Mountain vacation in north carolina
Mountain vacation resorts in north carolina
The Inn on Biltmore Estate
If glitz and glam top your list of must-haves for a top mountain resort, the Inn on Biltmore Estate won’t disappoint. Located in Asheville and a highlight of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, this lavish resort was once home to the Vanderbilts. Today, it is deemed one of the best tourist attractions in Asheville.
The immaculate grounds and resplendent gardens cover 8,000 acres peppered with walking, biking, and hiking trails, as well as a heated outdoor pool and hot tub. Kids will love the Pisgah Playground, falconry shows, and bike rentals, while it’s easy for adults to get lost for a few hours in the tranquil spa.
A variety of accommodations are available to cater to your every need. A more reasonably priced stay can be enjoyed at the Village Hotel, while four-star luxury is on hand in the glamorous Inn. The private Cottages are a must if you want to feel a bit more secluded. They come with a dedicated concierge, and a chef can be made available to cook and serve dinner in your cottage for a fee.
Multiple restaurants, cafés, and even a food truck serve tasty meals, but we’re betting you won’t be able to resist the treats at the Biltmore Dairy Bar, The Bake Shop, or The Creamery.
The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville
As soon as you glimpse its magical surroundings, you’ll understand why the Omni Grove Park Inn is one of the best mountain resorts in North Carolina. This luxurious AAA Four Diamond property is a beautiful gem bursting with the charm of a European mountain château.
The Blue Ridge Mountains form a stupefying backdrop to the dramatic stone buildings set atop Sunset Mountain. Visit in fall if you really want to be wowed. The already spectacular grounds come alive with vibrant foliage so colorful, your camera will go into overdrive.
Southern hospitality is found around every corner, and the five-star rooms are as plush as you’d expect from a resort that’s played host to celebrities and presidents for over a century. Book a corner room if you want a view to remember and extra space to stretch out.
The property is also home to a Donald Ross-designed golf course; 43,000 square-foot subterranean spa; 50,000 square-foot sports complex with a fitness center and pool; indoor and outdoor tennis courts; and the Nantahala outdoor center, which will help you book awesome activities like ziplining, canopy tours, and whitewater rafting.
Blue Ridge, Sunset Terrace, Edison, and Vue 1913 offer food so good, you’ll crave seconds, and the Spa Café is a great option for breakfast, a snack, or light lunch.
Haywood Park Hotel & Atrium, Asheville
The boutique Haywood Park Hotel & Atrium resides in what was once the popular Bon Marche department store in downtown Asheville. Some rooms at this plush, four-star hotel give a lovely nod to their historic roots, offering up comfortable luxury with an added burst of old-world charm.
The Deluxe city view suites are more modern and expansive, boasting cosmopolitan vistas enhanced by giant windows that also feature distant mountain scenes. The 48 suites range in size from 475 to 1,200 square feet. And nightly turndown service includes a handmade chocolate on your pillow. Chivalry isn’t lost!
Isa’s French Bistro, the on-site upscale restaurant, will tempt your palate. You can work off that extra serving in the fitness center or, better yet, book a treatment at the Skin Spa Asheville.
High Hampton Resort, Cashiers
The setting at High Hampton Resort is so spectacular, you’ll think you’ve walked into a postcard. Sitting serenely in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this pretty 1,400-acre property includes a 35-acre lake so inviting, you’ll want to relax by its shores (or better yet, head into, or on, the water) for hours.
A perfect respite for couples, families, and friends, this versatile resort is located just two miles from the charming village of Cashiers and offers a variety of room types. The historic Inn hosts a range of cozy, rustic-chic rooms on their second floor. They include a king or queen-sized bed and private bathroom but vary in size.
Cottage rooms are a more luxurious upgrade, located just outside the Inn. Two queen beds, one king, or one queen are available, depending on your needs. Or book a cottage suite, which comes with multiple bedrooms, a perfect option for those traveling with kids.
Reserve a House if you’re looking for extra space and privacy. They come with a full kitchen, dining room, and living room. The Log Cabin is a must if you’re hoping for romance. It has a porch and deep soaking tub to help get you in the mood.
Resort amenities include a spa, health club, golf course, tennis courts, hiking trails, and access to the Fly Fishing Trail of North Carolina.
