WNC is full of things to do. Browse the links below for a couple ideas of area activities.

December/January Events

12/10 & 12/11 – Christmas Jam
For the past 20 years, Warren Haynes has coordinated his annual Christmas Jam. Like a family reunion, the annual, one-of-a-kind, semi-structured marathon of music brings together old friends on stage and in the audience at the Civic Center Arena in Asheville, N.C. for one of the countries greatest live events. The London Times has rated it “One of the top ten concerts in the USA.”

Now until 01/02 – National Gingerbread House Competition & Display
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa invites you to make it a true gingerbread day when visiting the 18th annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ this year. No holiday season would be complete without a trip to The Grove Park Inn to see the festive display. New for 2010, guests may now spend a full day of gingerbread fun with new on-site activities, topped off with a visit to Grove Park’s award-winning holiday brunch buffet at The Blue Ridge Dining Room.

 

Local Event Calendars

For a more comprehensive listing of happenings in Asheville and the surrounding area, please visit the sites below:

 

Year-Round Activities

Biltmore Estate
The largest privately owned home in the United States. This compound started out at 125,000 acres. The mansion was built 1889-1895; it is 135,000 square feet inside and has 250 rooms. This North Carolina gem is a National Historic Landmark.

Presently the Estate covers 8000 acres that is split in half by the French Broad River. You can enjoy the over 75 acres of formal gardens that have wonderful hike and biking trails or visit the mansion to see the grandiose history of the time.

Pisgah National Forest
Established in 1916 the Pisgah Forest is completely contained in North Carolina and is 1 of the 4 National forests in North Carolina. The other 3 are Nantahala which has over a half a million acres, Croaton the coastal NF that has 159,000 acres, and the Uwharrie that has 50,000 acres.

The Pisgah covers 512,670 acres and is in 12 different counties, some of the forest includes the Southern Appalachian Mountains parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Balsm Mountain.

 

Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is over 74 years old with the proud distinction of being 469 miles of beautiful flora and fauna. Created in 1935 as a product of the Great Depression the Parkway connects the Great Smokey National Park to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. There are numerous camp grounds and trails that beckon the driver to stop and enjoy the views.

River Arts District
Recently written up in the New York Times this is the place to check out if you’re coming to town. It is a community of over 120 artists that are located in warehouses (15 plus buildings) along the French Broad River.

LaZoom
It’s what the locals are doing. LaZoom is one of the most unique “Things to do in Asheville,” our 90 minute side-splitting odyssey to the city’s favorite neighborhoods and landmarks spells quirky fun for both first-time visitors and long-time residents. Definitely not your mamma’s typical tour bus experience, LaZoom is Asheville’s only rolling comedy tour bus and Asheville’s funnest attraction!