Hiking Through a Rhododendron Tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Craggy Gardens offers one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stunning vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretch far into Tennessee to the west and toward central North Carolina to the east. These views can be enjoyed from the parking area near the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and along nearby hiking trails.
A large picnic area is popular with visitors. On clear nights, Craggy Gardens is also a perfect place for stargazing.
In early summer, Craggy Gardens becomes a mountain-sized bouquet when the rhododendron thickets on the upper heights cover the landscape in pink and purple. A favorite hiking trail, Craggy Pinnacle, leads hikers through a “tunnel” of rhododendron to the summit which offers 360-degree view. This 1.5 mile round trip is an easy walk.
Books, CDs, souvenirs, and a photographic display can be found in the Visitors Center, and restrooms are on premises. There is no food concession.
Hours of Operation
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center: Memorial Day through October
This section of the Parkway is closed in the winter months.
Hours of operation are subject to change. Contact directly for most current information.
Location
Craggy Gardens is approximately 24 miles from Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Craggy Pinnacle parking lot Milepost 364.1
Craggy Gardens picnic grounds Milepost 367.5
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center Milepost 364.6
For more information, contact:
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
195 Hemphill Knob Road
Milepost 384
Asheville, NC 28803
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center: 828-298-5330
Visitor Information Recorded Message: 828-298-0398
http://www.nps.gov/blri
Vinnie’s features “Old School” Neighborhood Italian food reminiscent of Brooklyn, the Bronx, and the North End of Boston. It is hard to put into words the feeling of being in one of those great neighborhood Italian restaurants we have all grown up with. The aromas of home-cooked Italian food along with the rhythmic sounds of martinis being shaken to chilling perfection sets the tone for a night of fun and laughter. This combination of homemade cuisine and warm, friendly atmosphere makes you feel like part of the family. It means you could only be at Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian®.
Zambra is a charming nod to the tastes and traditions of the Western Mediterranean, offering downtown Asheville a contemporary twist on fine wine and tapas. In between the romantic amber-lit ceiling and smooth stone floor is a festive atmosphere that holds true to our name which means “gypsy dance of celebration.” We’ve carefully selected only the best of local ingredients and exotic Spanish wines to give our guests an unforgettable feast of the senses and a warm celebration of life.
Asheville’s only full service outfitter, French Broad Outfitters runs daily kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and tube trips on the historic French Broad River through the heart of Asheville and the Biltmore estate. Instruction, camping equipment rentals, shuttles, and sales in the River Arts District.
French Broad Outfitters is a full-service river outfitter in Asheville, NC. With three in-town locations, we offer kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, and tube trips on the third oldest river in the world.
Our outfitter store is a full-service kayak shop with anything that you would need for a day on the river. Our Hominy Creek location, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is a two-acre bar/playground situated on a peninsula with the French Broad.
Celebrating 16 years in historic Biltmore Village, fig is a small bistro with a big heart. We offer wholesome lunches and simple suppers rich in European tradition and served with a southern twist. Menus change with the seasons featuring daily specials along with fig classics like our sublime quiche, rich and savory bolognese and pan seared salmon. fig is a place where you go to be with your friends, be it a late lunch, an espresso and some dessert, or a glass of chilled rose in our tree filled courtyard. Our friendly little wine list, although small, is carefully curated with discerning palettes and budgets in mind. Understated yet elegant, with only 40 seats inside, fig feels familiar and intimate—your home away from home.
Allanstand Craft Shop
Established in 1895, Allanstand Craft Shop is nationally recognized as the oldest craft shop in America. Explore artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass, and much more, crafted by the members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, over 400 artists and craftspeople of Southern Appalachia.
AILY CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
March – December
Visitors are invited to watch and interact with Guild artisans demonstrating their craft in the lobby from 10am-4pm. Visit craftguild.org/events or call 828-298-7928 for the schedule.
Mountain High Adventures is a custom, guided tour service based in Asheville, NC. We offer sightseeing and hiking tours along the Blue Ridge Parkway, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and Pisgah National Forest. Chauffeured private hourly rentals are also available.
A blend of great regional micro brewed beers and bluegrass acts. Both traditional and alternative bluegrass acts represented at this annual event. 1PM – 7 PM.
Experience Jargon’s innovative menu of modern American plates, creative cocktails and desserts in a unique and fabulous setting. We source food from local growers that showcase seasonal offerings and unique ingredients that are blended with artistry and skill by award winning Chef Steven Goff and his crew. Located in a small historic building in the heart of West Asheville, Jargon’s continental social cuisine is inspired by the world around us, unconstrained by borders, and intended to bring folks together to delight in a language we all understand… delicious food. Masterful technique, amazing ingredients and deep relationships with local farmers and food providers all contribute to the dining experience at Jargon. It is our pleasure to wow your palate and surprise you with a culinary delight like no other.
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.
For more than 30 years…Cultivating Connections between People, Plants and Places…amid a 434-acre public garden, The North Carolina Arboretum is located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest just south of Asheville and adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393. Surrounded and crisscrossed by forested coves and meandering creeks in the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum is set in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America.
