Things to Do
From horse country to mountain trails, river lakes, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Looking for something to do on your trip to Western North Carolina? These charming and scenic little towns, and the wealth of attractions and opportunities they provide, should definitely be on the list. No vacation to Western NC is complete without a local tour.
Equestrian Culture
Tryon Equestrian Center is the premiere equestrian facility of Western North Carolina. It's the epicenter of horse culture in Tryon: block parties, movie nights, meet-and-greets, and horse shows and events. It is home to the American Eventing Championships, which brings participants from across the nation to compete in events for all skill levels. It also offers additional tournaments and shows for Dressage, hunter, show jumping, Pony Club, cross country, and more. It's even a one-stop entertainment facility complete with on-site local restaurants, boutiques, and shops. And for those that need a place to keep a horse, they offer premiere stabling services and pastures.
Learn more about the Tryon Equestrian Center, or other top facilities in the area, including the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, the Tryon Equine Hospital, and Green Creek Equestrian Park.
Local Wineries and Vineyards
The rolling countryside along the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the perfect location for NC vineyards. Located in the isothermal belt, the Foothills are home to fertile land protected from harsh weather by the mountains. With delicious wine made from local grapes and the backdrop of the mountains, these local wineries and vineyards are worth an afternoon.
Burntshirt Vineyards
2695 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville, NC. Also check out the Tasting Room in Chimney Rock.
Biltmore Winery
1 Winery Rd, Asheville, NC
Green Creek Winery
413 Gilbert Rd, Columbus, NC
Mountain Brook Vineyards
731 Phillips Dairy Rd, Tryon, NC
Overmountain Vineyards
2014 Sandy Plains Rd, Tryon, NC
Parker-Binns Vineyard
7382 E NC 108 Hwy, Mill Spring, NC
Russian Chapel Hills Winery
2662 Green Creek Dr, Columbus, NC
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville, NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds 469.1 miles from Cherokee in southwestern North Carolina through the rolling hills and mountains of Southern Appalachia to central Virginia. It is renowned for its mountain vistas, brilliant wildlife viewing, rich cultural history, and wealth of recreational opportunities, and draws thousands of motorists, motorcyclists, bikers, hikers, campers, and more each and every year. It's not just about the views at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hundreds of miles of possibility await.
Explore Small-Town Charm
Take a day trip to antique shop and explore the small towns of Western North Carolina. Chock full of great places to eat and explore local craftsmanship, this area has dozens of small towns to discover like Hendersonville, Saluda, Waynesville, and Black Mountain.
Lake Lure and Chimney Rock
Enjoy summer days out on Lake Lure. Rent a pontoon boat for a sunset cruise or a ski boat to enjoy all the lake has to offer. If something on dry land is more your speed, explore the charming town of Chimney Rock and take a tour of Chimney Rock State Park.
Hiking
The area of Western North Carolina has hundreds of trails for you to explore. Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway are great places to start. There are also local trails in Saluda, Lake Lure, and Tryon for all levels of hikers.
