Asheville and Lake Lure Craft Fairs & Festivals

The festivals don’t stop with the start of the school year in Asheville, where arts and crafts fairs keep drawing hundreds of people during the fall to celebrate the arts in all its forms.

The Southern Highland Craft Guild sponsors the twice-a-year Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands. The fair is the preeminent event to showcase artistic talent from across the Appalachian Mountains, so expect everything from pottery and jewelry to furniture and fiber arts.

The guild also sponsors a Heritage Weekend, to celebrate the crafting tradition of the Appalachian Mountains. Don’t miss the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday.

The Lake Eden Arts Festival, is a popular stop for its Folk Art Extravaganza and impressive music lineup ranging from old time and bluegrass to funk and swing.

And for a festival with (more than) a touch of mischievousness, don’t miss The Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival sponsored by Arts 2 People. Why? The group says it best.” If there is any day to wake up and throw on your feather boa and checkered shoes and head on into town, this would be the day!”
Don't forget about the rich artist communities of Weaverville and Black Mountain. Both towns host craft tours that take you to the artists studios. Wander through Black Mountain and Swannanoa for the East of Asheville Studio Tour. Venture north to Weaverville and the surrounding area for the Art Safari.

Asheville and Lake Lure Holiday Shopping

Christmas shopping should be fun! In Asheville, you can avoid tension, bad attitudes and long lines by strolling our pedestrian-friendly shopping districts and visiting independent, locally-owned boutiques and galleries. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list from the outdoor adventurer to the eclectic collector to the farm-to-table foodie.

For lodging you can plan a Lake Lure Holiday Vacation instead of staying in overpriced and crowded hotels. Many are available just a short drive from Asheville and Biltmore.

The Holiday Season at Biltmore

Biltmore's Christmas tree is truly a spectacle each year. Last week, Biltmore raised a 35-foot Fraser fir inside the Vanderbilt mansion. The 25-year old tree was delivered by horse and carriage, just as it would have arrived when the Vanderbilts lived here. Using a system of ropes and pulleys, crews hoisted the majestic giant with ease before decorating with holiday ornaments.

http://christmas.biltmore.com

A cost effective way to visit Biltmore in the holiday season is to rent a Lake Lure Vacation Home and stay there instead of an overpriced hotel. Enjoy a "home away from home" as you make the most of this holiday season.

Fall Color Drives

Road trips are especially memorable in the fall. Here are some great ideas for fall road trips in the Lake Lure and WNC area. If your trips are going to take more than a day, a great idea is to plan a Lake Lure Vacation and spend the night(s).

Chimney Rock Park

Chimney Rock Park, located in Hickory Nut Gorge, offers expansive views of the gorge and Lake Lure. The quickest way to Chimney Rock Park from Asheville is via I-26 East to US 64 East to the park.

Reems Creek Valley

Follow US Highway 19/23 north to the New Stock Road exit. Turn right at the light and left at the next light, onto US 25. Follow this highway less than one mile to Reems Creek Road and turn right. Drive five miles to Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace State Historic Site, site of a working 1830s-era farm once owned by North Carolina’s Civil War governor, Zebulon Vance. From Vance Birthplace, turn left and travel half a mile to Ox Creek Road, winding through the picturesque community to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn south on the Parkway. You may want to shop for mountain handicrafts at the Folk Art Center and drive a little further south to the North Carolina Arboretum before returning to Asheville.

Hickory Nut Gorge to Black Mountain

From Asheville follow I-26 South to US 64 East and into Hickory Nut Gorge. Continue on to Chimney Rock Park, the setting for the movie “Last of the Mohicans.” Take in the views of Lake Lure, where Patrick Swayze danced in the film “Dirty Dancing.” Head back to Bat Cave and pick up NC 9, a true mountain road with spectacular views of the cliffs around the Lake. Wind your way to Black Mountain and explore the many galleries and artisan boutiques that make this small town worth the stop. From Black Mountain, take US 70 through the Swannanoa Valley back to Asheville.

