mardi 29 novembre 2016

Choose Asheville NC Inns And Experience A Different Side Of America

By Kimberly Walker


More and more travelers are discovering America's smaller cities. Many of these destinations are just compact enough not to be overwhelming but they still offer a great variety of things to do. They also tend to be much more affordable than more famous cities like New York or San Francisco. For the price of a basic hotel room in Manhattan, for instance, you can stay in one of the charming Asheville NC inns and explore one of America's hidden jewels.

Asheville is located a little over 130 miles to the northwest of Charlotte and some 200 miles northeast of Atlanta. This charming city was built in western North Carolina, where the Swannanoa River flows into the French Broad River. To the east you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains and to the west lie the Great Smoky Mountains.

The first inhabitants of the area were of the Cherokee nation. In the 1780s, people of European ancestry started settling here too and the town of Asheville was named in 1797. It got its name from Samuel Ashe, who was governor of North Carolina in those days. When the railways reached the little town in the last two decades of the 19th century, bringing industry with them, the local population rapidly increased.

The Great Depression hit the area very hard and the economy didn't show much growth until about fifty years later. However, the economic stagnation meant that there wasn't much new construction going on and today Asheville is famous for its Art Deco buildings. The city has also become a haven for hippies and artists, with many spas, unique stores, small independent breweries, theaters, music venues and art galleries.

The breathtaking natural scenery of the area means that there are many ways to be active in the great outdoors too. National forests and parks like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are close enough for a day trip and you'll also find many hiking and biking trails to explore. You can try your hand at adventure sports too and after a busy day, you may want to relax at one of the local spas.

Asheville plays host to many different events and festivals during the year. The food, craft beer and arts festivals are very popular and sports enthusiasts also come from all over to attend the Mountain Sports Festival every May. The sounds of fiddles and banjos can be heard at any of a number of festivals showcasing the folk music of the Appalachian region.

Any time of the year is a great time to visit the region with its mild climate. Summers are humid and warm but not unbearably hot. In winter you may experience some snow but not nearly as much as destinations further north. In fall, the colors of the foliage rival those of New England but temperatures are much more pleasant.

You can fly in from several larger cities, since Asheville has its own airport. However, it's well worth considering driving or taking the bus so you can appreciate the beautiful mountain scenery. Once you've arrived, you'll find a variety of accommodation options, including lovely mansions from the Victorian era that have been converted into inns.




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