Hunger Games Actors Loved Asheville

Check out this video from CNN. The actors from The Hunger Games sound off on what they loved most about Asheville. The Godzilla Roll they reference can be found at Wasabi in downtown Asheville.

Watch our behind the scenes video for your chance to win a vacation to Asheville!

Festiva Biltmore Village

Festiva Biltmore Village Offers New Luxury Vacation Condos.

Festiva Resorts announced this week that they would be assuming ownership of the Biltmore Village Villas and will offer luxury condo rentals to Asheville travelers. Based on the photos below, this appears to be a gorgeous place to stay in Biltmore Village. Visit their website to check availability.

Da Bears

Photos of the Day: Three bears were spotted in an Asheville neighborhood, near the Grove Park Inn. Brenda deLaet captured these photos of a mama and her two grown cubs in her backyard. This trio "bares" resemblance to a family that visited her house last year. Check out her blog, A Scratch Behind the Ears, to see more photos from each encounter.

Are you bear aware? Check out these bear safety tips.

Submit your photos for consideration in our Photo of the Day series. Email your pics to dholston@exploreasheville.com

Attracting Butterflies, Birds and Bees

Chimney Rock Park Offers How-To Workshop For Building Backyard Habitats.

Learn how to make your backyard a habitat for butterflies, birds and bees at a how-to workshop being hosted by Chimney Rock Park this Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 9AM until noon.

Here's the full release...

Why are butterflies, birds and bees attracted to some plants more than others? Did you know native plants are up to four times more attractive to bees than non-natives? Join expert Ron Hoover of Plant Wise Solutions to learn how to identify the best host and support plants to get your backyard or butterfly garden darting and buzzing with activity! Appropriate for all ages (6+) and levels of experience.

Cost: $27 for Adults, $15 for Annual Passholders, $20 for Youth (ages 6-15), $12 for Grady’s Kids Club Members. Includes Park admission for the day. Registration required at least 3 days in advance.

More Info & to Register or (828) 625-9611

Biltmore Village Fashion Show

Need help planning your spring wardrobe? Stop by the Doubletree Biltmore Hotel in Asheville this Thursday, March 29, for a spring fashion show, hosted by the shops at Biltmore Village. The event is $10 per person and proceeds benefit Beauty Through Cancer.

Keigwin + Company

One of the Nation's Hottest Dance Groups Take Center Stage in Asheville.

Keigwin + Company Dancers. Image Source

An electrifying brand of contemporary dance will take the stage at the Diana Wortham Theatre (DWT) this weekend, March 30 - 31, 2012, starting at 8:00 PM. Keigwin + Company are a critically acclaimed dance group out of New York City, and have performed to audiences across the globe.

From the DWT website...

"A knockout fusion of pop culture and high art. The smart, sexy, and entertaining works of Larry Keigwin gorgeously blend contemporary dance and cabaret flare with the verve of New York Fashion Week and MTV. The New York Times has called this provocative and engaging company “witty, kinetic and musically responsive” and “a parcel of pure explosive energy.”Keigwin’s work embodies a theatrical sensibility, overflowing with both style and heart, which has led to rave reviews and invitations to perform at great venues such as the Kennedy Center, Summerdance Santa Barbara, New York City Center, The Joyce Theater, the American Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival, and now Asheville."

Tickets are $35, Student $30. More info here.

Foodtopian Spotlight: Chef Dissen

Chef Dissen To Be Featured at FORTUNE Brainstorm Green Conference.

Congratulations are in order for Chef William Dissen of The Market Place Restaurant in downtown Asheville. He is one of six chefs selected for the prestigious FORTUNE Brainstorm Green conference.

Dissen will prepare his sustainable fare for the annual “Bites and Flights” event at the upcoming 2012 conference. He will be joined by chefs Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill, Los Angeles), Randy Evans (Haven, Houston), Kristofor Lofgren (Bamboo Sushi, Portland), Mark Sullivan (Spruce, San Francisco), & Greg Mosko (North Pond, Chicago).

Each year, FORTUNE magazine convenes leaders in sustainability from business, government, and NGO at Brainstorm Green in Laguna Niguel, CA. The Brainstorm Green community is a diverse cross-section of FORTUNE 500 CEOs, leaders from the environmental movement, senior government officials, and provocative thinkers. Previous participants have included Sir Richard Branson of Virgin, former President Clinton, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, REI CEO Sally Jewell, Wal-Mart’s Lee Scott, and many other leaders and visionaries.