Kimberly Avenue, Asheville

Located just north of downtown Asheville, Kimberly Avenue will be canopied by the orange tint of sugar maples. A drive offers views of the historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa perched on the hill above the street. From downtown Asheville, take the Charlotte Street exit off I-240 and proceed north on Charlotte. Turn left onto Edwin Place and follow through the light as it turns into Kimberly Avenue. Follow Kimberly to Beaverdam Road. Turn right and drive through the scenic Beaverdam Valley before circling back to Asheville.

North Carolina Arboretum 

Surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, the North Carolina Arboretum is nestled amidst one of the most beautiful natural settings in the US and is a great place to see Mother Nature’s fall color finale. The Arboretum is located south of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393, or take I-26, Exit 33 (formerly Exit 2) and proceed 2 miles south on Highway 191/Brevard Road.

North Carolina Mountain Fall Colors

It's fall and the leaves are gonna change. This is a great time to get out of town, get up to the mountains and take in some fresh mountain air. The view this time of year is amazing. Lake Lure Cabins are great places to stay and check out the fall colors. Lake Lure vacation cabins are an inexpensive and fun way to experience the Lake Lure Area.

Asheville Halloween Ideas

Looking for something to do this Halloween? Asheville, Lake Lure and the surrounding areas have some great ideas:

Eliada’s “Fields of Fun” Corn Maze & Fall Festival

Enjoy 12 acres of twisting trails and two levels of difficulty. This season will bring back last year’s popular horse and buggy rides as well as the haybale maze for toddlers, which will be located next to our new corn box. The corn box is a giant sandbox filled with corn kernels and sandbox toys. Other new additions include corn cannons, a pumpkin house, slackline challenge, pedal carts, and a cow train, which is a barrel train pulled by a tractor with cars painted to look like cows. There will also be a Haunted Corn Maze! The "Field of Screams!" Open Friday and Saturday nights through Halloween. Admission is $12.

Event date(s):

Sep 17, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010

Canton Corn Maze

Come and enjoy getting lost in this fun corn maze! Lots of special events each week to participate in or watch such as a lumberjack contest, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, pony rides, country store and more! A Haunted Corn Maze and Haunted House are available from October 1st through Halloween.

Event date(s):

Sep 18, 2010 to Nov 07, 2010

Blue Ridge Corn Maze

6 Acres of "corn-fusion" where you can lose it and it's all right! Come enjoy getting lost! Shock in the Corn Haunted Corn Maze the last two weekends of October

Event date(s):

Oct 01, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010

Haunted History & Murder Mystery Trolley Tour

Sit back (if you dare) as we illuminate Asheville's dark side with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem

Event date(s):

Oct 01, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010

Ghost Train Halloween Festival

Don’t miss a hauntingly good time as Tweetsie Railroad celebrates the 21st season of its Ghost Train Halloween Festival. The Festival’s non-stop excitement has made the event one of the most popular Halloween celebrations in the High Country. During the day, visitors can enjoy Tweetsie’s Wild West adventure, but when the sun goes down, trick-or-treaters of all ages will experience chills, thrills and a frighteningly good time. Hop aboard and join engineer Casey Bones and his crew on the Ghost Train and experience Halloween fun all evening long. Take a trip to “The Boneyard” for the 3-D Maze, the infamous Black Hole and the all-new Freaky Forest attraction. The Freaky Forest invites guests to take a spooky stroll along a dark, desolate pathway where they’ll encounter the creatures, ghouls and terrors from your funniest nightmares! The Freaky Forest is recommended for brave guests over eight years of age.

Event date(s):

Oct 01, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010

Asheville Historic Trolley Ghost Tour

Relax on our trolley as you weave and twist through the oldest, and most haunted, mountains to visit the chilling sites of Asheville. Spend 60-90 minutes absorbed in the darkest clouds of the "Land of the Sky.