The Arboretum was established as an affiliate of the University of North Carolina System by the State General Assembly in 1986, nearly a century after Frederick law Olmsted, the Father of American Landscape Architecture, first envisioned a research arboretum as part of his legacy and plan for George Vanderbilt at Biltmore Estate.
copper crown is the result of a dream 11 years in the making. Our mission is to provide a neighborhood gathering place in our community of East Asheville where delicious food and drinks may be enjoyed by all. We are nestled between many neighborhoods, including Beverly Hills, Haw Creek, Oteen and others. We are conveniently located en route to the Blue Ridge Parkway and a few minutes drive away from downtown.
We aim to provide a little something for everyone and offer dinner seven nights a week. Our menu reflects both the diversity of our influences (American South, Italy, & New Orleans to name a few) as well as our support of many local farms. Our bar program features signature cocktails, local package and draft beer selections, and a full wine list. We are offering both indoor and covered patio dining, reservations are highly recommended due to limited availability. We appreciate your support and look forward to feeding you!
Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Châteauesque-style mansion built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately …
Outdoor Recreation, Gardens, Food and Wine, Music, Family Fun and more…
The Asheville Outdoor Center has been offering family-friendly calm-water river paddling since 1992. Enjoy a leisurely 7-mile canoe, kayak, SUP, or raft paddle down the French Broad River through the Biltmore Estate property. Please check out our website for more information and call us to make a reservation. Normal business hours Thursday-Sunday 9AM-5PM. We will also be open on Memorial Day and Labor Day. We are closed for the season from November thru March. We are the “Pioneers of the French Broad.” Come visit us!
Come down and enjoy all of the great festivities the AOC has to offer. Bring a picnic to enjoy at one of our picnic tables before or after your trip. We also offer our grounds for a variety of outdoor events.
Experience expertly prepared cuisine that emphasizes estate-raised and local ingredients, with world-class service inspired by the Vanderbilts. White linen tablecloths, fine china, and crystal add to the elegance, along with sweeping views of the estate.
Dinner showcases the season’s finest meats, seafood, and hand-crafted pastas served in a beautifully appointed location perfect for celebrations.
Jettie Rae’s Oyster House is a neighborhood destination where families and friends gather. It is a place to celebrate life, to toast after a long day of hard work, and to enjoy the finest oysters and freshest fish available. We offer quality cocktails and honest food done well in a relaxed and casual environment. We look forward to seeing you!
Inspired by a heritage stretching from Maine to the Gulf Coast, we celebrate the Gullah Geechee, French, Native American and Spanish cultures that have influenced the preparation of our seafood. We honor sustainability, we’re conscious of our source and we support the families and individuals who make their living from our coastal waters.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the French Broad River, and parallel with the River Arts District, Asheville is home to our East Coast Brewery and Liquid Center tasting room. Come spend some of your time in Western North Carolina with us imbibing on an Asheville-brewed Fat Tire and vibing with friends, family, our amazing bartenders and tour guides. Every Friday is Fat Tire Friday. A delicious cast of rotating food trucks will feed your belly as we feed your soul on one of our award-winning brewery tours. Please visit our website to learn more about upcoming events, our live music schedule, private room rentals, and to reserve your ticket on one of our tour experiences.
Roman’s is an award winning deli located in the heart of Downtown Asheville, NC. We have been selected as one of the top 12 Deli’s in North Carolina & Asheville’s Best Burger. Local draft beer & cider accompanies our menu which is created with numerous local ingredients that are brought fresh to our door daily. We offer made from scratch sandwiches, salads & soups and more. Located in the historic Vanderbilt Apartments building between the Pack Square Library & US Cellular Center. Great views of downtown & the historic Basilica St. Lawrence Church.
We are very proud of being a locally owned & operated family business. Our restaurant was built from top to bottom by our brothers. We have a small dedicated staff that we consider family who are ready to meet you on your next visit.
Thank you for being curious about who we are. We really hope to see you soon!
Caribbean inspired vegetarian friendly restaurant and bar with three locations in Asheville. A local and tourist favorite serving neighbors near and far with laid back vibes and fresh flavors.
Since Auguste Escoffier declared French cuisine the world’s finest in the early 20th century, the influence of the French kitchen has travelled the globe. From Montréal to Morocco to Vietnam, you can tour the world and find French flavors.
When the sun sets on Biltmore Village and the local shop owners return to their homes, the Corner Kitchen keeps cooking. Enjoy the warmth of our illuminated interior with comfortable cuisine. Order a unique cocktail and gaze upon the mountain sky from the comfort of our pristine patio. Find out what locals have known for over 16 years — dinner doesn’t only happen downtown in Asheville.
Urban Orchard Cider Co. provides two warm and inviting spaces in two unique parts of the Asheville, allowing visitors to experience our one-of-a-kind hard ciders that are made on site. We proudly offer a welcoming atmosphere that fosters creativity, invigorating discussion with friends, or a warm chair to enjoy your cider in one hand and your new favorite book in the other.
In a time where product labels can be difficult to navigate and interrupt, you can be sure that Urban Orchard Ciders are of the purest form. We are dedicated to producing the highest quality craft ciders that we feel good about drinking ourselves. Forget the days of overly sweet ciders, full of artificial sweeteners, aromas, and flavors. We let fresh-pressed apple juice do the job for us. Aging/maturation and a variety of yeast strains are competitive advantages for us and we have found that the extra work delivers us a superior product in the end. Stop by for a visit!