Absolute five-star experience. Definitely a little bit out there but we went on a Saturday early…read moreSeptember and it wasn't too bad. They do apple picking on the hour most days. It's all listed online and very user-friendly. We showed up around 1130 and wandered around. Picked apples at noon. Then had some live music at one. Very well planned and I'm proud of the way we did it. If you're driving from Asheville, old fort is a great stopping point. We got cinnamon rolls on the way there and Hillman on the way back. It did look like this Orchard had some very affordable barbecue on site. Tons of snacks in the gift shop too. The parking lot was pretty big and they have extra parking. The staff was super kind. I love that it's a nonprofit and there's tons of educational pieces. You will find a bunch of maps and other displays. They have a bee and caterpillar to stay for kids and adults alike. The gift shop. Also both a lot of local crafts like candles, ciders, and honey. No drinking on site. The apple picking is around back. You can get a little bag or two sizes of a basket. We opted for the bag because there is no reason for us to keep a basket around. For eight dollars it's all very affordable. It got us about 12 big apples. The trees are well marked. For picking. It is lots of space for wandering. Definitely not in the shade so it's pretty hot. For me, I really like the extra things that this place had. Cornhole, checkers, Jenga... They usually have bands on the weekend too.

My husband, our 8 year old daughter and I were excited to head up to the orchard at Alta pass…read moreyesterday! We've been apple picking at a couple of the orchards to the south of Asheville, and wanted to check out this nonprofit orchard near Spruce Pine. When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised to see that the crowd was reasonably sized, and we could walk around without feeling pushed and prodded. But the pleasant surprise ended there. We headed around back where we purchased two buckets for apple picking at $15/each. They were small buckets that could fit, we were told, 4-5 lbs of apples each. Okay, fine. But it was not until after purchasing the buckets that we were placed into a very touristy feeling group, and told that we'd be picking "these small and ugly (..."but delicious!") green apples. Huh? No one is going apple picking for just green apples. Are you kidding? The guide proceeded to inform us that as we walk through the orchard we absolutely, positively, should not pick the red apples because they "aren't ready and will most certainly give you a tummy ache". What?!?! Okay....still on board but feeling a little less excited. Then we start to walk toward the orchard. With a giant group of people. At a veeeerrrryyyy slow pace. And then we have to wait on a few stragglers. Seriously excruciating by this point. Finally, as we get to the orchard, the guide tells us to look for the trees with pink ties on them, an ONLY those trees. In fact, pay no mind to the beautiful red apples surrounding you on all other sides - they are not ready! No matter how they look, do NOT eat those apples! But then we are off and looking for the promised green apples....which I kid you not are almost completely picked over! My 6'5 husband could barely reach the apples, and definitely not me or my eight year old - we can only watch in horror as our husband/father scavenges the tops of the trees for "ugly but delicious green apples" on the trees to our right, while simultaneously trying to ignore the beautiful red apples on the trees to our left. I seriously felt like Eve in the garden of Eden..... And then, we noticed that everyone else in our group was feeling the same way. Then one daring person took a red apple off a tree and took a big, juicy bite from it. Gasp! I thought we'd all be wearing fig leaves and trying to hide from one another in the next instant. But lo and behold....no tummy ache. Just confirmation that the red apples were, in fact, ready to be picked (and further confirmed by the mounds of ripe, red apples also falling from those trees). The whole thing was ridiculous, and by the time we headed out of the orchard it was a big joke. Everyone was picking the red apples and putting them on the bottom of their baskets, and placing a few green apples over the red ones in hopes of looking less guilty. We all concluded that they just wanted to get the ugly but delicious green apples out of the orchard. On the way in/out of the orchard there is a cute little building that is a "cafe". We were excited to try the pulled pork with apple bbq sauce, and some fresh homemade cider! But yet again, when there was an opportunity for this place to shine, it was a huge let down. We ordered an apple cider and a green apple lemonade, which also sounded like it had the potential to be delicious because it MUST be made with ugly but delicious green apples from the orchard! Nope. It was Country Time at best, with a couple shots of Torani Green Apple syrup splashed in the bottom. The pulled pork was gross (though, granted, in this area we have high standards for pulled pork), and not cooked in the bbq sauce but rather placed on the bun and then a little sauce was ladled onto the meat, leaving the bun wet and soggy. The apple cider was apple juice, probably from Ingles. By this point, while we had planned to go purchase some goods inside, we were done. This business has SO MUCH POTENTIAL. The setting is bucolic, and the weather was perfect. I don't know who is running it, but since it's a nonprofit I took a look at their 990 and it seems like they are probably just too dependent on a volunteer board. I don't know, but I think this could be a true gem up in this area. Unfortunately, it just falls short. We'll see how my apple crisp turns out - I'll try to update my review when I find out.

