From the amazing views atop Chimney Rock to the historic St. John’s in the Wilderness Church in Flat Rock to the excellent shopping in downtown Hendersonville to the pontoon boat tour of Lake Lure, you will delight in all the activities during Our State’s mountain getaway.

July 20 – 23, 2023
 

Package Includes:

• Three nights’ accommodations at the Hampton Inn Hendersonville
• Thursday night welcome dinner at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse
• Friday lunch at The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa
• Friday dinner at Eagle Bar and Grill at Cummings Cove Country Club
• Saturday dinner at Season’s Restaurant at Highland Lake Inn
• Three breakfasts
• All admissions and sightseeing per itinerary
• Our State guide
• Luxury motor coach for touring 

 

Itinerary Highlights:

• “Appalachian Wit and Grit,” a private concert with Michael Reno Harrell
• Guided tour of The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa and the rare, antique upright music boxes
• Lake Lure Flowering Bridge – Lake Lure Boat Tour
• Chimney Rock visit, including “Radical Raptors” presentation
• Guided tour of Hendersonville
• Free time for shopping and dining in Historic Hendersonville
• A Chorus Line at Flat Rock Playhouse 

 

Itinerary:

Day 1: Thursday, July 20

Arrive at the hotel – Hampton Inn Hendersonville where an Our State and AAA host will greet you in the lobby and assist you in getting situated.

Dinner tonight is at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse in Flat Rock. Festive and fun, it is a true local hangout for those who appreciate good wood-fired barbecue and other Southern comfort fare in the shady courtyard.

We return to the hotel after dinner for a good night’s sleep before a big day of touring the next day.

 

Day 2: Friday, July 21

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a day of exploring. Depart hotel for the resort community of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. Meander across the beautiful Flowering Bridge at Lake Lure with exclusive Flowering Bridge tour guides. The history of the project and the intricacies of the garden are truly inspiring on every level.

Next up, we head to The 1927 Lake Lure Inn to enjoy a tour of the rare antique original upright music boxes. Your senses will be amazed at the exquisite beauty, history, and songs of the music boxes. Afterwards, settle in for a delicious Our State lunch at Lake Lure Inn. After lunch, lean back and relax during your Lake Lure boat tour and talk. You will be regaled with stories of the homes and gain special insights into the making of the movie Dirty Dancing.

Last stop of the day – visit Chimney Rock and attend the “Radical Raptors” program. Take in the sweeping views and history of the grand rock. Then enjoy a scenic drive back to Hendersonville for a short rest time before dinner.

Tonight, enjoy an exclusive dinner by Chef Tom Makowski at the Eagle Bar and Grill at Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club.

Afterward enjoy “Appalachian Wit and Grit,” a private concert with Michael Reno Harrell, an award-winning songwriter, storyteller, and entertainer from the Southern Appalachian Mountains. He has appeared at MerleFest, National Storytelling Festival, and International Storytelling Center, among many other places around the world.

 

Day 3: Saturday, July 22

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a fascinating tour led by local historian, Eva Ritchey, as we travel back in time to downtown Historic Hendersonville. We will visit historic Main Street, stroll through the Henderson County Curb Market for a glimpse of a real local market, revel in the history of St. John in the Wilderness Church (Flat Rock), and enjoy the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club display and museum at the Historic Hendersonville Depot. Then there is free time in bustling downtown Hendersonville to dine & shop.

Dinner tonight is at Season’s Restaurant at Highlands Lake Inn and Resort – “Where historic charm meets contemporary cuisine.”

After dinner, we will attend the musical A Chorus Line at the Flat Rock Playhouse, North Carolina’s official theatre. Return to the hotel filled with good memories of your time in the mountains of North Carolina.

 

Day 4: Sunday, July 23

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and say goodbye to your fellow travelers. Perhaps stop into a shop or two that you may have missed the day before in Hendersonville on the way out of town.

 

Tour Rates:

$2230.00 per couple, based on double occupancy.

Single rate $1,365.

 

For reservations or more information:

AAA Vacations
Sandra Horton
(919) 832-0543, ext. 16050
sdhorton@aaacarolinas.com
 

Additional Information:

What to expect on an Our State trip:

Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.

We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.

You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.

Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.

Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.

One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
 

Physical requirements:

Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.

Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.

Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.

We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.

 

COVID-19 Travel Precautions – Update:

Effective January 1, 2023, Our State highly encourages, but no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters for travelers on our domestic tours. This policy goes into effect for international travelers on April 30, 2023. We will keep all participants updated of any changes to these requirements.