An Asheville Ghost Story

Blogger superstar Ashvegas shared this spooky video on his web site this morning. It’s too ghostly good to keep under wraps this Halloween Eve. (Made my skin crawl!) Check out paranormal activity at an Asheville-area high school. Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out Asheville’s Halloween festivities.

Asheville's Holiday Fun Includes Seasonal Sizzle

Add a little sugar and spice to your holiday with Asheville’s Seasonal Sizzle at Seven. Beginning December 5, Asheville will host 19 days of not-so-silent nights. Make downtown Asheville your official Christmas stop on weekends in December to enjoy:

• Fireworks on December 5, 12 and 19 beginning at 7 p.m. Fireworks will be choreographed to Christmas music on local radio, and Asheville’s famed Art Deco buildings will be lit with colorful multi-media projections.
• Saturdays with Santa in Pritchard Park on December 5, 12 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• A new, old-fashioned Christmas. Carolers and roving performers will stroll through downtown and entertain holiday shoppers on December 5, 12 and 19.
• Special evening shopping hours at downtown boutiques and galleries on December 5, 12 and 19
• The Big Crafty holiday shopping fair at the Asheville Art Museum on December 6 from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

Navigate Around I-40 Rockslide to Asheville

A rockslide has temporarily affected I-40 along the North Carolina and Tennessee border, but Asheville is still easily accessed from Tennessee thanks to the I-26 scenic highway. This stretch of highway is more than just a convenient detour; it’s a gorgeous drive through the heart of the mountains.

Enjoy a Beautiful Drive
Two strategically scenic overlooks offer sweeping views of Madison County, stunning fall foliage and Mount Mitchell. Plus, the NC Welcome Center is more than just a rest stop. It offers travel information, exhibits related to mountain life and displays of local arts and crafts.

Detour Directions to I-26 Scenic Highway
Those traveling I-40 East from Tennessee should take I-81 North to Johnson City, then I-26 East to Asheville. This route adds only 50 minutes of travel time to your journey.

Get a map and more alternative travel routes.

Halloween Fun in Asheville

Halloween is just a week away, and Asheville is filled with spooky fun for all ages. Check out our Halloween events and activities:

Only-in Asheville Halloween Fun
• “The Legend of Tommy Hodges” walking outdoor mystery, October 23 and 24
• LaZoom Haunted Halloween Bus, October 29-31
• “Skeered,” an Evening of Local Ghost Stories, October 29-31
• Appalachian Ghost Stories Beneath the Stars, October 30
• Appalachian Mountain Mysteries, October 30
• Spirits of Asheville Masquerade, October 31
• Haunted History & Murder Mystery Ghost Trolley Tour
• Haunted Asheville Pub Crawl
• Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour
• Haunted Asheville Trolley Tour
• Haunted Biltmore Biltmore Village Tour

Family Friendly Halloween Events
• Halloween Dog Event, October 24
• Howl-O-Ween at the WNC Nature Center, October 24
• Harvest Hoe Down, October 31
• Cold Mountain Corn Maze, open through October 31
• Castle in the Corn Maze, open through October 31
• Blue Ridge Corn Maze, open through November until harvest

Grown-Up Halloween Fun
• Pinhead’s Graveyard through November 1
• The Woman in Black at Flat Rock Playhouse through November 1
• Screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with the Montford Park Players, October 24 and 31
• Screamfest at the Grove House, October 27-November 1
• Graveyard Book Party at Malaprop’s Bookstore, October 31

Bonsai Trees at NC Arboretum Show Fall Color First

Experience fall on a different level with the bonsai trees at the North Carolina Arboretum. The leaves on these living masterpieces turn early because they are potted plants. The potting soil loses more heat at night, and the roots are exposed to lower temperatures. This produces the ideal condition for fall color.

Visit this weekend, and you’ll see the bonsai trees in full color plus a range of hues from the surrounding maples, European beeches and hornbeams in the Arboretum’s garden.

Looking for more fall color? Check out this week’s fall color report for the inside scoop on fall foliage, suggested hikes and scenic drives.

Dine on Catfish at The Lobster Trap Tonight

Tonight is the big night for The Lobster Trap’s Catfish Supper. Local fisherman Eddie Kiefer caught nine catfish this morning, so there is room for 24 guests at The Lobster Trap. Supper begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are limited; call 828-350-0505 to reserve your spot.