Event date(s):

Oct 01, 2010 to Nov 30, 2010

Ghosts & Haunts Walking Tour

Join us as we take a leisurely stroll and search along the shadowy streets of downtown Asheville, to hear stories of the unexplained and the strange. Hear about haunted buildings in the downtown area, about a brutal murder that occurred here and the young victim that still haunts the building it occurred in. Learn about the old county jail where six legal hangings and several lynchings occurred and how those spirits terrorized the inmates and jailors one night. Listen to a true and bizarre story that started in Asheville and concluded in Florida, and much more.

Event date(s):

Oct 01, 2010 to Nov 30, 2010

Pinhead's Graveyard

WNC’s only outdoor haunted house... come get scared! Open every night!

Event date(s):

Oct 08, 2010 to Nov 01, 2010

Walking Ghost Tour

There’s no better time to take a ghost tour than Halloween! Let us lead you through Asheville’s darkest secrets, deepest mysteries, and most haunted locations. During our 90-minute walking tour through downtown Asheville, we’ll visit the locations of some of the most famous haunts in Western North Carolina. The tour was designed by paranormal investigators who have been featured on National Geographic Channel. Be sure to bring your camera!

Event date(s):

Oct 13, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010

Haunted Pub Crawl

Learn about a side to this town that few people realize ever existed over the course of a rowdy night out on the town at our favorite haunts! Enjoy drink specials at actual haunted bars and end the night dancing at a Haunted House! There’s no better, spookier, more entertaining, more authentic way to experience Asheville. For some of the pub crawls the ticket price will include admission to Grove House and parking all night at the lot across the street.

Event date(s):

Oct 13, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010

LaZooms Haunted Comedy Tour

Real stories... real scary Real Funny! This horrific and hysterical exploration takes you on a trip through Asheville's dark and sordid past. Your tour guide Lando Sky has will uncover mysteries, tell tales of murder, deceit, scandals and ghosts. Riders are encouraged to bring their cameras, they guarantee you'll spot a ghost or two! Dress warm. Bus tours are 60 minutes long and for adults only. You must be at least 18 years to ride. Beer and wine is allowed on board to responsible passengers 21 and up. Costumes are encouraged.

Event date(s):

Oct 15, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010

Haunted Barn & Trail of Terror

Come visit Horse About, Inc. farm and travel through the haunted barn and take the riding trail of terror!

Event date(s):

Oct 21, 2010 to Nov 07, 2010

The Cradle of Forestry Presents: "The Legend of Tommy Hodges"

A mystery over time becomes a legend, and a legend grows in the telling. It was Halloween night in 1906 when one of the students from the Biltmore Forest School, the fictitious Tommy Hodges, disappeared. The Cradle of Forestry will present this outdoor drama about the first forestry school in America. This is a rain or shine event! The event will take place along the paved Biltmore Campus Trail and includes characters and stories based on the diaries of students who attended the historic school from 1903-1907. The audience will walk one mile along the trail to see the entire play, so audience members are asked to dress warm, wear walking shoes and bring a flashlight.

Event date(s):

Oct 22, 2010 to Oct 23, 2010

Dracula

Just in time for the haunting season, Dauntless Productions makes its theatrical debut with Bram Stoker's immortal classic, "Dracula". This ghoulishly seductive show tells the story of Count Dracula as he leaves his home in Transylvania for England, where he both entices and terrorizes its inhabitants. Performed by the Montford Park Players

Event date(s):

Oct 22, 2010 to Oct 30, 2010

Howl-o-Ween at WNC Nature Center

Come visit our 43-acres during the cool of the evening. Our creatures of the darkness will be on display in the Creepy Crawler Cabin along with some fabulously large pythons, boas, lizards with the Southern Appalachian Herpetological Society members! The club will be holding a raffle for herpetological items with proceeds going to the WNCNC’s Veterinarian Clinic. Learn about skulls, bats, nocturnal creatures and our native wildlife through programs and enrichment presentations on the hour starting at 1:00pm.

