Have the Time of Your Life at Lake Lure's Dirty Dancing Festival

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the blockbuster hit movie Dirty Dancing. There's hands-down no better way to celebrate than to spend a weekend retracing Baby and Johnny's steps at the 3rd Annual Dirty Dancing Festival in Lake Lure, North Carolina.

Living the Dirty Dancing Dream at Lake Lure

Where it all began
Dirty Dancing was partly filmed in Lake Lure, NC, during 1986, and released a year later to a tremendous reception. People fell in love with the Houseman family, went "Swayze Crazy," and couldn't get enough of the late-night staff dances that gave the film its name. Now you can relive the excitement, and even meet several of the film's cast and crew, for two days at the Dirty Dancing Festival.

Perfect timing for a summer vacation
The Dirty Dancing Festival takes place on August 17th and 18th, when the summer sun and sparkling water make every day ideal at Lake Lure. This pristine and remote spot has been a summer vacation favorite for decades. Cool off in the heat of August with a splash in the cold mountain lake! Then enjoy an exclusive nighttime screening of Dirty Dancing lakeside on the big screen.

Recreate the Magic in the Lake Lift Competition

Learn to dance the Cha Cha
The daytime family dance festival features live bands and exciting choreographed dance performances. There's something for everyone in the family, from a beer and wine garden to the Kidz Zone, as well as dozens of food and craft vendors. Make sure to refine your swimming skills ahead of time if you hope to win the Lake Lift competition! Plus, dance lessons are free, so you can learn how to Salsa, Mambo, and Cha Cha!


You'll need a place for the family to stay after you dance the night away! Carolina Mornings, the area's premiere vacation rental company, has plenty of rental cabins in the Lake Lure vicinity. Give our Vacation Planners a call today to book the time of your life!

Relaxation in a Round House: Amethyst Creek Cottage

Discover Serenity at Amethyst Creek Cottage

Nestled in a woodsy setting, Amethyst Creek Cottage is an energy efficient Deltec round house with a wrap-around deck and inspirational, modern furnishings. If serenity is in your vacation plans, this destination will satisfy your quest for soul searching. Amethyst Creek Cottage is the perfect place to start a personal project or make romantic memories.

With majestic mountain views and complete privacy, comforts at Amethyst Creek Cottage include a Tempurpedic king-sized bed, WiFi for staying connected, and Eco-Friendly features such as a low flow toilet, Energy Star appliances, air purification systems, and low-VOC paint.

Modern Decor and Energy Efficient Features

Located in Fairview, near hiking trails, whitewater rafting, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the cottage is an ideal vacation home-away-from-home, just 30 minutes away from Asheville's plentiful arts, entertainment, and fine dining.

Rates start at $285 for a weekend or $785 weekly. Call a friendly Carolina Mornings' Vacation Planner today to book your wilderness escape to Amethyst Creek Cottage.

Experience the Art of Slow Living at Slow Living Cottage

Nestled on a wooded hillside near Asheville is a cabin that truly captures the zen-like essence of the surrounding natural world. Slow Living Cottage is immersed in a natural setting, making this bungalow a local paradise for bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Located just minutes from the French Broad River, there are endless opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and rafting nearby. The cottage is tastefully appointed with a quaint and clean demeanor, including a cozy window seat, pebbled shower floor, modern kitchen, and numerous windows that create a bright and healthy atmosphere.

While relaxing at this tranquil paradise may be enough for some, this cottage is conveniently located 15 minutes from the shops, studios, restaurants and entertainment of Downtown Asheville. After returning home from an evening on the town, relax by a crackling fire in the outdoor fire circle or soak your troubles away beneath the stars in the spacious soft-sided outdoor hot tub.

"We had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. What a beautiful cottage - the perfect escape for some R&R," said a recent guest from Charlotte, NC.

Come escape to this serene cottage for your next getaway, and learn what slow living is all about. Rates start at $285 for a weekend or $785 weekly. 

For a limited time, book a 2-night stay and receive $50 off our reservation or $75 off a 3-night stay.* To book online, use the code 2BLOG50 for a 2-night stay or 3BLOG75 for a 3-night stay.

*Restrictions apply. For reservations booked after June 19 and checking out before August 27^th.

Top Ten Reasons You'll Love Asheville's Bele Chere Festival

Ready to get into the summer groove dancing in the streets? Bele Chere takes over Asheville from July 27th through 29th! The largest free arts and music street festival in the Southeast, Bele Chere has been drawing crowds of excited fans to downtown Asheville, NC, for 34 years. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, everyone enjoys three days of food and fun at this festival named for "Beautiful Living."

If you've never been to Bele Chere before, here's ten convincing reasons to take a summer break and see what it's all about.

1. Over forty bands are playing absolutely free all day and night, from local acts including Jonathan Scales Fourchestra and Grammy Award winners David Holt and Balsam Range to national headliners Los Amigos Invisibles, Dr. Dog, and BoomBox.

2. Kids activities! The Children's Area offers exciting rides, fun performances and sing-alongs, Tae Kwon Do instruction, and friendly animals from the Western North Carolina Nature Center.

3. Asheville is Beer City USA and Bele Chere gives you a taste of brews from dozens of local microbreweries, plus you can walk around town with your beer as long as you have an over-21 festival wristband.

4. Come hungry because the Taste of Asheville and the Pritchard Park Food Court aim to satisfy all of your festival cravings, from farm-to-table gourmet cuisine to funnel cakes and kettle corn.

5. Watch dogs of all breeds make a splash while attempting the "Longest Leap" in the Purina Ultimate Air Dogs competition.

6. Enjoy a unique opportunity to meet artists and watch them create their handmade works of art in the Arts Park, including jewelry makers, photographers, ceramics artists, woodworkers, and painters.

7. Asheville's finest and funniest street performers are out in full force during Bele Chere. In a city that's famous for top-notch buskers, this is the best time to see musicians, jugglers, and living statues break out their best acts.

8. Get active! Bring your running shoes and participate in the Bele Chere 5K.

9. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones from hundreds of craft and merchant vendors throughout the festival.

10. Once you visit Asheville, you'll want to stay a while! Spend the whole week exploring this mountain paradise and you'll discover breathtaking views from the Blue Ridge Parkway, cascading waterfalls, picturesque fields of wildflowers, and the serenity that comes from time spent surrounded by natural beauty.

A vacation rental cabin transforms a family trip into a full-on relaxing getaway. Carolina Mornings is Asheville's premiere resource for mountain cabin rentals, offering pet-friendly properties, exclusive discounts with the complimentary Mountain Discovery Pass, private amenities, and on-staff concierge service. Call our Vacation Planners today to reserve the perfect Asheville cabin for your group!

Escape to Eagle's Crest for a Family Adventure

Perched atop one of the most beautiful mountains in the Asheville area sits Eagle’s Crest. This newly built log and glass home, leaves you breathless with its views. Sitting on over 5 acres of North Carolina woods, Eagle’s Crest is the perfect place to let the kids (and the dogs) roam.

Sip coffee in the morning on the oversized decks watching the clouds drift by or on the covered porch during a gentle rain. Eagle’s Crest has three big bedrooms, a big loft and 2 and ½ baths. Plenty of room to bring the whole family (and don’t forget the dogs). Escape to the master bedroom suite when you need some alone time and sit on the private deck, or soak in the over-sized Jacuzzi under picture windows looking out over 30 miles of views.

Like to cook? This well appointed kitchen will please even the pickiest of chefs. Granite counter tops, hardwood floors and a floor to ceiling stone fireplace will leave you wanting to come back, time and time again. