As the Asheville area settles into the season’s cooler temperatures, it may seem logical to put outdoor activities on ice. But on the hiking trails, there’s an exhilarating, wintry world awaiting you, and one you won’t want to miss out on. While much of the Blue Ridge Parkway closes during the winter, there are still many hiking [...]

Autumn in the Asheville area brings a range of delights for the senses, with vibrant fall foliage topping the list. There are a variety of scenic hiking spots to take in the region’s stunning seasonal display, from vantage-point peaks to tree-shrouded paths blanketed in crunchy leaves. Following are a few favorite backdrops for a [...]

With autumn upon us, it’s the perfect time in Western North Carolina to join in area fall harvests. Picking apples, pumpkins, grapes and the like is a fun activity for both young and old, and the Asheville area is ripe with scenic spots for such seasonal harvesting. Following are a few u-pick destinations to spend a fun-filled fall afternoon.

·     Jeter Mountain Farm – This working farm 25 miles south of Asheville in Hendersonville is famed for u-pick apples, but they also offer u-pick sunflowers, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries (in season). There is a large kids play area, cider and apple cider doughnuts to enjoy after an afternoon of picking.

·     Sky Top Apple Orchard – This Flat Rock orchard (30 miles south of Asheville) has an assortment of apples for picking (check their web site for a picking schedule). Set against a scenic backdrop of mountains and ponds, Sky Top also features sheep, goats, chickens and turkeys in their barnyard, as well as farm tours and hayrides.

·     Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard – If you’re looking for u-pick grapes, pumpkins and apples, check out this Hendersonville orchard. When you’re done harvesting, enjoy fresh apple cider, doughnuts and other goodies from their country market.

·     Justus Orchard – This fourth-generation orchard and farm in Hendersonville offers u-pick and we-pick apples, blackberries and pumpkins. Come for the picking, stay for the fun of farm animals, a country store and a bakery.

For those of us not quite ready to let go of summer, transitioning into fall is easier with a late-season visit to one of the area’s u-pick flower farms. 

·     Flying Cloud Farm – This Fairview farm (19 minutes from Asheville) allows guests to pick their own flowers from June through October, for $10 a cup (cups and small scissors provided).

·     The Never Ending Flower Farm – Never Ending, 20 minutes north of Asheville in Big Ivy,  continues to offer u-pick opportunities through late October or frost, whichever comes first. Operating on an honor system, the farm provides instructions, vases/buckets, pruners, and several methods for self-payment.

For information about real estate in the Asheville area, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call anytime at 828-707-9556

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Asheville and the surrounding areas are overflowing with public-access lakes perfect for lazing away an afternoon, enjoying water activities, fishing, hiking or camping. Here are a few [...]

The Asheville area is brimming with exciting activities to keep kids happily engaged. From kid-centric museums to factory tours to adventure courses, there’s an array of experiences aimed at the young – and the young at heart. Following are a few to check out:

Asheville Museum of Science – This museum, in the heart of downtown Asheville, features the Colburn Hall of Minerals, STEM lab, dinosaur skeleton and fossil displays, Southern Appalachian Forest tree climb, and other exhibits supporting experiential science learning, discovery and exploration.

Asheville Art Museum – Every Friday, this downtown Asheville museum’s Art PLAYce space features kid-focused events in a sensory-rich environment, inviting exploration of art via fun activities as well as unique interactives created by regional artists.

Hands On! Children’s Museum – This colorful children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville is famed for creative hands-on exhibits, as well as events, programs and classes.

Adventure Center of Asheville– This in-town center has it all for the outdoor adventurer in your kid. KidZip is a unique zipline course designed for kids 4-10 featuring nine ziplines and four climbing elements. Its Treetops Adventure Park is an aerial challenge course with 77 unique climbing, rolling, walking, jumping, swinging, and rappelling challenges specific to different ages (4 and up) and experience levels. Kolo Bike Park offers 4 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails, two pump tracks for beginner and experienced riders, and even a Littleville bike playground for the youngest shredders.

Pinball and arcades – Rainy days don’t have to drown out the fun: Downtown’s Asheville Pinball Museum offers 75 pinball and classic video games to play for a flat admission price. West Asheville’s Retrocade features video games, pinball, billiards, Skeeball and Foosball for flat-fee indoor fun (and both boast bars for the adults!).

ClimbMax – This climbing gym has two in-town locations featuring varied indoor terrain, along with expert instruction and equipment. The downtown location, with numerous top rope and auto-belay features, is well-suited to younger climbers.

The N.C. Arboretum – These gardens offer plenty of opportunities to learn about nature in a fun, immersive environment. Among the activities are TRACK Trail, which explores the Natural Garden Trail through the eyes of Shelly, the Arboretum’s resident eastern box turtle; and Rocky Cove Railroad, which highlights the entry of trains into Western N.C. in the early 1900s via an intricately detailed garden-scale model railroad and trains.

Biltmore House and Grounds – Kid-centric activities abound at this famed destination. Offerings include: a kids’ audio guided tour of the house; a model train exhibit meandering through the gardens; guided bird walks and falconry experiences; horse-drawn carriage rides; kids’ lagoon fishing with instructor and equipment provided; and Antler Hill Village, featuring Pisgah Playground, the Farm with hens, goats, lambs and calves, and the Barn with blacksmith, broom-maker and woodworker demos.

Sweet factory tours – Visitors to the River Arts District’s French Broad Chocolate Factory can take a tour of the facility to learn about the journey of the cacao bean, from farm to factory; the Hop Ice Creamery in West Asheville offers three different tours highlighting the history of ice cream and the Hop.

For information about real estate in the Asheville area, please email Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Asheville and the surrounding area of Western North Carolina are renowned for mountain biking. Whether it’s a local spot to get a quick after-work ride in, or a nearby destination offering an all-day mountain-biking adventure, the Asheville area doesn’t disappoint. Here are a few [...]

With the summer season come opportunities to populate your yard and garden with blooms bursting with color. Creating a landscape of vibrant native flowers and trees not only helps to beautify your yard, but also does double duty by helping to preserve [...]

The North Carolina Arboretum, the 434-acre public arboretum and botanical garden located within Bent Creek Experimental Forest just south of downtown Asheville, is pleased to unveil its one-of-a-kind exhibit Wild Art, an eclectic sculpture showcase inspired by nature and situated throughout its spacious gardens. The outdoor exhibit – of [...]

A second-generation real estate agent with 22 years of experience, Mosaic broker Justin Mitchell knows how to make the most of life in Western North Carolina as an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. Drawing from his adventure-seeking savvy, along with his skill as a seasoned videographer, Mitchell can be trusted to give both buyers and [...]

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the town of Mars Hill (pop. 2,000) in Madison County wows with its beauty and ease of living. Residents and visitors alike enjoy quick access to all manner of mountain sports and family activities. In addition, Mars Hill is only about 15 miles north of Asheville via I-26, which [...]