ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Nestled at the intersection of I-40 and I-26, Asheville is the perfect distance from several cool cities to visit for a day’s excursion. Check out the following cities to the north, south, east and west.
North
Blowing Rock, N.C.
Blowing Rock, located just past Appalachian State college town Boone, N.C., is a mountain oasis of cute shops, great restaurants and scenic views. The town’s main stretch is incredibly walkable, featuring an abundance of parking and a playground right across the street from an ice cream shop – the apotheosis of summertime.
Johnson City, Tennessee
From Asheville, even the drive to Johnson City is fully worth the trip. The route is a beautiful mountain-surrounded trek up I-26 and lands in the greenery galore of Johnson City: any park in the town is perfect for outdoor adventure or a picnic.
South
Greenville, South Carolina
Downtown Greenville is in the running for the prettiest downtown in the Southeast. The sloping streets are coated with boutiques, interesting eateries and historical landmarks, and it all sits adjacent to Falls Park, a bountiful leisure area complete with a scenic bridge and a waterfall. For particularly eagle-eyed visitors, try playing the Mice on Main scavenger hunt.
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg is resplendent in art museums and galleries and verdant in urban trail systems and nearby hikes. The small city is a cozier, chiller trip than other towns in the area, great for a relaxing summer weekend. Lots of downtime with a calm downtown.
East
Winston-Salem, N.C.
For the aesthete, Winston-Salem is second only to Asheville itself for a North Carolina locale with a thriving arts scene. Beginning in the downtown area, visitors can easily park on the street, stop by cool antique shops and clothing boutiques, stroll through nonprofit bookstore Bookmarks and its accompanying coffeeshop, hit the a/perture cinema for an art house matinee, enjoy lunch at an outdoor table on the street and then wander into the arts district for evening views, all inside of a two mile radius.
Charlotte, N.C.
For visitors to Charlotte, pairing your visit with an exciting cultural event might be the best move. There are big concerts at the Spectrum Center and PNC Music Pavilion, the NASCAR Hall of Fame for sports fans and, of course, Carowinds amusement park, in addition to loads of fantastic restaurants in the downtown area.
West
Cherokee, N.C.
A visit to Cherokee is not only an opportunity to shop handmade crafts or hike mountain trails, but also a glimpse into the history of the region’s unique culture, from the outdoor drama “Unto These Hills” to the 18th century recreation of the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Of course, for those interested in games and gambling, Cherokee is also home to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
For a day filled with oddities and amusement, there is no better place to visit in the Southeast than Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Located just two hours from Asheville, Gatlinburg is home to everything from aquariums to escape rooms, in addition to its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains. Another 20 minutes will also deliver you to Pigeon Forge, home of the one and only Dollywood, a uniquely Southeastern theme park.