In the past year, Dissen has been awarded “40 Chefs Under 40”, by the Mother Nature Network, and a Seafood Watch Ambassador, by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, for his “green” approach to cuisine and restaurant operations.

Learn more about Chef Dissen.

Actionfest 2012

Actionfest, the film festival with a body count, returns for its third year to Asheville this April 12-15. Considered one of "the world's coolest film festivals" by Moviemaker Magazine, this year's festival will feature stunt shows, panels, parties and of course action movies!  
Learn more.

Flat Rock Playhouse Turns 60

The State Theatre of North Carolina Celebrates 60 Years.

The history of Flat Rock Playhouse can be traced back to the year 1937, when a group of struggling performers came together to form a group called the Vagabond Players. The group traveled to many locations including the Blue Ridge Mountains in the early 1940's and then again after WWII.

In 1952, the group decided to call the mountains their home. They purchased an eight-acre plot of land in Henderson County and the Flat Rock Playhouse was born. In 1961, the NC State General Assembly designated the Playhouse as the Official State Theatre of North Carolina.

Sixty years after they opened the doors, the playhouse continues the tradition of the Vagabond Players with incredible stage shows and educational opportunities to those interested in the world of theatre. Their diamond anniversary season kicks off March 28, 2012, with My Favorite Things: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein

See their full schedule of Mainstage shows.

Hotel Indigo Receives Big Honor

Hotel Indigo Recognized as a J.D. Power 2012 Customer Service Champion

We received word from Asheville's, Hotel Indigo, that their company received a big honor this past week. They were awarded a 2012 Customer Service Champion designation by J.D. Power. 

Asheville's Hotel Indigo is a boutique property offering beautifully appointed rooms with stunning mountain views, fresh farm-to-table menu selections at their OneFiftyOne Boutique Bar and Kitchen, plus they are located right by everything that downtown Asheville offers.

Here's part of the press release regarding the award.

ATLANTA – IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is honored to announce that Hotel Indigo was recognized at the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Roundtable in Orlando, Fla. on March 14, 2012 as a 2012 Customer Service Champion – one of only 50 companies to have earned this distinction this year.

To qualify for inclusion on this elite list, companies must not only excel within their own industry, but also must stand out among leading brands in 20 major industries evaluated by J.D. Power. Among the five factors measured, including People, Presentation, Process, Product, and Price, Hotel Indigo was noted for consistently delivering and often exceeding customer’s expectations and raising the bar for the competition.

Congratulations!

AshevilleNOC Begins

Grove Park Inn and Nantahala Outdoor Center Celebrate Grand Opening.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center's, AshevilleNOC, a new adventure outpost located inside the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, will celebrate it's grand opening this Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Guests will be able to book outdoor adventures and purchase gear from the NOC store while staying at the famed resort. Learn more about what they have to offer here. 

THIS WEEK:

The AshevilleNOC is hosting two learning sessions from world explorer, Andrew Skurka, this Wednesday and Thursday at The Grove Park Inn. Known for blazing new trails across the American frontier, Skurka was designated a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and Outdoor Magazine Adventurer of the Year. He has trekked the entire Appalachian Trail, hiked from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast (8,000 miles!) and completed the Alaskan-Yukon expedition.

On Wednesday, March 21, Skurka will discuss his exploits, and the following Thursday he will provide an informative workshop in backpacking. Learn more about this amazing adventurer here.

Admission to the presentation is $5 for ages 12+ and free for ages 0-11. All proceeds from admission will benefit the Blue Ridge Parkway Association. Doors open at 7PM.

Learn the basics of whitewater kayaking:

Nantahala Outdoor Center's world-class instructors will be conducting a whitewater kayaking course at The Grove Park Inn.  Rated "The Nation's Premier Paddling School" by New York Times, NOC's team of instructors will show you the ropes, whether this is your first time in a kayak or your hundredth. Instructors from NOC, the paddlesports industry leader for over 40 years, will teach you about appropriate gear, paddling techniques, safety, wet exits and more.