The Esmeralda Inn, Restaurant & Spa, Chimney Rock
The lovely Esmeralda Inn, Restaurant, & Spa lies deep in the Hickory Nut Gorge, a captivating section of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. Just 23.5 miles from Asheville, this pretty spot is a perfect place for travelers wishing to get the most out of both the city and a more rustic, mountain countryside.
Hiking trails, a hot tub, spa, meeting rooms, and a game room are added perks enjoyed by guests of all ages at this top North Carolina mountain resort. When you’ve worked up an appetite from all that activity, head to the charming Esmerelda Restaurant.
Accommodations range from traditional guest rooms perfect for a romantic night (or three) away to larger, more upscale terrace rooms and premium mountain-view rooms offering stunning vistas and more space. If you’re traveling with kids, other family members, or friends, consider staying in one of the intimate cabins.
The Rocky Broad River Cabin is adorable. A log cabin boasting impressive views, this two-bedroom locale is utterly relaxing with the calming sound of the river nearby.
A gourmet breakfast is included with your stay no matter which type of room you choose, as are fireplaces.
Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Asheville
The Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville neighbors the glamorous Biltmore Estate. Set within the Blue Ridge Mountains, this boutique, Autograph Collection resort is a real gem, with Tudor-inspired architecture and romantic stone floors.
The delectable Red Stag Grill restaurant, full-service Poseidon Spa, and an art gallery make it easy to keep busy on the glorious grounds of this sprawling estate. Other amenities include a business center, conference facilities, and fitness center.
The rooms are elegant and airy, with some boasting private balconies to further enjoy the marvelous view. They all come with soaking tubs, comfy bathrobes, and luxury bedding. Up the romance with a stay in the separate King Manor House.
Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock
Chetola Resort more than lives up to its name, which means “Haven of Rest” in Cherokee. The resort is set on 78 acres on the banks of Chetola Lake, with the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains as a stunning backdrop. It’s hard to feel stressed while you’re on these grounds.
Have tight muscles that need some attention? Visit the Spa, where you can have any remaining tension pampered away. Then placate yourself with a delicious meal at one of the two on-site restaurants.
Included with your resort fee are seasonal access to water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing, as well as an indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, disc golf course, children’s indoor and outdoor play areas, lawn games, and a shuttle to Appalachian Ski Mountain in winter.
Three types of accommodations are available to suit your various needs: Chetola Lodge offers rooms with mini fridges, a microwave, and coffee maker, while Chetola Premier Condominiums are a perfect spot for families who’d like a little extra space. They come with a fireplace, kitchen, and washer/dryer to make a stay feel just like home.
The Bob Timberlake Inn is a more elegant bed-and-breakfast type of accommodation. A large estate home, this comfy retreat includes daily breakfast and access to the Inn’s library, lounge, and pantry, which has tasty treats (including ice cream).
Guests are granted access to the 67-acre Chetola Sporting Reserve, where they can practice their aim at archery or head out on a fly-fishing excursion.
Etowah Valley Golf & Resort, Etowah
Another gorgeous mountain resort in North Carolina, this Etowah-based gem is a perfect place to stay if you’d like to add a few rounds of golf to your stay. Home to a 27-hole golf course, this premier mountain golf resort makes the most of its glorious grounds.
Each room is either set on the golf course or offers great views of it, so you’ll never feel too far removed from the game. Book a stay and play package for the best deal.
Choose from 65 regular, well-priced guest rooms or book a much larger and more upscale Lakeview or Overlook Cottage if you’re traveling with friends or family or want to enjoy more space.
Zeke’s Greenside overlooks the golf course (in case you didn’t figure that out from its name). You can enjoy a meal on the outdoor patio and if you plan it well, live entertainment on Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday night from April through October.
Amenities include a driving range, putting greens, a pro shop, heated swimming pool, and tennis courts.
The Lodge at Flat Rock, Flat Rock
There’s no mistaking you’re in a mountain locale during a stay at the idyllic Lodge at Flat Rock. This all-suite resort is highlighted by a lobby with a massive stone fireplace, an outdoor pizza oven, waterfall courtyard, and encapsulating mountain views. It’s basically the stuff dreams are made of.
