A Blue Ridge Parkway Bed and Breakfast
Imagine waking into a well-appointed room inside a scenic cedar-and-stone B&B that’s 3,200 feet above sea level. Imagine looking forward to these delights as you prepare for the day ahead:
- The breakfast tempts your senses and gives you yet another reason to rise from the cozy splendor of your bedroom.
- The mountains, beautiful in any season, lay outside just beyond your outstretched fingers.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway, the nation’s most visited National Park, waits for you only two miles away from your room like a string of pearls through the Appalachian Mountains.
- A day of exploring in the mountain air or in the Asheville cityscape compete for your attention.
- An evening meal by the fireplace, as prepared with the sublime culinary expertise of Chef Kacia, caps a day full of memories.
These are only several reasons to stay at the Sourwood Inn, a Blue Ridge Parkway bed and breakfast. Lodging so close to the Parkway means “America’s Favorite Drive” is your best route to the inn from Asheville. In fact, you get to the Sourwood Inn from the turn-off near mile marker 376. The inn is so close, yet so remote.
Set in the Woods, Yet Accessible to All
The Sourwood Inn is situated in the midst of nature, as you’d expect of a Blue Ridge Parkway bed and breakfast. The mountain location offers more than scenic beauty, though. On or off the Parkway, the destinations you can visit within a short driving distance include:
- The Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center, run by the Southern Highland Craft Guild, holds live demonstrations and sells fine crafts made by local artisans.
- Rattlesnake Lodge Trail, a moderate hike five minutes from the Sourwood Inn, is part of the Mountains to Sea Trail and leads to the ruins of the lodge.
- Craggy Gardens, at mile marker 364 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a favorite with locals and visitors alike for its trails and views. Bring a picnic!
- Mount Mitchell, just north of the Parkway at mile marker 355, is the highest point east of the Mississippi River (6,684 feet above sea level) and a worthwhile trip if you’re coming to the mountains.
- Linville Falls, a little further north on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 316, features several hikes to a number of waterfalls. Pack a lunch and enjoy the drive too.
- Grandfather Mountain, with its views and Mile High Swinging Bridge, waits for you at mile marker 305 off the Parkway. There are even activities for your kids.
You can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway north up to Linville Falls and Grandfather Mountain for a day trip. The next day, drive south, past Graveyard Fields and all its hiking trails, all the way to Cherokee, NC, where you can learn about Native American culture and history — or just enjoy a show or some gambling at the casino. The Sourwood Inn sits so close to the Parkway, you can use it to get anywhere.
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In the Mountains Near Asheville
Despite its location off the beaten path, this Blue Ridge Parkway bed and breakfast is still a short half hour drive to downtown Asheville, NC, and close to other nearby adventures. At the Sourwood Inn, you get to enjoy lodging in the peaceful mountains while having access to the excitement and quirkiness of a vibrant mountain city. In fact, you can follow the Blue Ridge Parkway right into town. Look for the turn-off around mile marker:
- 382 to take U.S. 70 (Tunnel Road) five miles through East Asheville right into downtown
- 384 to take U.S. 74A to I-240 three miles into downtown
- 388 to take U.S. 25 (Hendersonville Road) five miles through Biltmore Village on your way to downtown
Depending on your taste for outdoor escapades or indoor excitement, you can find lots to do and see in nearby Asheville. Make the most of your trip to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Enjoy several of Asheville’s highlights when you visit, such as:
- The Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private home, has something for everyone, with animals, shops, restaurants and a winery — in addition to the house tour.
- Asheville is a culinary experience and a foodie destination. Dine with the locals on Southern dishes or sup at the best fine dining establishments anywhere. Ask your innkeeper for a recommendation.
- Asheville tours introduce you to the area’s history while entertaining you. Try one:
- Grayline Trolley, for an orientation to Asheville’s highlights
- La Zoom Bus, for a comedy tour with some of Asheville’s characters
- The Amazing Pubcycle, for a pedaling, drinking tour of downtown — yes, you read that correctly
- Haunted Asheville, for a different slice of Asheville’s history
- Brewery tours abound in Beer City USA, especially since the opening of the Sierra Nevada and New Belgium breweries
- Experience Asheville through the prism of Lexington Avenue, with its funky shops and locally owned restaurants.
- Get out of town — and into the treetops — on a zipline tour at Navitat Canopy Adventures
- At Blue Heron Whitewater, you’ll experience the French Broad River up close and personal.
- If a guided horseback ride along mountain trails sounds appealing, then plan a trip to Sandy Bottom Trail Rides
There’s Something About the Mountains…
Staying in a mountain lodge provides a retreat from the hectic pace of life. Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway — at the Elk Mountain Scenic Highway/Ox Creek Road turn-off by mile marker 376 — the Sourwood Inn lays the Appalachian Mountains at your feet. Whether you want to go off to explore or lounge with a cup of tea, you’ll know that your place among the trees is reserved especially for you.
When you stay at the Sourwood Inn, with its elegance and comfort, you may not want to go anywhere else. The hours slide by leisurely when all you’re called to do is rock in a chair on the porch and read a new book with the Blue Ridge Mountains a scenic backdrop. If it’s downtime you crave, you’ll find it at this Blue Ridge Parkway bed and breakfast. Every moment you spend on the grounds rejuvenates and energizes you.
