The Beauty of Bonsai Enhance a Perfect Getaway

The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is hosting the sixteenth annual Bonsai Expo on October 8th and 9th, giving you the opportunity to enjoy these miniature trees while you're in town checking out the changing leaves of the big ones. The Expo is a two-day event featuring a renowned marketplace, workshops, demonstrations, and special guest Walter Pall, a leading bonsai expert from Austria. Pall will share his unconventionally naturalistic methods of bonsai art in a special presentation on Saturday afternoon. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to enjoy an ancient Japanese practice that is truly an art of ingenuity.

Carolina Mornings has many vacation rentals in Asheville that offer close proximity to the Arboretum, but perhaps you'd like to take a drive in the countryside west of town and enjoy the foliage on your way to About Perfect. This cabin sits on eleven acres full of hiking trails that lead to scenic vistas of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The natural beauty of this home in the tree tops coupled with its convenient location near the Bonsai Expo and Asheville make this vacation rental not just "About Perfect", but really quite "Perfect"!

Enjoy the Splendid Foliage of Western North Carolina

We're on the verge of leaf season in the Asheville area and its a great time to plan a vacation getaway. The National Forest Service offers a list of recommended driving routes from which to see the best of the reds, yellows, and oranges as the mountains turn into a panorama of color. The Foliage Network keeps you in tune with the changing season with regular updates on where to catch peak leaf season activity. But the best way to enjoy the leaves is to get out and live the experience!

Carolina Mornings offers several vacation homes with fine vantage points from which to enjoy the fall foliage. There's the Doolittle Mountain Cabin situated on thirty private acres between Asheville and Hot Springs, where you can enjoy the colorful view while luxuriating in the seven-person hot tub.

The Banjo Branch Hideaway offers long-range mountain views into the Pisgah National Forest from beautiful Mars Hill Valley. The patio is the perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon before heading into Asheville for an evening of entertainment.

Or how about a weekend of rest and relaxation at Alpine Valley View? This highland vantage point sits high on a hilltop to give you a million-dollar view. Cozy up beside the fire to keep warm on those chill autumn nights.

Wherever it is that you decide to pause and behold the breathtaking vistas of Western North Carolina during this foliage season, let Carolina Mornings enhance the comfort of your stay in one of our unique vacation homes.

Asheville, NC's New Vacation Rentals

We've been extremely busy here at Carolina Mornings getting our vacation properties ready for the fall season. The leaves aren't changing quite yet, but before you can say foliage, there will be a panorama of color right out our backdoor in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. We have four new vacation rentals to suit your needs, each unique in their strategic locations around Asheville. All four are centrally located and convenient to the Biltmore Estate and downtown Asheville.

If you're having a family reunion or large gathering and want to be in the heart of Asheville, check out Eagles Wing Lodge, just across the street from Elkhorn Cabin. Together, the two homes can sleep up to 23 people. And just look at that expansive mountain view!

Lady Victoria is conveniently situated in the historic Montford district of Asheville. The owner of Lady Victoria has meticulously and lovingly restored the home, which sits on a quiet tree-lined street with a huge and inviting backyard that is just begging for kids (and dogs!) to playfully pounce while the adults enjoy the amenities.

In funky and hip West Asheville, City Retreat is perfect for families who desire urban living. This home is close to the River Arts District, famous for its abundance of artist studios, unique shopping and delicious restaurants, such as the renowned spots The Admiral and Sunny Pointe Cafe. And complimenting its neighborhood vibe, City Retreat boasts a mountain view from the front porch!

Hillside Charmer is conveniently located only ten minutes from downtown Asheville, yet is tucked away so you can enjoy all of the sights and sounds of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Easy access and comfortable living make this four-bedroom home attractive for large families.

So check out our four new Asheville vacation properties, as well as dozens of other listings that we're proud to share. We're excited to hear your feedback.

Vieux Farka Touré

Be ready for a musical experience universal in nature, but reaching deep into the history and culture of Mali. Vieux Farka Touré, singer, songwriter and guitarist, makes his Asheville debut at The Orange Peel at 9 pm today. Worldly music in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains – now that’s a Labor Day weekend event that can’t be missed this mountain vacation. The creator of ‘the secret of blues’ and performer at the 2010 South African FIFA World Cup awaits!