Local Catfish Supper Menu

First Course
Shrimp Spring Roll
Curried Sweet Potato & Lobster

Main Course
Vietnamese-style Steamed Catfish Pho
Henderson County Pond-raised Catfish Steamed Vietnamese-style with Rice Noodles and Traditional Garnishes

Dessert
Sweet Coconut Rice Pudding

Cost
$30 per person; plus tax and gratuity

A Different Kind of Balloon Boy

Who needs the media hype around Balloon Boy? Especially when you can have a bon-a-fide fall adventure in Asheville, NC with a hot air balloon ride. It’s a wonderful way to see the fall foliage and enjoy panoramic mountain views.

See Local Wildlife at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Looking for an offbeat fall adventure? Check out the elk herd at Cataloochee Valley, part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Now is the breeding season for elk, so visitors can see and hear the males “bugling,” the distinct call they use to lure females and warn other males.

The herd at Cataloochee consists of 110 elk. The elk were reintroduced into the park in 2001, after being absent for more than a century.

Image courtesy of John Brandow-NPS

Fall Color in Asheville, NC

We hit the roads with a film crew this week to capture some of the gorgeous fall color in and around Asheville. (And this is authentic fall color, folks. No post-production tinkering with the footage around here!) Enjoy a desktop vacation with this clip, and then start planning your visit. We’ve got the scoop on where the fall color is with our weekly report.

Minor Detour on Parkway for Fall Leaf Peepers

Yesterday, Blue Ridge Parkway officials temporarily closed a small section of the road approaching Mt. Pisgah. The closure was a precautionary measure; officials feared the slope might slide due to recent rainfall.The Parkway is closed from Milepost 393.6 at the French Broad River junction to Milepost 405.5 near the Pisgah Campground Country Store.

The remainder of the Parkway is still open and accessible for enjoying the fall foliage in and around Asheville. Check out our weekly fall color report for suggestions on great fall drives this week.

Suggested Parkway Detour Route for Southbound Traffic
After crossing the French Broad River Bridge, turn right onto Parkway ramp. Follow the ramp to the traffic light, and turn right onto NC Route 191. Continue on NC Route 191, and then turn right on NC Route 280. Stay on NC Route 280, and then turn right onto US Route 276. At the top of the mountain, turn right onto the Parkway ramp. For the Pisgah Inn, turn right. To continue south on the Parkway, turn left.

Signs Go Up at Hotel Indigo in Asheville

Asheville’s newest hotel, Hotel Indigo, gets one step closer to completion. The hotel’s signs were delivered and hung on Monday, October 12. The hotel, conveniently located in the heart of downtown, will open its doors to Asheville guests on November 3.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Asheville

We received a welcome distraction in the office this morning, when a hot air balloon decided to take a journey over Asheville. We watched his progress over the skyline and snapped this beautiful fall shot.

Asheville Appears on “The Price Is Right”

We were pleased as punch when we got word that a getaway to Asheville, NC was featured in Monday’s episode of “The Price is Right.” Who doesn’t love the over-the-top enthusiasm of the show? Get caught up in the bidding war as Kelly names her bid for an Asheville getaway.

Friday Fun Kicks off Fall in Asheville

It’s the first Friday in October and downtown Asheville is THE place to be tonight.

Get Help Planning Your Evening
Asheville Downtown docents will be out across downtown. These knowledgeable Asheville residents are happy to point you in the right direction to fun shopping and great dining. Spot the Downtown Docents by looking for their shopping bags with the Asheville Downtown Association logo and leaf wands.

Immerse Yourself in Asheville’s Art Scene
Asheville’s downtown art galleries open their doors for the final Gallery Walk of the season from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stroll through the heart of downtown to admire the talents of local and regional artists. Pick up a free Downtown Gallery Guide at the Visitors Center for a map of participating galleries.

Enjoy Live Music at the Grove Arcade
The historic Grove Arcade marks the beginning of the weekend with “First Friday” at 5 p.m. Enjoy live music from the Rockefellers, food and drinks until 8 p.m. Cover to the event is as affordable as a $1 donation.