What an amazing year we have had at the Sourwood Inn! We are so thankful for the dedicated staff at Sourwood that continually helps us maintain the quality of service and hospitality that we are known for. Rest assured that you will find the same farm direct meals that are thoughtfully prepared and immaculately clean guest rooms and common areas when you visit. With cooler weather approaching, we are busy getting our fireplaces well-stocked and thinking about the holidays. The Sourwood Christmas Tree and the entire inn will be decorated just after Thanksgiving. Check out the 12 Reasons to Celebrate the Holiday Season in Asheville listed below, and stay with us for a holiday getaway to rest and relax while still enjoying some holiday festivities around Asheville.
December Happening at the Inn
Connie is already talking about decorating the inn, including a beautiful tree, candlelight, twinkling lights, and garland. In addition, this year, the inn is including a fun holiday promotion that includes receiving a free ornament with a gift certificate purchase of $150 or more. You can see these fun ornaments in a basket beside the welcoming desk or follow us on Instagram where we will be having some mischievous fun taking pictures of the ornaments around the inn.
During the first three weeks in December, you can also enjoy two great promotions that your pocketbook will surely enjoy. First, from December 1st – 19th, you can enjoy a full-board stay with three meals included with your room night, Thursday- Sunday. Second, if you are visiting during the mid-week from Sunday- Thursday, enjoy $25 off your room nights and receive your choice of a free bottle of wine with an artisan cheese plate OR a delicious meal for two of Barn House Kitchen Strubuns. All the more reason to plan a holiday getaway to the Sourwood Inn today!
Asheville Weather in December
Everyone appreciates Asheville’s mild winter weather, which allows for so many things to do. We recommend bringing plenty of layers as some days can be quite mild and the evenings colder, giving you the perfect weather to cozy up in front of our many wood-burning fireplaces. Brisk hikes that can take you to beautiful waterfalls and an exciting downtown make for one of the best holiday destinations in the United States. You’ll find an average daytime temperature of 48 degrees and a nighttime low of 36 degrees during December. You might even catch snow dusting on the mountain during your stay. Rest assured that we have a generator and plenty of wood to make “being snowed in” quite a magical and restful experience.
12 Reason to come to Asheville for the Holidays
Plan your trip today for a holiday getaway to Asheville and stay at the Absolute Best Luxury Lodge in Asheville- The Sourwood Inn!
A safe and luxurious place to stay in the mountains of Asheville
The Sourwood Inn is a beautiful year-round destination. It is especially cozy and perfect during the holidays when you can relax by the decorated tree and enjoy a glass of wine in front of a blazing fire. Since we love to pamper our guests, we have added the option of a full-board stay for the first three weekends in December; this option includes three meals with your room rate (breakfast buffet in the morning, soup, salad, and bread for lunch, and our popular farm direct evening dinners). It is perfect for guests wanting to stay at the inn for a relaxing retreat.
Christmas at the Biltmore
From November 5th, 2021, through January 9, 2022, the Biltmore House is even more magical when the estate is adorned for the holidays and includes many elaborate hand-decorated trees, including the favorite 35-ft. live Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall, a thousand poinsettias, miles of garland, and live music. As an added treat, during an evening tour, enjoy flickering candlelight and glowing fireplaces- a perfect way for you to imagine yourself a guest at the first Vanderbilt family Christmas in 1895.
Micro-Brewery Tours surrounded by holiday lights
A walk through Asheville’s cozy downtown streets is especially sweet during the holidays when everything is aglow. If you are a fan of craft beer it’s also a treat to go pub hopping and checking out all the fantastic breweries that thrive in Asheville. Check out a previous blog to learn about some of our favorites.
Hendersonville Home for the Holidays
We love Hendersonville, which is a short hour’s drive from the inn. From November 1- January 1st, the historic Main Street twinkles with thousands of lights with many festive events, including hayrides, tours, ice skating, and fantastic shopping. Check out the town’s website for details of all the festivities. In addition, Hendersonville’s downtown area is a great spot for holiday shopping, including our favorite handmade soap company- Willow Hill.
