In the late 1800s, a simple, powerful slogan lured newcomers to the sublime beauty of Buncombe County. More than a century later, the Asheville skyline still beckons.
blue ridge mountains
A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala
Celebrate the season in this mountain town — no matter what time of year you visit.
Old Made New in Polk County
Stay in a historic home turned modern mountain inn, dig into a cheese board at a farmstead creamery, hike in the footsteps of Revolutionary War militiamen, and sip wine by the fire during a getaway to the Foothills.
10 Spots for a Magnificent Mountain Meal
Stop by one of these storied spots to make your fall leaf-peeping trip a little more delicious.
NC Icons: Mountain Primer
Find out what makes our ancient Appalachian Mountains so magnificent in this primer on our peaks.
Natural Beauty in Blowing Rock
Marvel at Blue Ridge beauty from horseback, cast a line in a flowing mountain river filled with speckled trout, and uncover sparkling gemstones while on guided adventures in the High Country.
Big Memories in a Tiny Shack
In the shadow of Whiteside Mountain in Jackson County sits the Grimshawes Post Office, an eensy-weensy wooden building that old-timers fondly remember and newcomers visit on hiking excursions around Cashiers and Highlands.
Around Town: Wilkes
Two towns with a common heritage of music, moonshine, and mountain biking are the perfect base for exploring the wealth of beauty and culture that this county has to offer.
The Everything Root
A cure-all to many, wild ginseng is still hunted and sold in Blue Ridge counties. Protecting it takes vigilance, know-how, and, sometimes, even a stakeout.