RV Road Trip: Asheville, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore, the Culture, the Hiking Trails...What More Could You Ask for in an RV Destination?
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Margaret W/Getty
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the picturesque city of Asheville. This funky and varied destination offers a wealth of activities for your group’s differing tastes. Ranging from outdoor adventures to cultural events, boredom is not on the menu in Asheville.
Downtown Asheville is preserved like a time capsule from the early 1900s, with art deco and neoclassical buildings housing restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The most well-known attraction in Asheville is the enormous Biltmore Estate, but the mansion is just one of the unique attractions in the area. Quirky tours and museums, abundant opportunities for adventure, and tasty local cuisine make Asheville an intriguing place to visit.
“America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway, winds through the surrounding mountains and skirts Asheville, making the city an ideal day-trip hub for biking, hiking, and leaf peeping. Layer after layer of mountains encircle Asheville, and in the fall, leaf colors appear as if an artist had dabbed their brushes in every hue.
One of Asheville’s best qualities is its mild climate, which allows for all-season camping. So, sip a local brew and revel in this gem of North Carolina from your mobile living room.
Retired RVers
Photo Credit: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Off the Beaten Path
Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site preserves Wolfe’s childhood home, the setting for his novel Look Homeward, Angel. The author lived there with his mother who used the property as a boarding house. The site has retained much of the original furnishings.
Photo Credit: Battery Park Book Exchange & Champaign Bar
On the Menu
Spend some time at Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar while perusing thousands of books. Stay awhile to enjoy wine, champagne, paninis, and salads. The bar is in historic Grove Arcade, a striking indoor mall.
Must-Do
The Asheville area boasts one of the most stunning and extended fall foliage seasons in the world. With more than 100 types of deciduous trees and a variety of elevations, the colors just keep going. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to Grandfather Mountain and hike, picnic, or just sit back and enjoy the view.
Stay Here
Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground offers a peaceful place to relax between sightseeing activities. The Good Sam Park has full hookups and a dog park. Mountain view sites are unavailable November 1st–March 31st.
Weekend Warrior
Photo Credit: Julie Perry Nelson
Off the Beaten Path
The Urban Trail is a free, self-guided tour around Asheville with 30 stations that detail the history of the area through statues, plaques, and art. Be sure to stop for a photo at the giant iron along the 1.7-mile stroll.
Photo Credit: Isis Music Hall & Kitchen
On the Menu
Visit Isis Music Hall & Kitchen 743 to experience the burgeoning music scene of Asheville. Enjoy delicious Southern comfort food in the dining room, lounge, or patio and listen to live music most nights.
Photo Credit: The Biltmore Estate
Must-Do
The Biltmore Estate covers 8,000 acres and includes a massive mansion, extensive gardens, and even a family-friendly village. Built from 1889–1895, the home was constructed for George and Edith Vanderbilt and still contains much of the original furnishings and priceless artwork. The mansion is the largest privately owned home in the US.
Stay Here
Family-owned Wilson’s Riverfront RV Park is conveniently located 4 miles from downtown Asheville. Half of the sites are on the French Broad River, allowing for relaxing views from your front patio.
Full-Time RVers
Photo Credit: Asheville River Arts District
Off the Beaten Path
Take a walk on the wild side with No Taste Like Home. On the three-hour Foraging Tour, guests find and gather wild, seasonal edibles from the forest. Taste your treasures on the less than half-mile stroll.
Photo Credit: Twisted Laurel
On the Menu
Spoil your pooch with delicious, made-to-order dishes from Twisted Laurel Downtown, which offers a menu just for dogs (their owners have their own menu, too). Humans will love the juicy steaks, Mediterranean-style homemade pasta, and stone-hearth pizza pies. Yum!
Must-Do
The River Arts District houses more than 250 artists who work with various media. Enjoy the Fall Studio Stroll November 12–13, and use the free trolley to help experience as much art as possible. Artists’ studios are open the second Saturday of each month, and you can sign up for classes where artists teach their trade.
Stay Here
Admire fall colors from your campsite at Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground. Nestled in Pisgah National Forest, a prime destination for leaf peeping, the area is a favorite with sightseers and mountain bikers.
Family RVers
Photo Credit: Moogseum
Off the Beaten Path
Longtime Asheville resident Bob Moog pioneered the use of synthesizers, transforming music to the rich sound we hear today. At the Moogseum, learn about Moog’s inventions, experiment with synthesizers to create your own sound, and watch a cool display that explains how electricity becomes sound.
Photo Credit: Creekside Taphouse
On the Menu
Unleash the kids at Creekside Taphouse’s playground and lawn games while you enjoy a local brew or cider. Nosh on sandwiches and salads while watching the brook flow by peacefully.
Photo Credit: LaZoom
Must-Do
Hop aboard the big purple bus and embark on an unforgettable ride with LaZoom. The Lil Boogers: Kids Comedy Tour will entertain the whole family while sneaking in facts about the city between jokes. Kids will have so much fun they won’t realize they are learning.
Stay Here
Asheville Bear Creek RV Park & Campground is close to town and the impressive Biltmore Estate. The Good Sam Park has wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and features laundry facilities, a playground, and a dog walk.
