Cedar Crest Inn is centrally located to all of the top attractions in Asheville and the western North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. Here are some of the top things to do:
Biltmore Estate: This is certainly on the bucket list for many of our guests. See our Biltmore Guide for many tips for planning a visit.
Biltmore Village: Built by George Vanderbilt (builder of Biltmore House), this charming historic village has a great collection of shops and restaurants nearby. Our top stop is New Morning Gallery with a big selection of handcrafted, original works of art, many from regional and national artists.
Restaurants: Asheville is known as "Foodtopia" for good reasons! Find world-class chefs and locally owned restaurants to suite all tastes. Go to the ExploreAsheville.com Restaurant Guide to browse the 300+ choices.
Craft Breweries: Sample local brews in our "Beer City USA" with dozens of craft breweries and cideries within a few miles of Cedar Crest Inn. Both Hi-Wire Brewing (2A Huntsman Place) and TreeRock Social Cider House (760 Biltmore Avenue) are within a few blocks of Cedar Crest Inn. Go to ExploreAsheville.com Beer Guide to read about beercations and find a list of breweries.
Downtown Asheville: From our B&B, head north about a mile to downtown Asheville with 100 restaurants, craft breweries, art galleries, festivals and plenty of local shops. Our top spots are Mast General Store, Kress Emporium, Woolworth Walk and the Grove Arcade.
River Arts District: About two miles from our B&B is the the home to 200 artists' studios and galleries in a refurbished warehouse district by the French Broad River.
Folk Art Center: Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, this is our favorite stop to learn about and see top local art and craft. Shop in the big gallery of contemporary and traditional folk art of the Appalachians and see rotating exhibitions and artists at work.
Asheville Art Museum: Browse a very impressive collection and visiting exhibitions in the middle of downtown.
Hiking: Find hundreds of miles for hiking trails surrounding Asheville - especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Pisgah National Forest. Choose from an easy stroll through the woods to a challenging trek up to a mountain peak. The most famous the Appalachian Trail, with many very scenic sections for a day hike. See the Explore Asheville Hiking Guide for many choices.
Waterfalls: Beautiful cascades of mountain streams and rivers abound. There are dozens of waterfalls near Asheville that are easy to enjoy - some with a short hike and others are roadside. See the Explore Asheville Waterfalls Guide for many choices.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Drive through the most visited National Park in the country with 469 miles of scenic mountain beauty. The Parkway goes thru Asheville and climbs from 2,000 feet of elevation in the valley to more 6,000 feet. Find many overlooks, hiking trails and waterfalls along the way. We suggest starting at the Folk Art Center or the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (about 5.5 miles from our inn). Head north to Craggy Gardens or Mt Mitchell. Head south to Mt Pisgah and Graveyard Fields. Go to the RomanticAsheville.com Blue Ridge Parkway Guide for a mile-by-mile guide to top stops.
Mt Mitchell State Park: Drive to the top of the highest peak in the Eastern United States. This park is free to visit and includes a 360-degree observation deck, hiking trails, picnic area, nature center, restaurant and more. From Asheville, drive north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the entrance. Go to the Mt Mitchell website.
The North Carolina Arboretum: This 434-acre park of gardens and trails features rotating exhibitions, bonsai collection, tours, classes and many special events including Winter Lights for Christmas. Go to their website.
Pisgah National Forest: This outdoor play land covers more than a half million acres. Our favorite section is near Brevard (and easy 30-mile drive from our B&B) is in the Looking Glass Rock hike and Looking Glass Falls roadside waterfall. Stop at Cradle of Forestry or along the many riverside picnic stops along the scenic drive up to the Parkway.
Chimney Rock Park: Home to the famous rock monolith with 75-mile views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure, the park features an elevator ride to the top and hiking trails. Go to their website.
Dupont State Recreational Forest: This is the top place to go for short hikes to waterfalls - including High Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls. It's also a great location for mountain biking and horseback riding. Go to their website.
Go to the ExploreAsheville Outdoor Adventure Guide for many more things to do in the Blue Ridge Mountains, including fishing, mountain biking, ziplines, golf, whitewater rafting, river tubing and so much more.
