Family Weekend Getaway: Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway N.C.
We don’t zip line.
Or at least we didn’t until a Labor Day Weekend jaunt from Savannah, Ga. to the Asheville-Blue Ridge Parkway NC area. A summer of COVID-cancellations called for mixing in something new.
Canopy Ridge Farm zip line tour near Lake Lure, NC turned out to the perfect choice for us zip-line novices. Six zip lines. Lush forest. No ladders. And best of all, experienced, safe, mature, professional, fun guides. Reservations are recommended. Learn more here.
Other Asheville-area suggestions:
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
Lake Lure NC (where the movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed) looked interesting, but for a less busy time than traffic-congested Labor Day weekend. We didn’t spend much time there because of the crowds, other than a quick walk along the impressive Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, a historic 1925 bridge closed to traffic in 2011 to become an abundant flower garden. Free and open to the public.
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Hikes near Asheville
Mount Pisgah: 2.6 miles & nearby Frying Pan Mountain because who can pass up a hike to a fire tower that you can climb.
Craggy Gardens Pinnacle: 1.2 miles
Lunch Rock Trail, which starts at the Folk Art Center: 4.9 miles.
Mountains-to-Sea @ Craven Gap, which we did solely because my daughter is a Michelle Obama fan and Michelle Obama did this hike: 4.8 miles.
Note: We wanted to visit Mount Mitchell State Park (highest point in NC), but because of COVID social-distancing limits, that state park was closed early each day of the holiday weekend due to being at capacity. If you go, check North Carolina State Parks Facebook page for park closure updates before making the drive.
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Junior Park Ranger Nerds
Places where your kids can earn their junior park ranger badges in the Asheville area include:
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site: roam the park-like grounds where the Poet of the People retired. The house, barn and barnyard, restrooms, and other structures were still closed due to COVID, but we still got to the see the goats. Find junior park ranger info here.
Blue Ridge Parkway National Park Site, Visitor’s Center, Asheville: Find junior park ranger info here.
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Perks of staying outside the city
Our airbnb in Fairview, NC outside of Asheville was within a quick walk (past two bunnies and one fenced-llama) to Tryor’s Country Amish bakery and market.
We could feed the airbnb owner’s sheep, those that weren’t afraid of us, in nearby pastures and use the canoe and kayaks in the farm pond.
Definite advantages to staying outside of Asheville and within a short drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
So much to do in this area, we’ll be back.