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Hands On! - A Child's Gallery
GHands On! offers an affordable, educational and fun way to spend the day with your children, grandchildren, and students ages 1 � 10. This is a safe gathering place where kids can be kids while learning is nurtured. Field trips, special events, and birthday parties are welcome. We are located at 318 N. Main Street, between Black Bear Coffee and Pink Corsets.

River and Earth Adventures, Inc.
Whitewater rafting, cave tours, tubing, canoe/kayak rentals, and much more. Locations in Asheville, Boone, Marshall North Carolina, Elizabethton Tennessee. Lunches include local and organic foods. The best outdoor adventures in the high country. The only guide-owned and operated outfitter in the area. Guaranteed best customer service. The only eco-tourism outfitter in the High Country. Call for Reservations! Tours start at $15. Please call us today at 866-411 RAFT

USA Raft
The French Broad River is the closest white water rafting to Asheville, NC. This gorgeous river, in the heart of Pisgah National Forest, will delight even the most seasoned rafter. Our French Broad outpost is 30 minutes from Asheville. The Nolichucky River, Erwin TN, flows through a deep gorge and offers our most adventurous rafting experience with over nine miles of class II, III and IV rapids. Packages and group discounts available. 1-866-USA-Raft.
  • Mild to Wild White Water Adventure
  • Professional guide in every raft
  • Half Day trips starting at $42 per person
  • Accommodations available in our riverside Crockett Cabin
  • Guided Caving trips to Worley�s Cave
  • Adventure packages and Group discounts available
  • 1-866-USA-Raft, USA Raft

    Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School
    Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School is the south�s only AMGA Accredited Guide Service. They offer rock climbing, ice climbing guiding and rock climbing courses across North Carolina. A great and exciting way to see the Mountains! FMG also offers a teen adventure summer camps June through August. We only use American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) trained and certified Instructors and Guides. No other guide service in the Southeastern USA upholds this incredibly high standard. Excellence in Rock Guiding and Instruction since 1994.

  • The South�s only AMGA Accredited Guide Service
  • AMGA Certified Instructors or Guides on every trip
  • No experience necessary
  • We cater to all ability levels and ages
  • Toll Free: 1-888-28-GUIDE (4843)

  • Mast General Store
    Authentic general store featuring quality goods, traditional clothing and custom fit shoes. Since 1883, Mast General Store has been outfitting the Appalachians with traditional mercantile goods, comfortable clothing, rugged footwear and quality outdoor gear for all mountain seasons. Discover for yourself why..... some times are just too good to leave behind, and why it is a simple pleasure to just browse throughout the store. Visit us in Hendersonville, NC, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC.

    Chimney Rock Park
    In one place, the best of the mountains. Here you�ll find a variety of hiking trails � fun for the whole family or a little time alone; 75-mile views overlooking Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge and the Blue Ridge foothills; 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls - showcased in the 1992 movie, �The Last of the Mohicans�; a 26-story elevator blasted out of the inside of the mountain and special events, guided hikes and rock climbing and activities for groups, too. Just 18 miles from downtown Hendersonville on Hwy. 64 East. Open all year. Live it up! 828-625-9611

    Carolina Land.com
    One-to-twelve acre mountain home sites with marvelous views, priced from $29,900 - $99,900, also new, custom-built, easy-to-finish log cabins from $89,900 (cabins include 1 to 2 ac). Home sites feature streams, creeks and privacy. Located in the WNC mountains just east of Asheville, and close to Lake Lure, Lake James, Hendersonville, Chimney Rock, Black Mountain, Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, & Hickory. Enjoy hiking, trout fishing, swimming, canoeing, tubing, white water rafting, snow and water skiing, & four, distinct, mild seasons.
    Call for an appointment - 828.429.4004

    Flat Rock Playhouse
    Flat Rock, NC
    The State Theatre of North Carolina, and one of the finest local playhouses in the United States. Highly acclaimed throughout the theater world. The Playhouse�s dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a ten-show professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; performances and cabaret series by the YouTheatre; year-round classes and workshops for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 90,000 patrons annually and is a major contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina. Check the web site for schedule: www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

    Diamond Brand Outdoors
    Diamond Brand Outdoors is a complete outfitter and guide service in Arden, NC and in Downtown Asheville, NC. Whether you love hiking, camping, fly fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, or canoeing, Diamond Brand Outdoors is your one-stop shop for gear and information for your adventures in beautiful Western North Carolina!

