Experience the living heritage of arts and crafts in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Explore the Blue Ridge Craft Trail to find local, handmade artwork in galleries and studios across the region, including work by Cherokee artists. Or follow the Appalachian Mural Trail to learn about the history and culture of the region as told through public art.

Take part in the long tradition of gingerbread houses at Omni Grove Park Inn. Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition has brought the magic of the holiday season to the resort for over three decades. The creative and edible entries are on display for several weeks between November and December, and the beloved contest has been featured on news broadcasts across the country.

Learn about the flora and fauna of North Carolina. Hike the Botanical Gardens At Asheville, a half-mile trail meandering through gardens that feature over six hundred species of Appalachian plants. Or tour the Western North Carolina Nature Center, a zoo specializing in the wildlife of the Appalachian region.