Visiting North Carolina

Western North Carolina is dominated by the Appalachian Mountains and its foothills. The region is home to the eastern section of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the Blueridge Parkway and the Black Mountains; the highest range in the Eastern US. The mountains and foothills give way to the urban cities of the Piedmont region including Charlotte, North Carolina's largest city. The Piedmont Triad with Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point anchors the north central area as a well-known commercial and business center for North Carolina. Rich in history and blessed with beautiful outdoor resources, North Carolina offers a wealth of activities, events and destinations for residents and visitors.

The 36th Stokes Stomp – Festival on the Dan is in September. A great family weekend event on the Banks of the Dan River in Moratock Park near Danbury. With live entertainment, arts, crafts and food vendors there is activities for everyone in the family. The 2010 Festival is free and a great fall family activity.

The Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville north of Charlotte is one of the largest in the US. Held each weekend from the beginning of October through November 2010, the festival features a 22 acre village with marketplace, a theater with 10 stages with comedy, music and circus performances. Browse village lanes for hand made goods, visit the arena to watch a jousting match and enjoy the non-stop entertainment. The Best Western Plus Huntersville Inn and Suites is conveniently located off of Interstate 77 for visitors. With affordable rates and comfortable rooms with king and queen beds, you can enjoy the Renaissance Festival for a long weekend.

Asheville in Western North Carolina is ideal for a fall foliage tour – take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or make it an adventure in a canoe ride down the southern Appalachian valley. November brings the Asheville International Children's Film Festival, an ideal family event showcasing the best international children's cinema. Bring the kids to see films from more than 30 countries along with workshops, live performances and discussions. Films are scheduled to be shown the first fourteen days of November in Asheville.

Enjoy the cool fall weather at the Best Western of Asheville Biltmore East just one mile from downtown Asheville. For proximity to the Smoky Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, head west to the Best Western Mountainbrook Inn in Maggie Valley, The Best Western River Escape Inn and Suites in Dillsboro or the Best Western Smoky Mountain Inn in Waynesville. Fall is ideal in the Smoky Mountain region of North Carolina.

For a special Holiday treat, visit the Biltmore Estate for a Candlelight Christmas Evening. An ideal setting to get into the holiday spirit. Enjoy roaring fires in beautifully decorated rooms, with live music and storytellers to entertain. Visit at the end of a day's visit to the Biltmore Winery, River Bend Farms and the shops and restaurants on the estate. The Candlelight Christmas Evenings run November and December 2010.