mercredi 26 octobre 2016

Make Asheville NC Inns Your Base And Explore A Hidden Jewel

By Kimberly Walker


More and more travelers are discovering America's smaller cities. Many of these destinations are just compact enough not to be overwhelming but they still offer a great variety of things to do. They also tend to be much more affordable than more famous cities like New York or San Francisco. For the price of a basic hotel room in Manhattan, for instance, you can stay in one of the charming Asheville NC inns and explore one of America's hidden jewels.

Asheville lies where the Swannanoa River meets the French Broad River in the western part of North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Mountains are to the east of the city while the Great Smoky Mountains are to the west. Charlotte is about 130 miles southeast of this stunning little city while Atlanta is about 200 miles to the southwest.

Originally the area was in the homeland of the Cherokee people. The first settler families of European descent came here during the 1780s and by 1797, the town Asheville was named for Samuel Ashe, who was the North Carolina governor. In the late 1800s the sleepy little town started growing very fast because the railways brought industries such as textile mills to the area and soon it was a bustling little city.

The Great Depression hit the area very hard and the economy didn't show much growth until about fifty years later. However, the economic stagnation meant that there wasn't much new construction going on and today Asheville is famous for its Art Deco buildings. The city has also become a haven for hippies and artists, with many spas, unique stores, small independent breweries, theaters, music venues and art galleries.

The breathtaking natural scenery of the area means that there are many ways to be active in the great outdoors too. National forests and parks like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are close enough for a day trip and you'll also find many hiking and biking trails to explore. You can try your hand at adventure sports too and after a busy day, you may want to relax at one of the local spas.

Asheville plays host to many different events and festivals during the year. The food, craft beer and arts festivals are very popular and sports enthusiasts also come from all over to attend the Mountain Sports Festival every May. The sounds of fiddles and banjos can be heard at any of a number of festivals showcasing the folk music of the Appalachian region.

Any time of the year is a great time to visit the region with its mild climate. Summers are humid and warm but not unbearably hot. In winter you may experience some snow but not nearly as much as destinations further north. In fall, the colors of the foliage rival those of New England but temperatures are much more pleasant.

Asheville has a regional airport with flight connections to several major cities. Coming in by road is a great option too, especially since the drive through the mountains is so scenic. You'll find plenty of lovely accommodation establishments, many of which are in historic Victorian mansions.




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