Event date(s):

Oct 23, 2010 at 01:00 PM

Rainbow Mountain Children’s School Halloween Hoe Down

Join the fun at the Harvest Hoe Down! Activities include live music, entertainment, food, kids' raffle, games, childrens' fun activities and more.

Event date(s):

Oct 30, 2010 at 12:00 PM

Halloween Dog Festival

Contest fees are $5.00 per dog per contest. Categories include Large dog, Small dog, Best Ensemble & Best Trick. Plan to spend a day visiting downtown and the outdoor cafes that cater to you and your best friend. There will be vendors, pet photography, and more! Meet pets who are available for adoption from Asheville Humane Society.

Event date(s):

Oct 30, 2010 at 01:00 PM

Dirty Dancing Festival this Weekend

If you love the movie "Dirty Dancing" and let's face it, who doesn't. This weekend is just for you.

Starting Friday, September 17th and running through Saturday, September 18th. Lake Lure is all about Dirty Dancing. Events include a lakeside screening of "Dirty Dancing", live music, a cast and crew storyteller session with audience Q&A and more.

For a complete list of events and schedule go to: www.dirtydancingfestival.com.

Need a place to stay? Sadie's Retreat is in the middle of this weekend's activities. Visit: www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com.

Eco-Friendly Fall Adventures

Smart Tours

Many local tour operations have taken steps toward sustainability. Fueled by biodiesel, historical tour LaZoom blends comedy, music and colorful theatrics for guests of all ages. Relax, guilt-free, on a bicycle-drawn rickshaw as you cruise downtown, the River Arts District or historic Montford using only muscle power. Consider a Segway tour, rechargeable electric scooters that traverse downtown Asheville, Biltmore and the North Carolina Arboretum.

Read the rest of this article.

Fall Hiking Tips

Asheville’s reputation for natural beauty outdoes itself each year with the passionate colors of autumn. Taking a hike on the mountain trails immerses you in that autumn palette of deep reds, blazing yellows and deepening greens against the open blue sky.

ChiWalking is an Asheville-based company with national reach that promotes injury-free fitness walking to all ages. ChiWalking incorporates movement principles of t'ai chi with walking to create a more fluid, energetic and healthy way to walk and hike. The goal is to make walking an exercise in building a vibrant body, mind and spirit.

Read this rest of this article.

Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Festival

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Festival is a multi-day, multi-venue event staged in and around Cumberland Knob Recreation Area in North Carolina, where Parkway construction began on September 11, 1935.

Read the rest of this article on the Blue Ridge Parkway website.

Asheville Area Fall Color Report

Fall Color Forecast

Happy September! If you’re as excited as we are about fall, you might be wondering when and where the fall color will be the best and brightest this leaf season. The tourism office is working with biologists and fall foliage experts around Western North Carolina for our weekly color reports, starting September 15.

Read the rest of the article on the Explore Asheville website.

Letter from a Satisfied Guest

We were super excited to received this awesome post from a recent guest at Sadie's Retreat. We love to hear from our guests! You can read the post and see the painting that was inspired from her stay and the view from the front porch.

http://beclecto.com/2010/07/view-from-sadies-retreat-in-lake-lure-nc/

Be sure to visit www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com to learn more about Sadie's Retreat, a romantic NC mountain cabin.

Mmmmmm, Beer.

I'm sure that got your attention.

Asheville has been known for many things and now, it’s become the craft-brewing center of the Southeast. The Asheville area is home to around ten micro/craft breweries. On any given day, about 50 local beers can be enjoyed in Asheville, served on draft and in bottles. Tourists regularly travel here to sample and savor Asheville’s beer flavors, ranging from creamy, mild golden ales to robust Belgian-style brews.

Click here to learn more about Asheville's brewing culture.

