Mountain towns south of Asheville

Asheville is having a moment. A very big moment. It has a vibrant arts scene, craft breweries popping up every minute, two new large breweries, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada, have opened for tours and tasting, and the food scene is out of this world. Add Biltmore Estate, the world's largest private home, and the Blue Ridge Parkway to the mix and it really hits it out of the park. But visitors to Asheville aren't always aware that there are some interesting small towns outside the city that are worth a visit. Last fall my sister and I visited two of them - Hendersonville and Brevard. Come along for a visit.

Hendersonville, North Carolina
Hendersonville is located about 30 minutes south of Asheville. A mountain community, Hendersonville is famous for hosting the North Carolina Apple Festival over Labor Day weekend every year. The Apple Festival is a 4 day event that includes free entertainment, foods featuring freshly picked apples (apple pie, apple cobbler, apple ice cream) and arts and crafts along Main Street. While some small towns have become economically depressed and have vacant store fronts, Hendersonville is thriving. There are restaurants, pubs, shops, patio dining and even a restaurant housed in an old bank. 









One of the most popular shops in Hendersonville is a branch of the famous Mast General Store. Started in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, Mast is an old time general store with penny candy, outdoorsy clothes and camping equipment. Stop in and grab an old fashioned soda or a North Carolina t-shirt.










Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard is located in Transylvania County, known as Land of the Waterfalls. Home of the famous white squirrel, Brevard hosts the White Squirrel Music Festival held at the end of May which includes a gallery walk, a 5k race, a parade , a beer garden and 3 nights of music. Also home to Brevard College, a 4 year college with a nationally recognized music program. 










The white squirrel is a white version of the eastern gray squirrel. There are various theories how they ended up in Brevard with the most prevalent being that a carnival truck overturned outside of Brevard and the squirrels were captured by a Brevard resident in the 1950's. 










Dupont State Forest, the only state forest in North Carolina, is next door. And one of the waterfalls there, Triple Falls, was used as a filming spot for the movie The Hunger Games. There are, however, 249 waterfalls located in Transylvania County so as they say "when it comes to North Carolina waterfalls, Transylvania County is Mecca."









So if you like visiting small, throw back, mountain towns with festivals, shopping, and idyllic main streets, then Hendersonville and Brevard are your kind of towns. And don't forget the surrounding mountains and the awesome fall color. Maybe I need to plan a trip for this year!


This blog is part of a link-up with: Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Travel Inspiration and The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond!







Comments

  1. I loved those timber chairs for sale on the footpath!

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    1. Very picturesque- such a mountain town. Thanks for visiting, Jan!

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  2. The towns look so pretty from your photographs, it's an area I've not ventured to yet so it was nice to read of something a bit different! #TheWeeklyPostcard

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    1. I really enjoyed my visit to both of these towns - hoping to make it there again soon! Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!

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  3. I like small towns and their atmosphere. It's nice to see that some are still doing well.

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    1. I do, too - and they both seem to be flourishing. Thanks for visiting, Rhonda!

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  4. Very pretty little place, especially with all those squirrels. Cheerwine! That sounds interesting. The colours in the trees are lovely and the last two shots look gorgeous. I'd love to be sitting in one of those rockers just soaking in the atmosphere of this quaint looking mountain town. Thanks for linking with #TheWeeklyPostcard

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    1. Thank you! And Cheerwine is a local soda with cherry flavor - it's very popular. Thanks for visiting!

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  5. I love small towns so this is great. I've been to North Carolina a few times and would love to go back. Thanks for the tips on destinations!

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  6. Thanks for your tips. I am scheduled to go to North Carolina next spring and this will come in very handy. Glad to see you joining #TheWeeklyPostcard again this week-end.

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    1. I hope you enjoy your trip to North Carolina - it has alot to offer! Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!

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  7. I have heard so much about Asheville, yet I've never been. I guess I'll have to rectify that! Beautiful photos. Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!

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    1. Thanks Corinne! I think you would like Asheville - it's very unique. Kind of like Portland meets an Appalachian mountain town - hipsterachhian, maybe? And thanks for visiting!

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