Western North Carolina

Understand

The mountains of western North Carolina are among the oldest on Earth, and contain the highest mountain (Mount Mitchell), deepest gorge (Linville Gorge), and several of highest waterfalls (Whitewater Falls, Glassmine Falls, etc.) in the eastern United States, and is also home to the oldest river in North America (the New River) and the two most visited National Parks in the country (the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park). The region also has a stunning diversity of plant and animal life, more, in fact, than the whole of Europe.

Getting there

By plane, the closest airport to most of the region is the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL IATA) located fifteen miles southeast of Asheville. The nearest airports to Boone and the High Country are Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT IATA) in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI IATA) located between Johnson City and Bristol, Tennessee. The next nearest airports are the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP IATA) in Greenville, South Carolina and McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS IATA) in Knoxville, Tennessee. By train, the closest Amtrak stations to the region are in Greenville, South Carolina, and Charlotte. By car, two major Interstate highways cross the region: Interstate 40, which traverses east-west, and Interstate 26, which traverses north-south. In addition, US 321 is Interstate quality from just north of Interstate 85 at Gastonia to Hickory, and US 421 is Interstate quality from Interstate 77 to Wilkesboro and a multi-lane divided highway from Wilkesboro to Boone. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway also runs through the region. By bus, Greyhound has stops in Wilkesboro and Boone .

Getting around

By bus Bus transportation in this part of the North Carolina is very limited. Greyhound operates a route between Wilkesboro and Boone, but outside of that bus transportation is very limited and depends on several factors.

By car Like most places in the United States, cars are the primary form of transportation. Driving by car is the best way to travel if you're interested in exploring scenic highways like the Blue Ridge Parkway. I-26 and I-40 are the main interstate highways in the region. The 2 highways intersect in Asheville. Outside of the Asheville area US Highways are the primary forms of roads. The condition of US highways varies. Sometimes US highways can be up to freeway standards in places but usually are in the form of a 2 lane highway which can travel through rugged terrain which may be a challenge for drivers not familiar with such conditions. State highways are also commonly traveled and used to connect smaller towns though these roads are primarily used for local traffic.

See

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is a European-inspired chateau with a winery, restaurants, and horseback riding. The Carl Sandburg Home near Hendersonville is where the famed poet and biographer spent his later years. The Oconluftee Indian Village and Museum of the Cherokee Indian, in Cherokee, introduce you to the ancient Cherokee Native American heritage. The North Carolina Arboretum in Bent Creek near Asheville, has a visitor education center, greenhouse complex, gardens and loop trail on 424 acres. The Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley features 250 rare and vintage motorcycles and automobiles.

Itineraries Appalachian Trail — scenic nature trail stretching from Maine to Georgia Blue Ridge Parkway — historic and nature-filled mountain parkway in North Carolina and Virginia

Do

Blue Ridge Parkway Chimney Rock Park Linville Gorge and South Mountains State Park 1 navitat Canopy Adventures. - located in Barnardsville

Drink & nightlife

If you want to buy liquor by the bottle you must do it at state-run ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Commission) stores rather than at a traditional liquor store. The exceptions to this are Yadkin and Madison counties, which though not "dry" do not have ABC stores. ABC store hours vary by county. The alcohol laws of North Carolina prohibit the sale of alcohol after 2AM Monday through Saturday, and from 2AM until noon on Sundays.

Go next

Eastern Tennessee North Georgia Piedmont – central North Carolina, home to the major metro areas of Metrolina and the Research Triangle, which bring a mix of people and a faster-paced lifestyle than most places in the mountains Southwest Virginia – mountainous and largely rural, like Western North Carolina Upcountry South Carolina