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
Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures is a mountain bike guide service that specializes in professionally guided trips in Pisgah and Dupont. Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures offers self-supported guided trips that we will customize to your individual tastes and ability levels. We offer 1/2, full, and multi-day trips that include a snack and lunch. Let the locals show you the best Pisgah has to offer.
SUNDAY MASS:
5:00pm Vigil (Saturday)
9:00am, 12pm, & 4:00pm in Spanish
DAILY MASSES:
Monday, Friday – 12:10pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 7:30am
ADORATION AND BENEDICTION:
Friday, 11:00am to 11:45am
CONFESSION:
Friday, 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Saturday, 8:30am – 9:30am
VISITING HOURS:
Monday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Please refer to our online weekly bulletin for additional activities.
• NEW! Out of an abundance of caution and due to the Coronavirus Delta Variant, masks are again required at Mass, parish meetings and activities.
· Sign placement to encourage masks, 6-foot social distancing, and frequent hand sanitization if necessary.
· All hymnals and missalettes have been removed.
· Offertory baskets are available as you enter and leave the church – not passed down the pews.
· Communion offered under one species – consecrated host.
· The Sign of Peace, which is an optional rite, is suspended.
· Touchless Holy Water Fonts.
· Limited supplies of disposable masks are available for those who need one and forgot to bring their own.
· Parishioners are asked to bring their own hand sanitizer; an extra supply is on hand if needed.
· Continued monitoring of Diocesan, Federal, State, and Local Covid-19 recommendations and apply as needed.
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.
Wai Mauna SUP Tours was founded in 2015 in Asheville, North Carolina, when the founder, Kyle Ellison, moved from his childhood home in Maui to the mountains of North Carolina. Looking for a way to “bring Maui to the Mountains,” he named the new company “Wai Mauna SUP Tours”—a phrase which, in Hawaiian, means “fresh water in the mountains”—and offered guided paddleboard trips on Asheville’s French Broad River.
In 2021, Wai Mauna SUP Tours expanded to Driggs, Idaho, and now offers paddleboard rentals and shuttles on the scenic Teton River, with plans to expand in coming years to a mountain town near you!
Plant is an evolving chef-driven vegetable, fruit, and active-foods restaurant in Asheville, NC. We serve dinner from an open kitchen and bar, with 13 tables, 47 seats, kitchen-side dining, and a seasonal dog-friendly patio.
Visit our historic winery on Biltmore’s 8,000-acre estate nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. With your general admission Biltmore ticket, enjoy complimentary tastings of more than 20 of our handcrafted wines as our wine hosts take you on a journey through our reds, whites, and rosés. Linger at our wine bar where you can taste our reserve and sparkling wines by the glass along with delectable cheeses and locally-made truffles. Shop for your favorites and take home a taste of Biltmore. Interested in seeing our vineyards? Our exclusive “Vine to Wine Tour” combines an excursion over the river to our breathtaking vineyards on the west side of Biltmore—an area that most guests never see—with a walking production tour and wine tastings throughout the experience.
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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!
Chai Pani literally means “tea and water.” It’s slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” In Downtown Asheville (and now in Downtown Decatur) it means innovative, fun, affordable and delicious Indian cuisine. We’d go so far as to say it’s “mindblasting.”
Some of the best food of any country is its street food, and Chai Pani features chaat – crunchy, spicy, sweet, tangy, brightly flavored Indian street snacks. And because there’s nothing more comforting and delicious in any culture than a home cooked meal, Chai Pani also brings you thalis – traditional family meals highlighting India’s amazing culinary diversity.
Professional Fly Fishing Guide Service based in Asheville North Carolina. Specializing in guiding and teaching fly fishing for trout, smallmouth bass and musky in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Offering Guided Float Trips for trophy brown trout on South Holston River and Watauga River. Offering Guided Float Trips for trophy Smallmouth Bass near Asheville, NC. Offering Wade Trips for trout near Asheville, NC. Asheville Fly Fishing Company is committed to providing you with the trip of a lifetime. We value long-lasting relationships with our guests and enjoy sharing memorable days on the water. We are professional, hard-working guides who love bringing people to the finest waters this area has to offer. We welcome anglers of all experience levels and enjoy helping our clients develop their fly fishing skills. For more advanced thrill-seeking anglers, we can provide you with the most challenging yet rewarding fly fishing you will experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Tupelo Honey is a revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina mountains we call home. Our recipes are simply crafted and made from scratch with responsibly sourced ingredients that bring the best of every season. For 20 years, we have infused our Southern spirit into every bite. At Tupelo Honey, we create breakfasts, lunches and suppers that invite you to put on your Sunday’s best and gather around the table for gracious and delicious Southern food.
Sunny Point Café is a family owned, independent restaurant serving upscale comfort food from dawn to dark. Whether you want breakfast for dinner or a scrumptious dessert for breakfast we would love to satisfy your craving. We take pride in our made-from-scratch products and farm-to-table approach with our menu selections. At Sunny Point, we like fresh ingredients so much we have our own garden adjacent to the restaurant. During peak growing season, staff works daily in the garden harvesting ingredients for our specials – hard to get much fresher! Feel free to walk through our garden before or after your meal. Our café is small, but we do have a covered outdoor dining area, as well as tables in the garden, so you can dine al fresco most seasons. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the patio. Dinner is served starting at 4:00pm Tuesday-Saturday, and yes, you can order items from our breakfast and lunch menu in the evenings. We are busiest weekend mornings, but have provided plenty of shaded seating so you can relax while waiting for your table. Please note we are unable to seat incomplete parties, thanks for understanding.
Cúrate is a celebration of authentic Spanish cuisine. For those who have visited Spain, the Cúrate menu will bring back memories of the country’s best jamón Ibérico, vermuterías, and lively tapas culture. In recognition of the restaurant’s all-Spanish wine list, Cúrate was listed as one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants by Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2018. Cúrate means ‘cure yourself’ in Spanish, reflecting the belief held by Chef Katie Button and her family that there are curative effects in sharing good food and wine with family and friends. Experience the essence of Spain in downtown Asheville… one plate at a time.
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.
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…