National Gingerbread House Competition
A popular holiday event in Asheville includes the 29th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition at the festive Omni Grove Park Inn. Intricate gingerbread houses from the competition will line the lobby level hallways. The official Gingerbread display begins on November 28th, 2021, and will continue through January 2nd, 2022. The Omni Grove Park Inn invites guests not staying at the resort to view the display after 3:00 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday.
A Night Before Christmas
On Saturday, December 11th, from 6-9 pm, downtown Waynesville’s historic Main Street comes alive with live music and carolers, Bethlehem marketplace with a live nativity, old-fashioned wagon rides, storytelling, and luminary-lined streets. The small town also includes many unique shops for holiday shopping.
Holiday Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum decorates for the holidays with nearly half a million lights twinkling throughout its 434 acres every holiday season. For a magical experience, take the trolley from the Renaissance Hotel downtown or from Biltmore Gardens, which will take you to the arboretum entrance–a magical ride, with a complimentary cup of hot chocolate to enjoy along the way.
Jingle Bell Trolley Train ride
Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and sounds of the holidays with stories of local holiday traditions and singing of classic carols and songs of Christmas. The tour will travel throughout downtown, Biltmore Village and the historic neighborhoods of Montford and Grove Park.
For an authentic train tour, stop by the Craggy Mountain Line for tickets on the Jingle Bell Trolley Train Run. This train ride takes about an hour and includes a meet and greet with Santa, cookies, and hot chocolate.
Finding the perfect holiday gift in Asheville
Asheville is filled with brilliant little shops–from clothing boutiques and jewelry to essential oils, pottery, hand-made bath products, and art. In addition, you’ll find small, local bookstores, yarn shops, gift shops, and artisan galleries where you are sure to find that perfect gift for your loved one.
A perfect holiday dinner
Asheville is filled with a diverse and passionate food and drink scene. Check out a previous blog that highlights some unique dining venues along with some old-time favorites. In downtown, you can walk to over 60 locally-owned restaurants, many with outdoor dining. From crafted cocktails to local brews, there’s plenty to drink. There are also many surrounding vineyards and breweries that will often have entertainment during the holiday season.
If you feel like staying at the inn, enjoy a full-board stay that includes all three meals in front of a blazing fire and peaceful mountain views. Our inn is known for our farm direct dining and curated wine, making dining-in special and relaxing.
Take a winter hike
Asheville and our surrounding areas are filled with many great hiking trails. Whether you decide to take a short stroll through the Botanical Gardens of Asheville or a more challenging hike to reach High Falls in Dupont Forest, hiking during the winter means incredible views as leaves and brush aren’t blocking the way. Be sure to check the forecast and dress in layers. Sourwood Inn also has a great hiking trail on the property for you to enjoy. You may even decide to partake in a game of horseshoes.
Experience the Biltmore Village
An Asheville tradition, now in its fourth decade — “Dickens” is staged on the first full weekend in December (December 3rd & 4th in 2021). The celebration begins on Friday evening with a ‘cozy’ tree-lighting ceremony on the Village Green, featuring regional choral groups, instrumentalists, excerpts from the Montford Park Players’ annual production of Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol” and, of course, visits with St. Nicholas.
The Village takes on seasonal magic with thousands of tiny, white lights adorning buildings. Experience the enchantment, complete your holiday shopping and dine in seasonal splendor during the Biltmore Village “A Dickens Christmas,” and begin your own holiday season tradition. We especially enjoy dining at the Corner Kitchen (advanced reservations needed) and shopping at the New Morning Gallery.
Come stay with us
The Sourwood Inn welcomes you to stay with us for an unforgettable holiday getaway. All of our rooms include romantic wood-burning fireplaces and spa-like baths with mountain views. You will awake to the smells of our fresh, locally roasted coffee that are serviced daily with our bountiful breakfast buffet. Magical serenity in the mountain of Asheville! Stay with us and experience some of the 12 reasons to Enjoy the Holiday Season in Asheville.