    Great Smokey Mountains Railroad
    With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Great Smoky Mountains. Nantahala Gorge Excursion (4� hour round trip), Day Out With Thomas�, Peanuts� Pumpkin Patch Express, and the Polar Express�, are just a few of the wonderful trips available to passengers. Call for additional information, or to make advance reservations. 1-800-872-4681 or (828) 586-8811

    Bear Lake Reserve
    Located on Bear Lake 60 miles west of Asheville, Bear Lake Reserve offers luxury cottages and condos in a masterfully planned 2,100 acre Western North Carolina second home resort community. Soaring mountains, pristine lake, 9-hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, tennis, multiple pools, hot tubs, 14,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, performance amphitheater, Mill Pond Clubhouse and Pavilion, stocked trout ponds, private fly fishing, 17 miles of hiking trails, and more. Escape the city to pure joys of North Carolina lakefront and mountain living where you can create family memories year-round.
    828-293-0770 or visit www.bearlakereserve.com.

    Hickory Furniture Mart
    When you’re in Asheville, you’re just over an hour away from the nation’s leading home furnishings resource and a shopping experience you’ll never forget. See a thousand lines in nearly a hundred beautiful factory stores, outlets and galleries. Ideas galore. Famous North Carolina prices. On-site hotel, restaurant, shipping service. Visit hickoryfurniture.com. 800/462-MART

    Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design
    at the UNC Asheville Kellog Center at 1181 Broyles Rd. in Hendersonville. Gallery hours are from 1 - 5p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more information call 828-890-2050.
    Holmes Educational State Forest
    One of six educational forests in North Carolina, Holmes was designed as a living environmental education center. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch, but call first if you want to reserve the shelter. 828-692-0100.
    Mineral & Lapidary Museum
    TThe museum, located at 400 North Main Street, exhibits North Carolina Minerals, Fluorescent Minerals, fossils, Geodes (our specialty), gemstones & Jewelry from our local Mineral Club, and a wonderful Gift Shop. Open 6 days/week and all year long. Admission is FREE. Call 828-698-1977
    Pearson's Falls
    Located between Tryon and Saluda is Pearson's Falls. The Tryon Garden Club has own this 250-acre site for nearly 70 years. Hours are 10am -6pm Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults. (828) 49-3031. 
    Blue Ridge Parkway
    One of America's finest driving routes, following the the Blue Ridge Mountains from Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains.
    Appalachian Trail
    This world famous trail runs through North Carolina on its way from the state of Georgia to the State of Maine.
    Biltmore Estate
    George Vanderbilt created Biltmore Estate in North Carolina�s Blue Ridge Mountains more than a century ago as a retreat for family and friends; a place to rediscover gracious hospitality and revel in nature�s beauty. His vision holds true today. Explore Biltmore House, a magnificent 250-room ch�teau filled with priceless art and antiques. Stroll through century-old gardens designed by America�s first landscape architect. Savor award-winning wines and taste our chefs� creations using estate-raised foods. Enjoy our 8,000 acres of forests, farmlands, and rivers on bikes, horseback, and rafts. Request a FREE 32-page Visit Planner
    1-800-543-2961
    Bent Creek Experimental Forest
    One of America's oldest research forests that is maintained by the USDA Forest Service.
    Lake Lure, NC
    Ranked by National Geographic Magazine as one to the top scenic lakes in the world.
    Linville Caverns
    Located in WNC near Grandfather Mountain, Linville Caverns are worth the visit.
    Nantahala National Forest
    This national forest contains the Memorial Joyce Kilmer Forest that contains one of America's oldest stand of Poplar Trees.
    Pisgah National Forest
    Nearly 500,000 acres of protected forest, featuring hundreds of miles hiking, biking, and horse trails, waterfalls, and beautiful mountaintop views.
    North Carolina Arboretum
    A 427-acre facility with a Visitor Education Center, state-of-the-art greenhouses, beautiful gardens, and walking trails. 828-665-2492.
    feature story
    Great Smokey Mountains National Park
    America's most visited National Park. The Great Smokey Mountains National Park has the Blue Ridge Parkway going through it, so it is to access with great vistas around every turn.
    WNC Nature Center
    The Western North Carolina Nature Center is the first place where area children meet the animals they have read about. Deers, bears, cougars, wolf, racoons, birds and even farm animals are there for all to learn about. Exhibits on area poisonous snakes are worth absorbing. An aviary, self-guided nature trail and petting zoo make this a great place for the family. Small admission fee. 828-298-5600.
    Thomas Wolfe House
    The boyhood home of the author Thomas Wolfe (Look Homeward, Angel) is furnished with family posessions and open for tours (appx. 30 min.). A number of special events take place each year. Small admission fee. 828-253-8304. feature story
    Land of the Waterfalls
    Visit over 250 majestic waterfalls throughout Transylvania County. We're in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains where the air is cool, the waters are pure, and the welcome is warm!
    Learn About the Cherokee
    Learn the history and meet the people of the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Visit the Oconoluftee Indian Village and Unto These Hills for a great educational opportunity.
    Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center
    Pack Place includes the Asheville Art Museum, The Health Adventure, and the Diana Wortham Theatre.
    Carl Sandburg Home
    This historic site consists of a 22 room house, barns, sheds, rolling pastures, walking trails, two small lakes, ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an orchard. This is where Carl Sandburg felt the peace and solitude he required to write.feature story
    Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre
    The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre's work includes family oriented dance theatre productions, collaborative shows, community involvement, dance networking, educational training, touring shows and presentations, and an international exchange program.
    Appalachian Cultural Museum
    The mission of the Appalachian Cultural Museum is to provide a continuing reinterpretation of life and culture in the Blue Ridge region, and to serve as a laboratory for new museum ideas.
    The Health Adventure
    The Health Adventure celebrates the pursuit of wellness in mind, body, and spirit. The interactive activities throughout the Health Adventure keep children learning.
    Western North Carolina Farmers Market
    The Farmers Market features displays of high quality fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sourwood honey, and dozens of other farm fresh items.
    Western North Carolina Agricultural Center
    This is the home of the Western North Carolina State Fair. The facilities include the McGough Arena, J. Clayton Davis Arena, Outside Warmup Rings, Sales Arena, Stall Barns, and Youth Building.
    Gorges State Park
    The newest addition to North Carolina's state parks is right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gorges State Park has over 80 inches of rain a year making it a temperate rain forest. The plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls, and concentration of rare and unique species makes this a wonderful park to visit.
    Grandfather Mountain
    Experience one of WNC's greatest scenic vistas. The swinging bridge will give you a thrill when you cross it.
    Dupont State Forest
    Most first time visitors want to see falling water, and DuPont State Forest probably has as much per square mile as any public land in the Southeast. This is a beautiful new state park that was established in 1996.
    Brevard Music Center
    This premier summer music festival and comprehensive music center has set the highest standards in performance and education for six decades.
    Cradle of Forestry
    Features the first Forestry School in North America. Guided walks, craftsmen, interpretive movie, historic cabins, logging locomotive, helicopter simulator, Forest Discovery Center and hands-on exhibits.
    Mount. Mitchell
    The eastern United States highest mountain. Experience a wonderful drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville to the Mount Mitchell State Park. A great place to have a picnic and walk on the surrounding trails.
    North Carolina's National Forests
    Take a look at some of the nation's top national forests located in the great state of North Carolina.


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