Grove Park Inn and Spa Asheville NC - Great Weekend Massage

If you've ever wanted to get away on the Holidays - Imagine 8:00 Christmas morning, enjoying the peacefulness of an early massage and spa treatment. After this relaxing trip into serenity , spend the remainder of the day swimming or floating in an underground mineral pool or Jacuzzi - located underneath the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina.

Or if a mind pleasing journey into nostalgia is top of your list - take in a Christmas day, early morning viewing of It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart.

All in all the Grove Park Inn and Spa is a great place to be pampered and treated like a Queen for King for the day. Plus there's lots of other activities close by, if your trip is planned for more than a weekend. Golfing, hiking, camping, shopping and some great dining.


A short drive into downtown Asheville will open you eyes to a complete different world of small boutiques, Mediterranean dining, Mexican dining, ice cream, a Cuban breakfast, famous hot dog eatery. 12 Bones (smokehouse) diner and the French Bar sandwich shop near the ( FINE ARTS ) independent theater. Its all different and makes for a senses filled adventure.

http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/
http://www.fineartstheatre.com/
http://www.jerusalemgardencafe.com/
http://www.12bones.com/
http://www.thefrenchbar.com/

And if art is your passion, make sure you visit the River District Artists, where artist's create, work and are easily accessible for viewing their art and for great conversation. An almost endless choice of artist styles and their studios, opened to the public.
http://www.riverdistrictartists.com/

NC Mountains Getaway Blue Ridge Parkway - Hiking, Kayaking and Shopping

North Carolina is home to some of the most breath taking views in the country. With easy access, free camping in the federal parks and endless hiking trials , the state is a must see and do for those wanting to get away from Internet connections, laptops and cell phones. Just a few days in the mountains of North Carolina or surrounding lake areas and your mind and body are ready to re-enter the world of deadlines and schedules.

See some of our earlier blog posts for directions and information on some of the areas hottest spots for fun and relaxation. http://ncweekendadventures.blogspot.com/

NC Mountains Kayaking - Easy Lake Kayaking Julian Price Memorial Park

Easy lake kayaking in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Julian Price Park, only 15 minutes from Blowing Rock NC is the perfect and easy lake kayaking adventure for beginners and those just wanting to relax and have fun on the water.

See lower blog for additional information and map.

Table Rock North Carolina Hiking and Camping

Enjoy primitive camping with some awesome views. Build a camp fire near your tent site and enjoy camping FREE in this Federal Park Area. HWY 181 out of Morganton NC - turn left after passing mile marker 23 - onto Ginger Cake. Est 13 miles . Great day or weekend trip.

Julian Price Memorial Park Blue Ridge Parkway Blowing Rock NC

Great for a day trip! Julian Price Memorial Park is located just a few miles outside of Blowing Rock North Carolina. From Blowing Rock Take 321 to the Parkway - GO SOUTH, only a few minutes from Blowing Rock and maybe 15 minutes from Boone. The park has tent and RV camping, plus some sites are on the water. Camping fee is $19.00 a night and reservations can be made through the park office at 828-963-5911. The small lake has a beautiful and scenic 1.5 mile walking trail as well as canoe rentals for $12.00 an hour. Great for kids, pets and families with no steep inclines. You can actually see Grand Father Mountain while canoeing in the lake.
http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/NaturalHeritage/NationalParks/BlueRidgeParkway/julianpricememorialpark.html

15 minutes away - Close to Blowing Rock and Boone Shopping and Dining.
Icabod's Italian American Food- 321 Bypass Blowing Rock NC - 828-295-3239

Woodland's Bar-B-Q and Steaks - 321 Bypass - 828-295-3651

Pssghetti's Italian Pizza, Pasta and Wine ( more casual )
7179 Valley Blvd. Blowing Rock NC 28605 - 828-295-9855

Albermarle NC Mount Morrow and Uwharrie Mountains

One of my favorite places in Albermarle, North Carolina is Morrow Mountain State Park and the areas surrounding it. The Uwharrie mountains, Pee Dee River and Fall Reservoir. Great for kayaks, camping, swimming, fishing, plus close by is Lake Tillery, Badin Lake and City Lake.
Makes a great weekend get away from any where in the triangle area, Fayetteville or Charlotte North Carolina.

And no trip is complete without a visit to God's Country Outfitters for supplies, canoe and kayak rentals and more. See link and details below. Nathan, Tracey and family will always make sure your trip is enjoyable.

Directions

Morrow Mountain State Park is located in Stanly County, six miles east of Albemarle, and is accessible from NC highways 24/27, 73 and 740.

From I-40 in Greensboro, take US 220 South (I-73/I-74). Turn right on NC 24, traveling west toward Albemarle. About six miles from Albemarle, turn right on Valley Drive and travel approximately three miles. Turn right on Morrow Mountain Road, which leads into the park.

From US 74 in Rockingham, take US 220 North (I-73/I-74. Turn left on NC 24, traveling west toward Albemarle. About six miles from Albemarle, turn right on Valley Drive and travel approximately three miles. Turn right on Morrow Mountain Road, which leads into the park.


Falls Reservoir
This stretch of the Pee Dee River between Badin Lake and Lake Tillery offers some of the most beautiful and pristine flat water paddling in all of NC. The sheer rock banks of the river coming down off the Uwharrie Mountains create a serene paddling environment. Paddlers will encounter waterfalls, imposing cliffs as high as sixty feet, bald eagles, osprey, blue herons, and absolutely no building or development! You can even paddle right up to the bottom of the menacing Falls Dam and stare in awe of the structure that is holding back millions and millions of gallons of water- just feet away from you! The Falls is truly a hidden treasure.

God's Country Outfitters also rents kayaks and canoes for groups and families. Clients may choose a guided excursion with one of our knowledgeable staffers or they may choose to let us recommend some of the beautiful paddling areas in the Uwharrie lakes region and then set them off on their own.

http://www.gcostore.com/index.htm

Table Rock NC Mountains Hiking and Camping - Morganton NC

One of the most beautiful views near Morganton, North Carolina is Table Rock Mountain and Park located outside of Morganton NC - Off of Highway 181. There you can enjoy primitive camping with a camp fire. Outside bathrooms are available, but no electricity. The area offers many hiking trails and great places to bird watch or take photographs. The unique Western North Carolina flowers and plant varieties are in abundance through most seasons.

Another new feature to this area ( further down highway 181 ) is the extreme bike trail that offers miles of developed extreme bike paths and separate RTV trails.

Downtown Morganton NC offers a new Theater and several small places to dine and several small streets for a leisurely stroll or shopping.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_Rock_(North_Carolina)

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Tablerock&state=NC