perfect accommodations to suit you during your trip to this beautiful city.

On top of everything else, you can also find some of the best restaurants in the Carolinas here. No matter what type of cuisine you prefer, Fayetteville has what you’re looking for. Because the city is relatively close to the Atlantic Ocean, you can expect to get delicious fresh seafood in most of the restaurants. The 316 Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill is located in the heart of the city and has delicious oysters and seafood served fresh daily.

Fayetteville, North Carolina is a charming place to visit. It has terrific food, wonderful accommodations, scenic parks and abundant history. One trip to this beautiful, North Carolina city and you will want to call Fayetteville “home.”

Sam Huntington lives in North Carolina and frequently writes about various North Carolina locales, particularly about all things Fayetteville NC. For more great Fayetteville information visit http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com