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
Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Grove Arcade is a beautifully preserved historical building in the heart of Downtown Asheville that represents the heart and character of the town. It’s rich history and ornate architecture combined with its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants offer patrons a full-day immersion into Asheville lifestyle and culture. Opened in 1929 by E.W. Grove, Grove Arcade was built to celebrate the city he loved so much. Its rich history, ornate architecture, and eclectic mix of shops and restaurants were designed to offer patrons a full-day immersion into Asheville lifestyle and culture. Learn the fascinating story behind its construction, government takeover, renovation, and finally its grand reopening in 2002.
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.
In the heart of downtown Asheville many gather to participate listen and dance to the Asheville Drum Circle. Everyone is welcome to dance, drum, and celebrate with one another. It starts around 6:00 pm and ends at 9:45 pm. The drum circle has been active since 2001. For another authentic yet very different Asheville longtime music event, go to the Shindig on the Green.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Located just outside of downtown Asheville on 124 acres adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Resort. Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures takes you on a 2-3 hour journey into 150 year old trees overlooking historic downtown Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains on 11 ziplines from several hundred feet to 1200 feet long. Additional adventures at the same location include a treetop adventure park, KidZip, and miles of mountain biking trails offering Asheville’s only one stop complete outdoor adventure center. With over 40 years in the outdoor adventure industry, the family owned business is the most experienced outdoor adventure company in the SE with 3 generations involved in the operation.
Are you looking for adventurous outdoor activities or exciting things to do in downtown Asheville? Well look no further… The Adventure Center of Asheville offers Asheville’s Best Outdoor Adventures, just 5 minutes from downtown. Enjoy expansive views of the Asheville skyline from Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures or hop on one of our top-end mountain bikes and learn the meaning of “flow” on our on-site trail system created and groomed for the KOLO Bike Park. Looking for a unique and exciting challenge? Then head up into the trees at Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, an elevated obstacle course with five levels of difficulty. Bringing the kids? Check out KidZip, America’s first zipline adventure designed for kids under 10.
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.
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.
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®.
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.
Blue Dream Curry House is an international journey of flavor serving curries from around the world and local beers at an affordable price using high quality, fresh and locally sourced ingredients. We will always pay a living wage to our employees and take care of the earth while supporting the local economy of Asheville, NC in every way possible.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.