Sojourin - The Land of the Sky

(Left to right) NC Arboretum Quilt Garden; Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock & Biltmore Winery.

With silhouettes of mountains (a constant companion under an expanse of blue), it’s easy to understand how this swath of Appalachia earned the name Land of the Sky. Composed of four counties, Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania, it borders both Tennessee and South Carolina. Land of the Sky’s largest city, Asheville, is likely the most recognized mountain city in the state.

Known for its artists and architecture, drum circles, and world-class restaurants, Asheville has a lively bohemian vibe that mingles with remnants of a time when socialites first flocked to the area. Beyond Asheville’s borders, surrounding towns and communities bring their own flavors to the region, from Hendersonville’s apple orchards to Brevard’s quaint downtown. 

Local Culture to Cultural Arts
In Madison County, you can check one item off your bucket list: hiking on the Appalachian Trail. A shady three-mile stretch of trail from Sam’s Gap to High Rock in the Bald Mountains follows a ridge to a secluded outcropping of rocks nestled among the trees, perfect for a rest and snack before heading back.

For a bit of Western-flavored fun, attend the Madison County Championship Rodeo in Marshall. The event reopens this summer for the first time since Hurricane Helene, just in time for the July Fourth holiday. The rodeo keeps spectators on the edges of their seats as riders on horseback compete for speed, cowboys cling to bucking bulls, and much more.

In Asheville, Biltmore House, the largest privately owned home in the country, opened to guests nearly 130 years ago. The sprawling, 8,000-acre estate of George Vanderbilt includes acres of formal gardens, an extensive art collection, a winery, an enclosed conservatory, a farmyard, and more. Touring the opulent home and grounds gives visitors a peek into the lifestyle of affluent Americans at the turn of the 20th century. 

Within Black Mountain, music lovers will find a welcoming venue at White Horse Black Mountain, a nonprofit listening room with jazz, bluegrass, blues, storytelling, and more. On the lovely Brevard Music Center campus and throughout the town of Brevard, the summer music festival emerges in June with more than 100 events a season, from faculty and student performances to operas.

Set among the bountiful biological diversity of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the 343-acre North Carolina Arboretum makes connecting with nature easy. In its 65 acres of cultivated gardens, visitors will find the celebrated Bonsai Exhibition Garden, the National Native Azalea Collection woodland garden, dozens of native wildflowers, and many seasonal blooms. Within the visitor center, the arboretum hosts rotating art exhibits like Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains andThe Watercolor Paintings of Rosalie Haizlett, on display from late May 24 until September 27.

Watering Holes and Eateries 
While Asheville’s reputation for exceptional food endures, you’ll also find great eats in the surrounding towns. For example, walk along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville and you’ll come across nearly a dozen tasty spots, like Aroma Bistro and Mike’s on Main. Unique breweries dot the landscape as well. In Madison, stop by Mars Theater Brewing Company, where you can enjoy a pint of local brew and a pulled pork sandwich in the renovated 1940s theater. 

Henderson County grows 65 percent of North Carolina’s apples, making it the perfect place to quench your thirst for hard cider. You can create your own mini cider tour with stops at Bold Rock Mills River, Appalachian Ridge, and the Cider Barn at Jeter Mountain Farm to sample the flavors of the region. 

Vintage Vibes
When you’re looking for a place to stay with a bit of history as part of its charm, you’ll find it at the 1950s Foggy Bottom Cabins near Brevard and, in Madison, at The Marshall House Inn, built in 1903 as a residence. Both provide exceptional hospitality in spaces updated with modern amenities. 

Resources
Explore Asheville (828) 258-6129; exploreasheville.com
Explore Brevard (800) 648-4523; explorebrevard.com
Henderson County TDA (828) 693-9708; visithendersonvillenc.org
Visit Madison County (828) 680-9031; madisoncounty.com

Madison County Championship Rodeo
330 Carolina Ln., Marshall
Facebook: Madison County Championship Rodeo 

Biltmore Estate
1 Lodge St., Asheville
(800) 411-3812; biltmore.com

White Horse Black Mountain
105 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain
whitehorseblackmountain.org

North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Wy., Asheville
(828) 665-2492; ncarboretum.org

Aroma Bistro
502 N Main St., Hendersonville
(828) 393-5501; indianaromabistro.com

Mike's on Main
303 North Main St., Hendersonville
(828) 698-1616; mikesonmain.com

Mars Theatre Brewing Company
70 North Main St., Mars Hill
marstheatrebrewingco.com

Bold Rock Mills River
72 School House Rd., Mills River
(828) 595-9940; millsriver.boldrock.com

Appalachian Ridge Hard Cider
749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville
(828) 685-4002; saintpaulfarms.com

Cider Barn at Jeter Mountain
1126 Jeter Mountain Rd., Hendersonville
(828) 513-0656; jetermountainfarm.com

Foggy Bottom Cabins
123 Layla Ln., Pisgah Forest
(828) 435-2460; foggybottomcabins.com

The Marshall House Inn
100 Hill St., Marshall
(828) 484-6624; marshallhouseinn.com

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