I-40 is now open

The detour has ended. Travelers can head east and west once again on I-40 through the Great Smoky Mountains. Two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane are now open!

This will help anyone headed to Asheville or Lake Lure and the surrounding areas.

Be sure to check out Sadie's Retreat the next time you are looking for a NC Mountain Vacation.

www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com

President Obama's Trip To Asheville

Asheville and the surrounding area has been the stopping point for 10 U.S. Presidents.

President Obama returned for a weekend visit in April 2010 with the first lady. Prior to their visit, the White House issued the following statement: “The president first visited the Asheville area during the campaign, and he liked it so much that he vowed to take his family there. The president and first lady are planning to spend a quiet weekend enjoying some of the many things this beautiful part of the country has to offer.”

You don't have to have to spend a lot to enjoy time in Lake Lure and Asheville. Vacation rentals like Sadie's Retreat give you all of the comforts of home while being away and can be a better value than a hotel or motel.

Visit www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com for rates, amenities and availability and reserve your dates today.

Asheville Videos

Some videos to get you excited about Lake Lure and Asheville.

All of these are just minutes from Sadie's Retreat.

Spring is HERE!

Spring has finally arrived in Lake Lure. The trees and flowers are beginning to bloom and everything is looking gorgeous! Now is the perfect time to visit Lake Lure, relax and explore the surrounding area.

Go hiking at Chimney Rock park, take a Lake Lure boat tour which gives you a lot of historic information about the area and even the town that is under the lake. There are riding stables and vineyards nearby. Something for everyone.

While there are many places to stay in the area, one of the best ways to vacation in Lake Lure is in a vacation home rental like Sadie's Retreat; a woodsey log cabin in the mountains surrounding Lake Lure. You can learn more about Sadie's Retreat at www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com.

Spring Fashion in Asheville

As nature reinvents itself each spring, we have the tendency to reinvent ourselves . And why not? Spring is the perfect time to revitalize your expression to the world, and Asheville is all about personal expression.

Fashion is a big part of Asheville culture. Load up vintage styles or high-end wearable art at funky boutiques such as Bellagio or Jazzy Giraffe. Catch a fashion show at the nextAsheville HATCHfest, a convergence of luminaries in the world of art and entertainment.

Find new clothes and jewelry in the Asheville, Lake Lure area and stay at Sadie's Retreat when you are visiting.

Act on an Asheville Stage

The first official day of spring, March 20, happens to be the same day as the next No Shame Theater. Presented by the North Carolina Stage Company, it's the underground theater version of "open mic night" with impromptu performances in which anyone can take part. Arrive at 10 p.m. if you want to participate or 11 p.m. if you just want to watch.

If you prefer to stay in the audience, there are a number of places to watch genuine Asheville theater. Upgrade your Asheville experience by saving your ticket stub from participating venues for an Asheville Encore Ticket - a special deal from Biltmore. Asheville Encore Tickets are only available through March 26, so plan your Asheville vacation today!

Find shows and entertainment on the Explore Asheville website and stay at Sadie's Retreat when you are in the Asheville and Lake Lure area.

Spring Bloom Schedule

Believe it or not, the spring equinox is right around the corner. On March 20 the days will be longer than nights. Soon hibernating animals will emerge, birds will return and plants will awaken. Before you know it, new leaves and blooming flowers will paint the mountains with fresh spring colors.

Where can you go to experience sights, sounds and smells of spring? Check out our recommended scenic spring drives. Take a short loop around town or cruise along high mountain ridges.

See the Spring Bloom Schedule on the Explore Asheville website and stay at Sadie's Retreat when you are in the Asheville and Lake Lure area.

Interesting facts about Western North Carolina

I ran across these in a newsletter sent out by the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber.

