Area Attractions
The Asheville - Western North Carolina area is one of the most loved tourism locations in the nation. Stroll through the delightful arts and crafts community of neighboring Black Mountain, NC. Step back into yesteryear with a truly unique three-and-one-half hour steam locomotive train ride through the spectacular Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy touring the world-renowned 250-room Biltmore Estate, home of the late George W. Vanderbilt. Or walk across the mile high 228 foot suspension bridge and hike cliffside trails at the captivating Grandfather Mountain.
Who needs a water theme park when some of the wildest whitewater rafting sites are close by? Conferees can shoot the powerful rapids of several incredible rivers including the French Broad River which twists its way through scenic Pisgah National Forest.
Area Attractions
Biltmore Estate
The Asheville Tourists Minor League Baseball
Blue Ridge Parkway
Cherokee Indian Reservation
Chimney Rock Park
Cradle of Forestry
Dupont State Forest
Gorges State Park
Grandfather Mountain
Great Smokey Mountains Railroad
Linville Caverns
The North Carolina Arboretum
Onconaluftee Indian Village and Unto These Hills Drama
Pisgah National Forest
Waldensian Trail of Faith
Other Resources
http://www.asheville.com/
http://www.exploreasheville.com/
Area Golf Courses
Black Mountain Golf Course, Features a 747 yard par six hole. (828) 669-2710.
Brookwood Golf Club, 9 miles south of Asheville. (828) 684-6278.
Buncombe County Municipal Golf Course, East Asheville. (828) 298-1867.
French Broad Golf Center, Fletcher. (828) 687-8545.
Old Fort Golf Course, Old Fort. 9 holes. (828) 668-4256.
Reams Creek Golf Club, Weaverville. (828) 645-3110.
Call golf course for green fees.
White Water Rafting and Canoeing
Nantahala Outdoor Center, outposts near Marshall and Bryson City, N.C. White water rafting on the French Broad. 1-800-232-7238.
Wildwater Ltd. Rafting, various outposts in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. White water rafting on the Chattooga, Ocoee, Nantahala, and Pigeon Rivers. 1-800-451-9972.
USA Raft, various outposts in Western North Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee. White water rafting on the Nolichucky, Ocoee, French Broad, Nantahala, and Pigeon Rivers. 1-800-USA-RAFT. www.us raft.com
Southern Waterways, Asheville. Canoe and raft rental, French Broad. 1-800-849-1970.
Appalachian Riverboarding. Guided riverboard trips on the Pigeon and Tuckasegee Rivers. (828) 514-2374. www.KevinYount.com/appalachianriverboarding.html
Snow Skiing (Seasonal)
Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, N.C., 27 miles north of Asheville. 1-800-221-0409.
Cataloochee Ski Area, 40 miles west of Asheville. 1-800-768-0285.
Boone Area (approximately one-and-a-half to two hours from Ridgecrest)
Appalachian Ski Mountain, between Boone and Blowing Rock. 1-800-322-2373.
Hounds Ears, Foscoe, beginners. (828) 963-4321.
Ski Beech, Beech Mountain, highest slope in eastern North America. 1-800-438-2093.
Ski Hawks nest, Seven Devils. 1-800-822-4295.
Sugar Mountain, Banner Elk, greatest vertical drop in the South. 1-800-784-2768.
