Winter Holidays in the Southern Highlands

Asheville North Carolina is a magical place any time of the year - but during the winter holidays it becomes a fairy land of natural beauty, festive lights, and unique and wonderful feasts.

A visit to the Biltmore Estate with its elaborate period decorations and candlelight evenings is a holiday tradition.  For a simpler and older example of holiday customs in the mountains, the Smith McDowell House Museum has an annual Victorian Christmas Celebration exhibit.  And the extraordinary art deco Grove Arcade has free concerts throughout the season.

But the Grove Park Inn is the place to be when you visit - whether you are celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, the New Year, or just life - the Grove Park is a must with its walk-in sized fireplaces, terraces with breathtaking views of the mountains & downtown, and its annual Gingerbread House Competition exhibit.

This year, the city of Asheville is starting a new tradition of Holiday Seasonal Sizzle - featuring fireworks, special culinary delights at many of the independently owned restaurants, and expanded hours for downtown's unique shops.

At the Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, you'll find a real seven foot North Carolina Douglas Fir in the foyer decorated with ornaments collected over almost forty years.  And, there are hundreds of Santas, a garland with golden lights on the stairwell, and hand made pine garland on the verandah & balcony embedded with pink lights.  Not too glitzy - but it will get you in the spirit.