The rooms are as cozy as you’d expect from a mountain lodge. Earthy tones, plush beds, and soft carpets make you feel warm in the cooler months, and they enhance the beauty you see through your window. The one-bedroom King Suite is a must if you’re in the market for extra space. It comes with a full kitchen, sleeper sofa, work area, and living room section.
Amenities include an indoor pool, BBQ area, and an exercise room. There’s no restaurant on-site, but you’ll find many close by, and your private kitchen makes it easy to enjoy a dinner (or lunch) in.
Mountain vacation destinations in north carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the U.S. Located in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, the park encompasses 520,000 acres (or 800 square miles) of natural beauty, thundering waterfalls and abundant wildlife. The park is also known for the striking blue mist over its peaks and valleys, which inspires the Great Smoky Mountains name. If you’re staying in Asheville, the main western entrance to the park at Oconaluftee Visitor Center is approximately 55 miles from town. The visitor center is where you’ll find a collection of historic log buildings. It’s also one of the best places to view the park’s elk herd. While there, visit nearby Mingus Mill – a grist mill dating back to 1886.
Cataloochee Valley is another great spot for elk viewing. You’ll also find an old church, farmhouse and one-room schoolhouse built by the homesteaders that first settled the area. For hikers, there are three popular hiking trails: Midnight Hole, Mouse Creeks Falls and the more challenging Mount Cammerer at Big Creek. And if you’re up for even more adventure, head over to the overlook at Newfound Gap for picturesque views or visit the observation tower on Clingmans Dome, the highest summit in the Smokies at 6,643 feet elevation. Visitors to the park say that it’s beautiful to see in every season, especially in the fall. They also mention that there are trails for all levels of hikers.
The Blowing Rock: Blowing Rock
Known as North Carolina’s oldest travel attraction and one of the top destinations in the North Carolina mountains, The Blowing Rock has been welcoming travelers since 1933. The ancient rock, created during the formation of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is actually a jagged cliff at 4,000 feet above sea level overlooking Johns River Gorge at 3,000 feet below. And from the precipitous ledge, you can also see Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock in the southwest and Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell to the west.
In the winter months, The Blowing Rock experiences a peculiar occurrence – snow falls upside down. This phenomenon, which is how the rock got its name, is caused by a flume formed by the rocky walls of the gorge. The strong northwest winds produced in the flume are powerful enough to return light objects dropped into the void.
A half-mile self-guided path around The Blowing Rock includes a nature trail and a picnic area. The attraction is also pet-friendly for leashed animals and about 70% accessible for visitors with mobility concerns. Travelers comment that the views from above are worth the visit and they also appreciate the friendly staff. After your visit, head over to Blowing Rock Brewery and Ale House Restaurant for a craft beer paired with a local Carolina bison burger. If you’re planning to stay and explore more of the area, make reservations at Westglow Resort & Spa, an intimate Relais & Châteaux property in Blowing Rock.
Pisgah National Forest: Asheville
Pisgah National Forest boasts more than 500,000 acres of old-growth forests, with nearly 100,000 acres that once belonged to George W. Vanderbilt. When Vanderbilt’s wife, Edith, sold the lands to the U.S. government in 1914 after her husband’s death, this created the first national forest east of the Mississippi River. Pisgah is also home to the first school of forestry in the U.S. Travelers can visit the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site in the park, which features historic buildings, guided walks, living history interpreters, an old logging train and the Forest Discovery Center.
A popular drive for visitors to Pisgah National Forest is the 15-mile Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 276). Along this route, you’ll find the Cradle of Forestry Historic site, Sliding Rock natural waterslide and Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls. If you’re an experienced hiker, you’ll want to plan a visit to the forest, as the highest peaks in the eastern part of the U.S. are located in Pisgah.
Another top attraction is the North Carolina Arboretum, which boasts acres of trails and cultivated gardens with beautiful plants and flowers. Hikers and mountain bikers will want to check out the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area (in the center of Bent Creek Experimental Forest), Black Balsam Knob and Graveyard Fields. And if you’re staying in Asheville, you can catch close-up views of Mount Pisgah, just 10 miles south of town on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Travelers say the area is beautiful with lots of trails, waterfalls and places to camp. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch for your visit so you can take a break from driving or hiking and relax and enjoy the views.
