Follow the Cheese

Tired of Fall Leaves? 🍂🍂🍂

Said no one EVER.

In the Blue Ridge Mountains, this is OUR season.  Cooler temps, changing of leaves to yellows and oranges and of course, many many activities!  Your mountain escape awaits. Immerse yourself in the rich history and warm hospitality of our charming Bed and Breakfasts. Each of our 16 members offers a unique experience from various areas in and around Asheville.  Sit back and relax because this month's blog is chock full of fabulous itineraries.

Day 1: Breakfast and Cheese... the WNC Cheese Trail

You know what's great about being an adult? Breakfast without waiting.  Don't waste time in line! Enjoy a gourmet breakfast with no lines at one of our member B&Bs.  Then pack it up and journey through some of the most charming farms and creameries in Western North Carolina along the WNC Cheese Trail.  From artisanal cheese makers to family-owned dairy farms, this trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and flavors of the region.  Some of our favorite stops along the cheese trail:

• Hickory Nut Gap Farm - This isn't just a farm producing local cured & smoked meats. There's a shop, great fall events and farm animals to pet! The farm sits just at the base of US Hwy 74, just as you ascend up toward Lake Lure.  Grab and go on your way to the public beach at Lake Lure.
• Looking Glass Creamery - Offers a wide variety of very well-made artisan cheese flavors
• Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery - For cave aged blue cheeses.
• Round Mountain Creamery - For goat cheese lovers

Day 2: A nook, a book and a Tour

Enjoy morning to yourself? Find a relaxing spot, grab a book (or your phone) in one of our cozy nooks, then enjoy one of these tour excursions.  Adulting is all about discovering the art of art, the community in wine and of course, enjoying comedy on a bus. We love our hiking but we have fabulous tours also:

• Experience farm life in Western North Carolina! ASAP’s annual Farm Tour takes place Sept. 23-24, 2023, from 12-5 p.m. both days.  FREE PASS ALERT: Member, Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast is a sponsor. Stay at any member B&B and get your free pass.  Don't delay!  Only 10 free passes are available; otherwise tickets are $35-$45/carload.
• Asheville Wine Tours offers a unique and immersive experience that combines the love for great wines with the stunning landscapes of Western North Carolina.
• Like no other tour, LaZoom City Tours in Asheville delivers belly laughs like no other. Book a City Tour, Haunter Tour, or if you are a beer & music lover, book a Band and Beer tour.
• The River Arts District along the French Broad River. Check out RAD Foundation, LOTS of rt galleries, walkable greenways, several breweries, unique cafe’s, eclectic goods, antiques and more…
  • Rent an E-bike from The Flying Bike and cruise from gallery to gallery at your own pace.
  • Asheville Art Tours let a local artist take you through some of Asheville’s most renowned galleries, hear the details behind the work and listen to how & why the art scene here in WNC is thriving like no other.

Day 3: Porches and Day Tripping

Our historic Bed & Breakfast members have the perfect porches to enjoy the cooler temps especially after a day full of discovery.  Here's a run down of events that will take you all day from Weaverville, Hendersonville, South Asheville and downtown Asheville.

• BILTMORE DEAL ALERT:  Many members of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association are Biltmore Estate Partners. Now through September 30th, Biltmore Tickets include a second day Gardens & Grounds ticket plus Italian Renaissance.  Better yet, Partner tickets (through participating B&Bs) are $8 less than ordering on Biltmore.com.  Click here for details.
• Sept 1 - 4 (free): Apples, Cider, and More Apples! Go to the 76th annual  NC Apple Festival in downtown Hendersonville happening labor day weekend. Really love apples? Pick your own at one Henderson County’s bountiful apple orchards.
• Sept 7 - 10 (ticketed): Food, food, food festival known as Chow Chow in downtown Asheville. Tickets or want to browse the workshops and classes or main event, go here.
• Sept 9 - 10 (free): For the art-goers, handmade crafts, furniture & more, check out the 51st Annual Village Art & Craft Fair  in Biltmore Village at the historic All Souls Cathedral.
• Sept 16 (free): 16th annual Art in Autumn, downtown Weaverville, features over 100 artists and craftspeople making this one of the main events of the year for this small town.
• Now thru Sept 22: Be sure to check out Arbor Evenings - Sip & Stroll with Wine at The North Carolina Arboretum. This hidden gem located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway features botanically-diverse plants, hiking trails, special exhibits, workshops and even an onsite café.  After a full day of exploring, then sit down and enjoy some wine with light music at Arbor Evenings.
• Now thru Sept 30 (free): Look up! Go birding with the locals at Lake Julian Park in South Asheville. Easy drive off I-26.

We hope you enjoyed the special spaces and places our members offer along with these autumn and fall activities with you in mind.