Celebrated a 60th birthday here and the reason behind this being the location is super cool. My…read moreboyfriend's sister's wedding was supposed to be at the Country Club of Asheville and it was cancelled due to Covid. They still allowed them to use the space the following year being this year so we celebrated his mom's 60th. I'm so happy we used the space in December because the Christmas decor was BEAUTIFUL. The photos don't even do it justice! Food was also phenomenal. We got options of steak or salmon and I chose salmon. It was perfectly flavored and the scallops on the side were so cheesy, flaky, soft, and delicious. I also tried the steak and it had gravy on top so it reminded me more of deer meat and I wasn't blown away by it, however it was good. The dessert was chocolate molten lava cake with strawberry on the side and just trust me when I say it was the best dessert of my life. It was so rich so there was no way I could have finished it without feeling sick so I only ate half. My favorite part about the cake is that the top was hard and crusted and the second you go to take a bite, you find the soft center with the chocolate lava that spills out. How I imagine the sweets in heaven lol. The service was incredible and so were the drinks. I ordered a moscow mule and it was good. I also got a mojito and I'm so used to places telling me they are out of mint so I was surprised when I ordered it and they had all the ingredients. It was super well made and tasted great. Such a nice place for a birthday celebration and I bet the weddings here are nothing short of perfection. The location, view, staff, food, etc. is all incredible. I hope I have a reason to come back here one day!

The Country Club of Asheville perfectly combines the truth of Southern Hospitality and the practice…read moreof Superior Service for an unforgettable experience. Enjoy mountain views, a cool afternoon breeze, and a beautifully manicured professional tier golf and tennis facility. This will make your new home away from home an indulgence to smile about on a daily basis. Cheers, you deserve it.

The club is situated on beautiful property and the facilities are fantastic. I found the staff and…read moreparticularly the management inhospitable and arrogant. As a visitor to many country clubs in the last 40 years, I found this club to have done the unthinkable; actually be worse than the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh NC. I previously thought the club in Raleigh would never be surpassed for sheer unprofessionalism and stupidity, but these guys have snatched the trophy from the arms of the imbecilic. I hope at some point the membership realize the sub-quality of the management there and replace with kind, thoughtful and helpful professionals. Along with the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, I will never be apart of any event at the Biltmore Forest Country Club again. Mark

Best old school country club in town. This is Biltmore Forests main community attraction!…read more I dont golf but who doesnt love the scenery of an 18 hole course w big sky Asheville views. 'Lunch at the club' is great! My in laws live here and wife grew up around the club. Last time i was here they pointed out where actress Andie McDowell used to live. love Groundhogs Day!

If I could give 10 stars. i would!! Where do I start?? Beginning with them being super…read moreaccommodating for the check in to making sure even the tiniest detail was there. The breakfast was a perfect time with the perfect food. The love for the animals is apparent with Suzanne and Rudi, the owners.I travel frequently and this bed and breakfast was the cleanest and most relaxing one i have experienced. im so sorry it is not closer to where I live. Totally worth the 6 hour drive. The owners could not gave been more gracious!!!! Please support them if you are in the area of Naples, NY!

This is the cleanest, most relaxing place we've ever stayed. We enjoyed everything about it from…read morethe room to the scenery to the amazing gourmet breakfast, the private hot tub and not to be forgotten the cow & Horse cuddling experience! Oh my goodness this place is like heaven on earth! Even the shower head was strong and the water temperatures were perfect. If you want a clean, health conscious retreat that fills your soul this is a must stay B&B!

True to the name of the store, unique pottery lines the walls and a back room has lotion candles…read more The building itself has classic country lines and a genuine tin ceiling. Browsing here is a one of a kind experience.

I totally love this place!! I've visited every year for probably the last 5+ years. It's a fun…read moreand unique shop with changing display of arts, crafts, woodworking, ceramics, jewelry, to whimsical pieces etc ... all from local artists. Prices vary from very affordable to what you might expect to pay for a true art piece. It's so worth the visit if you're in the area, you won't regret it!

Really nice history museum in downtown Black Mountain. This museum has 2 floors and full of…read morehistory. Pictures of early Black Mountain and actual items from over 100 years ago. Everything is spotless and artifacts are in excellent condition. Free admission, but donations are accepted. They also sell shirts and hats.

The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center is located in downtown Black Mountain and is inside…read morethe 1921 Fire House. The museum is free to visit but donations are accepted. You either need to park on the street or in one of the city parking lots. When I first walked in, to your left is a Blue Ridge Mountain display so you can see where you have been driving on the parkway. The two story museum does have a lift to take those that need assistance to the second floor. Once you are at the top of the second floor, you will see the Seven Sisters from the window. The second floor focuses on the people of Swannanoa Valley region. It has a nice collection of exhibits and artifacts from the arts to business to medical to everyday life. There is a blanket from Beacon Blankets, a textile company that was the largest blanket maker in the world. I didn't expect to see a voting machine. It covers both the positive and negative history of the area. I am planning a return trip to explore this museum much more.

If you like old cars, you should definitely check out this museum. They have a bunch of historic…read morecars with little write-ups. There's an antique firetruck in the back, which kids can climb on and take pics. We also took a nice walk. The area where this museum is also has some nice trees and sculptures, which you can tack onto your visit.

The Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum is located in Grovewood Village. There is a free parking lot…read morenearby, and admission to the museum is also free, although they do accept donations. The museum is inside what was once the Biltmore Industries weaving shop. The building was constructed in 1923 and had about 40 weaving looms inside. The building is mostly ADA accessible; the back section does have some stairs. But you can still see those vehicles from up above if you don't use the stairs. The museum has vehicles from Harry D. Bloomburg's collection. He founded the museum in 1966 to share the antique cars with the public. His vehicles are in great condition. The 1957 Classic Eldorado is one of the rarer vehicles, as it is one of 400 made. There is a restored 1922 fire truck that had been in service in Asheville. Besides the different cars, there is a horse-drawn carriage, a motorcycle, and a moonshine still. It is a nice museum to explore.