The course is taught every Thursday from 7:30-9:30 pm at The Grove Park Inn's Sports and Fitness Complex. This state-of-the-art indoor pool offers a safe and controlled environment for learning and practicing new skills with your instructors.  Ages 10 and up. $40 per person includes 2 hours of instruction and all necessary gear.  For attendees age 10-13, a parent must stay on premises. Reservations can be made by calling the Sports Complex at extension 1046, calling 800.232.7238 or visiting the NOC Asheville store located in the Sammons Wing of The Grove Park Inn.

Bear Sighting!

Photos of the Day: The Merrill family had a couple of visitors in their north Asheville backyard this week. They managed to snap some photos of two foraging bears before they wandered off. They're so cute... from a distance. This sighting is a good reminder to be bear aware.

Submit your photos for consideration in our Photo of the Day series. Email your pics to dholston@exploreasheville.com

6 Ways to Experience The Hunger Games

If you're caught up in buzz surrounding The Hunger Games, then you're not alone. As anticipation builds for the film's release on March 23, people are looking for ways to be a part of the experience. In Asheville, we have six possible ways that you can vacation like a Tribute.

Josh Hutcherson at Navitat

Find yourself walking in the footsteps of your favorite stars as you zip line through scenic mountain canopy, survive a whitewater adventure or forage through the same forest featured throughout the movie.

Learn more...
6 Ways to Experience The Hunger Games.

You can also win a Hunger Games Vacation via our Watch and Win contest!

Eat. Drink. Vote.

The WNC Chefs Challenge Heats Up Asheville's Food Scene.

If you fancy yourself a food critic, then make your reservations now for the WNC Chefs Challenge kicking off next Tuesday, March 20. Every Tuesday through May 22, two leading chefs in Western North Carolina will square off in an "Iron Chef" style competition to win over your taste buds. 

Each competition features a unique secret ingredient, and chefs are tasked with incorporating it into three dishes a piece. Diners are then asked to judge the six dishes based on smell, presentation, best use of the secret ingredient, etc. In true Foodtopian style, the secret ingredient is always locally sourced within a 150 mile radius of Asheville.

The competition culminates in a final battle at the Asheville Wine & Food Festival from August 23-25. Tickets are available here.

Asheville's "Amazing Race"

Urban Scavenger Hunt in Asheville Offers Large Cash Prize


Pine Mountain Adventures is awarding a $1,000 cash prize to the winner of their Metro Chase Urban Scavenger Hunt through downtown Asheville on Saturday, March 24, 2012.

Teams of two will compete in an Amazing-Race-style scavenger hunt across the city to win the main cash prize. There are also prizes for the second and third place teams as well as a prize for best costume.

The cost to enter is $100 per team for early registration and $120 the week of the race. Ages 13 and up are welcome to participate, however one team member must be 18 or older.

Register here!

Best Active Getaway

Asheville Receives 10Besties Readers' Choice Travel Award

Asheville was recently recognized by readers of the travel website, 10Best.com. Asheville placed among the top 10 destinations in the category of Best Active Getaway. 

Here's a snippet from their review of Asheville:

Nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains as if it were a misty figment rather than a stone-and-timber town, Asheville is both a grand gesture and a quiet note. It's the site of Biltmore House, the nation's largest private residence, and it's where folks like actress Andie McDowell come to reinvent themselves and seek a measure of personal camouflage. It's also a town underlain by a steadfast vein of originality, which welcomes alternative thought, revels in a strong music scene, and exhibits an openness that can be unexpected in this corner of the world. Read the full review here.

Learn more about Asheville's Active Getaways!

Waterfall Country

Photo of the Day: This beautiful waterfall shot was sent in by Asheville fan, Meghan Coffey. You can find hundreds of gorgeous waterfalls cascading throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here's a list of our favorite waterfalls to discover near Asheville.

Submit your photo for consideration in our Photo of the Day series. Email your pic to dholston@exploreasheville.com

Discover West African Cuisine - One Night Only

William Dissen

Two award-winning chefs join forces at The Market Place restaurant in downtown Asheville this Wednesday, March 21, starting at 6:30 PM. They will prepare a gourmet, five-course dinner of West African-inspired cuisine.