The most visited National Park lands in the country- the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,

America's longest scenic highway-the Blue Ridge Parkway,

The Southeast's most popular whitewater river – the Nantahala River,

The ancestral homeland of the Cherokee – the Qualla Boundary

America's largest home – Biltmore Estate

The deepest gorge in the Eastern United States – Linville Gore

The highest mountain east of the Mississippi – Mount Mitchell

The first school of forestry in America – the Cradle of Forestry National Historic Site

One of the best bouldering areas in the nation- Rumbling Bald

One of the oldest mountains in North America – Grandfather Mountain

An internationally known ecological, permaculture community -Earth Haven

One of the world's most beautiful lakes-Lake Lure.

One our nations great biodiversity regions - the Hickory Nut Gorge.

A national top 10 scenic highway-Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway

Just wanted to share these.
Sign up for the Hickory Nut Gorge Newsletter

Be sure to contact Vacation Rentals by Sadie for your WNC vacation home needs.

Biltmore Estate Video

We know Christmas is past but it's always nice to see the beautiful Biltmore Estate at Christmastime.

It's Snowtime in the NC Mountains!

The snow is here and it's time to strap your skis on and hit the slopes. But for lots of people this winter cash is a little tight. A great idea is to go skiing at your favorite WNC slope but forgo the expense of the pricey resorts.

Instead, stay in Lake Lure, NC. It's just a quick jaunt from many WNC resorts. Vacation cabins like Sadie's Retreat by www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com is a great alternative. It's cozy, you are away from the crowds and is a great value. All you need is your clothes, your skis and some food.

Guide to visiting Lake Lure and Asheville.

The Official 2010 Asheville Visitor Guide can help you plan on getting out and seeing some sights.

It features: What to Do, Where to Stay, Where to Shop, Where to Eat, and a 2010 Calendar of Events.

Another great idea is instead of staying right in Asheville, save some money and stay right next door in Lake Lure. Renting vacation cabins, such as Sadie's Retreat, offered by www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com are a great alternative.

You can get the visitor guide here.

Winter Romance Ideas

Want to rekindle the romance in your relationship? Here are some quick tips to help:

1. Get Out! Getting away from the normal day-to-day can help. Get out of town, it doesn't have to be far. Towns like Lake Lure, NC offer peace and quiet while being within a few hours of major cities. Get a little cabin in the mountains. Sites like www.vacationrentalsbysadie.com offer modern living in a remote setting.

2. Stay In! Turn off the TV, computer and phones. Talk. Read. Play board games. Spend some quality time together.

Just a couple tips to help warm things up this winter.

Asheville To Dos 1/8/2010 - 1/10/2010

ZOSO - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience

In 1995, Zoso was formed to create the most mesmerizing and accurate portrayal of "the biggest band of the 1970’s" - Led Zeppelin (Rolling Stone Magazine). Each member was selected to portray both the appearance and playing styles of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones. Zoso almost immediately developed an outstanding regional reputation and were awarded "Best Tribute Act in California" by Rock City News. In 1999, Zoso began touring nationally, playing a remarkable 2,400 live performances, honing their show to become one of the most musically and visually rewarding acts in North America. Their passion, musical ability, showmanship and precise attention to detail earned them critical acclaim, name recognition and a large loyal following. The Los Angeles Times hailed the group as being "head and shoulders above all other Zeppelin tributes," and the Chicago Sun-Times declared Zoso to be "the closest to the original of any tribute."

Event date(s):

Jan 09, 2010 at 08:00 PM

Super Science Saturday

Experiment with science during Super Science Saturdays! Featuring hands-on activities led by our museum facilitators, these programs are sure to be fun for all ages! For specific activity descriptions or for more information, please visit www.thehealthadventure.org.

Event date(s):

Jan 09, 2010 at 12:00 PM

Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary

2010 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Join an extraordinary journey through the stories of this remarkable route and the region through which it passes. Discover the opportunities the 75th Anniversary presents! This yearlong celebration will include events all along the 469-miles of the parkway, from Virginia to North Carolina. Check the Web site often as new events are added.

Event date(s):

Jan 01, 2010 to Dec 31, 2010

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