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My wife and I would like to get away for a few days in the mountains, after Christmas and before New Years'. I am considering Highlands. Do you have any recommendations for a bed and breakfast in the immediate area, preferably one that won't break the bank? (Willing to drop up to $175 a night after tax). Also, we love snow - but being from the lowland South, we have little to no experience driving in it. What are my chances of seeing snow in late December (Highlands sits at 4000+ feet, after all). Does the city do a good job of plowing the roads after snowfall?
My wife and I would like to get away for a few days in the mountains, after Christmas and before New Years'. I am considering Highlands. Do you have any recommendations for a bed and breakfast in the immediate area, preferably one that won't break the bank? (Willing to drop up to $175 a night after tax). Also, we love snow - but being from the lowland South, we have little to no experience driving in it. What are my chances of seeing snow in late December (Highlands sits at 4000+ feet, after all). Does the city do a good job of plowing the roads after snowfall?
Thanks!
All of the B & B's in Highlands are going to be more expensive than that. In Highlands, 200 Main is a good alternative. There are other mountain B & B's not in Highlands that will be more in your price range, but probably at a lower elevation, such as Brevard, Hendersonville, and Flat Rock.
I'd consider a cabin over B&b. We stayed at old Edwards in in the winter and there was nothing to do. We didn't have any view from our cottage and almost all the businesses where closed for the winter or had limited hours. You can definetly find a nice cabin for that price and not be cooped up in a small hotel like room.
The mountain towns such as Highlands, Cashiers etc pretty much roll up in the winter, you might be better off in the county seat towns as there's always business going on there with things to do. Also, though snow can be picturesque, it also means you'll probably find ice on the roads more often than snow. Ice is not fun.
We stayed in a lovely B&B in Brevard a few years back named the Key Falls Inn. I'd go back for a visit if I didn't live so close by!
The mountain towns such as Highlands, Cashiers etc pretty much roll up in the winter, you might be better off in the county seat towns as there's always business going on there with things to do. Also, though snow can be picturesque, it also means you'll probably find ice on the roads more often than snow. Ice is not fun.
I agree about the roads. I grew up in the Chicago area and I know how to drive on bad roads. However, sliding off onto a corn field is different than sliding over a mountain. Plus, this area does not experience the amount of snow that you get further north so they don't have as much equipment. When it snows here, you stay home. Period. It will also most likely melt the next day. Pretty fickle weather. And then you have the time of year. We really don't see a lot of good snow until January (general rule, blizzard of 2009 was at Christmas). What I would suggest is stay around Asheville or Waynesville where you can be certain there is plenty to do and then make trips up to Cataloochee to see the elk. You will get your taste for snow without having to deal with it daily
The mountain towns such as Highlands, Cashiers etc pretty much roll up in the winter, you might be better off in the county seat towns as there's always business going on there with things to do. Also, though snow can be picturesque, it also means you'll probably find ice on the roads more often than snow. Ice is not fun.
We stayed in a lovely B&B in Brevard a few years back named the Key Falls Inn. I'd go back for a visit if I didn't live so close by!
Key Falls Inn was my grandfather's family home built in 1860 and passed down until my grandparents sold it in 1983. I spent my first 21 Thanksgivings there and time every summer. I was there in July for a reunion with my cousins. The owners have updated all of the guest room furnishings since the photos on the website were taken. The Inn is now managed by Bryan Grosvenor and his sister Janet Fogleman. Pat Grosvenor, their mother, is retired, but still lives there. Clark Grosvenor passed away 4 years ago. Bryan Grosvenor went to culinary school and does most of the cooking. He also has a pastry chef who does the baking. The food there is delicious. It's a nice place to stay, but there's not much to do there. It's close to Brevard and about 30 minutes from Hendersonville.
Also consider Blowing Rock. Very cute town, but close to skiing (Appalachian Ski Mt technically has a Blowing Rock address) so there should be stuff going on. Lots of B&Bs in Blowing Rock. Don't have a recommendation since we have a family home in Boone, but I think you might like the area. Maybe check out the Inn at Ragged Gardens. I know it's right in the middle of town and would be pretty walkable to shops and restaurants.
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