Chefs William Dissen & Nick Figel (from The Market Place and Cyprus Restaurant respectively) will prepare yam fufu, joliof rice and chicken yassa. The dinner will present inspired interpretations of authentic West African dishes, as well as cocktail creations. A performance of West African drumming and dancing will enhance this cultural evening by the musical talents of Zansa.

Nick Figel - image source

Tickets are $65 (alcohol, tax, and gratuity are additional) and interested diners should call The Market Place in advance at 828-252-4162 to reserve a seat. A credit card is required to hold the reservation.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Asheville-based, 33rd generation Ivorian djembe player and musician Adama Dembele, in an effort to help secure his permanent green card for U.S. citizenship.

Dining Extravaganza in Biltmore Village

Looking for somewhere special to dine this week? Satisfy your appetite with a 10-day dining extravaganza through Asheville's beautiful Biltmore Village district. From today through March 18, you can enjoy 3 courses for $30 at participating restaurants. Reservations are recommended and be sure to tell your server that you're there for Biltmore Village Restaurant Week.

Image Source: BiltmoreVillage.com

Known for it's tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks and eclectic shops, Biltmore Village has a rich history reaching back to the 1890's. Originally it was a planned community at the entrance to George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate. Today, the village is truly one of Asheville's most unique neighborhoods. Shopping is relaxed and enjoyable and the restaurants are top-notch.

Be sure to take advantage of their special dining week at one of these participating restaurants.

• Corner Kitchen
• Ruth's Chris Steak House
• Rezaz Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Neo Cantina
• Red Stag Grill
• Fig Bistro

A Treasure in Downtown Asheville

Photo of the Day: The Grove Arcade is a treasure in downtown Asheville. It offers boutique shopping, unique dining and regional crafts in a downtown architectural wonder. The building is open daily and features an outdoor portico market. 

This beautiful photo courtesy and © Eric Haggart

Constructed in the 1920's, the building was the vision of E.W. Grove, the same man who built the Grove Park Inn. The building was in the hands of the federal government for much of the 1900's and then reopened as a public space in 2002. Find the full history here.

White Lightning Strikes Twice

Asheville Welcomes Its Newest Moonshine Distillery

Chivous Downey, left, and Cody Bradford, founders of Howling Moon distillery
Photo courtesy of John Coutlakis / Asheville Citizen Times

Asheville has held the title of Beer City USA for three years running, but it appears heady brew isn't the only libation seeing growth in the region. The Howling Moon Distillery has become the second legal moonshine producer to open its doors in the mountains. 

With a recipe that can be traced back 150 years and utilizing a traditional moonshine still, Howling Moon is making what it calls, "real moonshine". See the full story in the Asheville Citizen Times.

At 100 proof, the Howling Moon blend certainly packs more of a punch than the moonshine produced by Troy & Sons Distillery (their smooth blend weighs in at 80 proof). Howling Moon has named their shine after Raymond Fairchild, a legendary banjo picker who helped them with the recipe. Currently, their moonshine is only available in the Asheville area, but they hope to expand their operation in time.

Learn more about mountain moonshine's new beginnings.

Watch & Win: Free Hunger Games Survival Getaway

Calling all fans of The Hunger Games! Did you know the Asheville mountains served as the backdrop for the movie's arena scenes? We take you on location in our behind-the-scenes video. Plus we're giving you a chance to win a Hunger Games Survival Getaway. 

One lucky fan will win overnight accommodations in the "Capitol City Wing" of the Doubletree Biltmore Hotel, a Hunger Games knapsack loaded with survival gear and passes for a Navitat Canopy Adventures zip line tour.

Watch and Win! After watching the video, share it with your friends and then answer a question to enter the contest. SPOILER ALERT! Our video describes specific scenes from the movie, so consider yourself warned. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Click here for your chance to win!

Here Comes the Sun!

Photo of the day: Pamela McCown from the AB-Tech Institute for Climate Education snapped this sunrise shot over the Black Mountains. Note where the sun was rising at the time of Winter Solstice. As you can see, the sun is making its way back to the Northern Hemisphere, bringing with it warmer temps and spring flowers.