LAAFF Away on Lexington Ave

LAAFF (Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival) is back and bigger than ever. From September 3^rd to the 4^th, downtown Asheville’s Lexington Avenue will be a bustle of activity and artsy fun for this independently-run event loved by the Asheville community. The whole of Asheville’s creative and eccentric side will be out on the streets! Find multiple stages with a range of musical performances, plenty of local art, food, drinks, and street performers, like magicians, contortionists, and break dancers. It’s the place and time to spice up your mountain vacation in Asheville, so enjoy the end of summer with this classic local favorite.

Apple Festival of North Carolina

“The apple is the loveliest of all fruits”, as the apple growers of Hendersonville always say. For the chance to see (and taste!) their sweet labor of love, come to the North Carolina Apple Festival! From September 2^nd to the 5^th, you’ll find apples of all shapes and sizes. Walk the street fair to try everything from cool apple cider slushies to warm apple turnovers, look at arts and crafts, and enjoy plenty of free entertainment, especially the King Apple Parade on Labor Day. It’s the tastiest way to spend your Labor Day weekend this mountain vacation - plus, you’ll love visiting charming downtown Hendersonville, close to many of Carolina Mornings’ rental cabins and homes!

The Beach Boys at Biltmore

Tonight, this August 27^th, get ready for some ‘Good Vibrations’ up in the Blue Ridge Mountains – The Beach Boys are coming to Biltmore! Playing strong for more than 40 years, you’ll enjoy their surfer music and timeless style that’s better than ever. See them at 8 p.m at the Biltmore House’s South Terrace for a night you’ll never forget. Last chance to buy your ticket! And remember, Carolina Mornings is proud to offer 2-day Biltmore admission for the price of 1 so everyone can afford to visit Asheville’s favorite mountain house.

Musical Spotlight: Concert Pianists at Diana Wortham Theatre

For every lover of music, here is an Asheville event that can’t be missed! Kimberly and Michelle Cann, renowned concert pianists (and sisters), will play a lovely selection of classical masterpieces this Sunday at 3 pm at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Listen to performances of Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ravel and more played from genuine Steinway pianos, the perfect soundtrack to your relaxing mountain vacation in Asheville. Attend and support the community you love to visit - proceeds from this program will go towards subsidizing music education for those in need.

The Wailers at the Orange Peel

When you hear the lyrics “No woman, no cry” floating down Biltmore street in downtown Asheville this Thursday, you’ll know you’re in the right place. Join Carolina Mornings on August 25^th for an Orange Peel performance of legendary status. The Wailers, with Bob Marley as their front man, have sold over 250 million albums and performed to more than 24 million people around the world. And that’s not all – this concert will benefit the Save the French Broad River campaign, raising awareness and funds for the French Broad River Paddle Trail and other conservation efforts. Watch a great show, help save the French Broad River, and keep having perfect (and clean-river) vacations in the beautiful Asheville area.

Goombay Festival Weekend

Goombay Festival is this weekend! See downtown Asheville transform into a fantastic celebration of Africa’s Caribbean Diaspora and enjoy an expose of the rich and dynamic culture that has traveled around the world all the way to the Blue Ridge Mountains. From Friday, August 27^th at 12:00 pm to Sunday at 6:00 pm, leave the comfort of your vacation cabin and walk the streets of downtown to see a variety of FREE live entertainment, including dancing, drumming, contemporary rhythm bands, and much more. Try delicious Caribbean food, buy local and international arts and crafts, and browse the booths and wares of local organizations. It’s Goombay’s biggest and greenest festival yet!

Festival of Native American Music

For the chance to imagine the Blue Ridge Mountains as they used to be before the arrival of Europeans and to understand how Native American musical traditions continue to evolve into the music played today, come to the Festival of Native American Music! This Saturday (August 20^th) at 6 pm, join flute maker Lee Entrekin and the Carolina Flute Circle for a magical evening of flute playing and storytelling. Held at the Julian Price Park Amphitheater at Milepost 297, bring friends and family and enjoy the warm and beautiful summer nights of Western North Carolina’s great outdoors on your vacation in Asheville.

Umbrella Market Saturdays at Pritchard Park

If you decide to explore the swanky streets and alleys of downtown Asheville early this Saturday afternoon, be sure to stop by Pritchard Park’s newest outdoor event. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm every Saturday this summer, the park’s Cultural Arts Program has organized a charming umbrella market right in the heart of downtown. Enjoy a spread of handmade or homegrown local products, such as arts, crafts, flowers, herbs, and much more. A good place to purchase gifts for friends and family - or to find the perfect souvenir from your relaxing mountain vacation in Asheville. Hope to see you there!