Photo courtesy of the AB-Tech Institute for Climate Education

Do you want to submit a photo for consideration in our Photo of the Day? Please email the image to dholston@exploreasheville.com

Grove Park Inn Comedy Classic

Two Comedic Heavyweights Headline at Grove Park Inn This Weekend

Tickets are still available for Asheville's largest comedy show of the year. This weekend, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is hosting the 24th annual Comedy Classic Weekend. The event takes place Friday and Saturday nights (March 8-9, 2012) in the Resort's Grand Ballroom. Doors open at 7:15 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. 


Both nights are hosted by actor, comedian, writer and all-around funnyman Jeff Jena. 

Mike Armstrong

• Friday night kicks off with some of the country's top comics including Andrew Kennedy, Rachel Feinstein, Mike Armstrong, Mike Green and Ralph Harris.

You may know Mike Armstrong from his appearances on the "Bob & Tom" radio show. His cop humor paved the way to an appearance in the movie, A League of Their Own and on such high profile TV shows and networks as Oprah, CBS Morning News, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Comedy Central, TNN, NBC and FOX. 

Kathleen Madigan

• Saturday night, the laughs keep on coming with one of the country's funniest and best known performers, Kathleen Madigan, joined by all-star comics Ryan Hamilton and JR Brow.

You can catch Kathleen Madigan on her new Showtime special, Gone Madigan. She has shared the stage with comedic legends such as Robin Williams and Lewis Black. She has also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and The Green Room with Paul Provenza. 

General Admission Tickets
Friday Night: $30
Saturday Night: $40
Call to purchase tickets - (800) 438-5800
Book a Package

Vote for Katie Button!

Vote Cúrate Chef for Food & Wine Best New Chef Award

Cúrate chef and elBulli alumnus, Katie Button, is in the running for the southeast's Best New Chef Award. Food and Wine is currently conducting an online poll and Katie needs your support!

If you love the food and atmosphere of Cúrate, then why not show your appreciation with a vote? The poll runs through March 11, 2012.

This poll arrives on the heels of Button's recent semifinalist designation for a James Beard award.

Vote Now!

Trolley Tours Begin 2012 Season

Asheville's Popular Trolley Tours Return for 2012 Season

This weekend rings in the return of the Asheville trolley tours. While in town, secure tickets for a guided tour around the city. Each tour offers hop-on/hop-off privileges and is fully narrated with interesting stories of Asheville's history as well as insider tips on where the hot spots are located. 

Stop by the Asheville Visitor Center to secure your ticket to ride. You have your choice of two excellent services.

1. The Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville  Look for the red trolleys.

2. Asheville Historic Trolley Tours Look for the white trolleys.

Visit here for other types of tours in the area!

Foodtopian Deals for SoCon Attendees

Hey SoCon fans! If you're in Asheville for the tournament this weekend (March 2-5, 2012), then be sure to hold on to your ticket stubs. The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) is offering great discounts to team fans at select eateries around town. It's easy to spot which restaurant is with AIR. Just look for restaurants flying flags with the chef logo in their window. Or find the full list of AIR restaurants right here - please note that not all restaurants are participating so check for the flag first. Bon Appétit!

How To: Biltmore Container Gardens

Biltmore Provides Expert Tips for Creating Great Container Gardens

Bring the beauty of Biltmore garden's to your home with container gardens. Spring is fast approaching and it's the perfect time to plant bulbs, flowering shrubs, primrose, pansies and lettuce. We spoke with Cathy Barnhardt, Biltmore's Floral Displays Manager, who provided this insightful how-to for creating the perfect container garden.


A simple potted plant could be considered a container garden, but using creative combinations of plants in a container means you can use your imagination, reflect your style, and enjoy the fruits of your labor up close.  Container gardening can make your gardening easier, by bringing plants up from the ground, making grooming, and insect control easier. Containers can add accent or a focal point to your porch, terrace or garden.

Consider where your container is going to be placed.

• This will determine whether you need shade loving or sun loving plants, the type of container you will need, and how much care, such as watering, your garden will need. Turn the container occasionally for even light exposure.
• All containers will heat up and dry out more quickly than plants in the ground, so even if the plants you choose are sun lovers, place them so they have some afternoon shade. Fruiting vegetables like tomatoes need the most sun.
• Place your container near a water source for convenience. 
• If you will need to move your containers, purchase a rolling caster base to make moves easier and safer. Otherwise, raise your planter on bricks or paving stones to allow good drainage and to reduce the risk of damage to decks or terraces.

Choose your container with care.

• Anything that will hold soil could be a container, but some are better for the plants and easier to work with. Avoid container with narrow openings. As roots grow and fill the soil in the pot, it can be hard to remove plants and soil for a new planting. 
• Keep the scale of the setting, and the size of the container to the plant materials in mind.  The pot should not overpower the size of the plants.  Be sure the pot is deep enough for the plants to develop strong downward roots. Vegetables need deep pots. Smaller pots heat up and dry out more quickly, so give your plants plenty of room to grow into.
• Terra cotta dries out very quickly. The new synthetic resin pots stay cooler and are moisture conserving. They are also light, durable, and often freeze resistant. Stone, cement and wood containers are frost safe and can stay out during the winter. Glazed ceramic pots are a good choice, but be sure there are drainage holes. Dark colored pots will heat up and dry out more quickly.

Provide good drainage.

• Be sure there are drainage holes in your container, and that they remain unobstructed and retain soil by placing pieces of broken clay pots, a piece of screening covered by an inch of gravel, or even layers of old newspaper in the bottom of the container.

Use a good potting soil mix.

• For most plants a good commercial all-purpose planting mix works well as they are designed to be light, retain even moisture, and to drain well.
• Some plants such as cacti or herbs require special potting mixes to thrive. Do the research and you can create your own blended mix. Compost can be used for container gardens, but be sure it is disease and pest free. 
•  Place soil up to an inch from the rim, and expect some settling over time.

Choose compatible plants.

• Choose plants with similar light, water, heat, and food requirements.
• Mix the sizes of your plants, some tall, some shorter, and some that will trail over the edges of the pot. “Tall, small, fall.”
• Choose plants that are in balance with the container, no more than about twice the height and half the width of the container for an individual plant.
• Some plants grow more aggressively, and may outgrow or overcome the other plants, so choose with care.
• Consider drought tolerant plants for ease of care and water conservation.

Water often and well.

• If the soil is dry to a depth of one to two inches, it’s time to water.  Water until the water runs freely out the drainage holes.  A good idea is to water twice. Water the plant well, move on to others, and come back and give it a good drink again.
• If a plant is on a surface that water will damage, then use a protective saucer under the pot. If not, then the health of the soil and the plants will be better without a saucer, and you will not have to deal with stagnant water and mosquitoes.

Feed your plants.

• As water drains out of the pot, it carries out nutrients, so fertilize regularly for thriving plants.
• Fertilize with either a slow release or water-soluble quick release fertilizer such as 20-20-20 per the directions. A good idea is to water with a diluted liquid fertilizer about every other watering.

 Groom and freshen up your container garden.

• Just as in your larger garden, you need to prune, deadhead, and pinch back plants as needed.  Keep an eye out for disease and pests.
• Pull out any blooming or vegetable plants that are finished or out of season and freshen up your design with a new plant that reflects the upcoming season!

Time Lapse: The New ExploreAsheville.com Arena!

In preparation for this week's Southern Conference basketball tournament, crews at the U.S. Cellular Center (formerly known as the Asheville Civic Center) have been busy renovating the arena for it's grand opening.

It's now our pleasure to introduce to you, the new ExploreAsheville.com Arena! We're so proud.

Learn more about SoCon!

A Bathroom Worth Sharing (Online!)

Pinterest Provides Viral Success For Asheville B&B

The Bathroom Seen Round the World

An Asheville B&B experienced unexpected viral success when their luxurious Fitzgerald bathroom, made its way across the pin boards of thousands of loyal Pinterest users. The owners of 1900 Inn on Montford, an Asheville bed and breakfast, had never heard of Pinterest until the day a guest checked in telling of how she first learned of their Inn. 

"She saw our Fitzgerald bathroom on Pinterest," said Innkeeper, Lynn Carlson. "This was the first week of January and a couple of weeks later we heard from BedandBreakfast.com that the photo had gone viral."

"On Wednesday of that week, it has been pinned nearly 7,000 times, on Thursday it reached 8,000 and by Friday night it has 10,500 pins." Latest count shows that the pin had been shared over 47,729 times!

Pinterest has certainly become the new buzz site in social media, and with success stories such as this, it's poised to stick around. The Carlsons say they are still booking business thanks to a single photo. 

Follow Asheville on Pinterest!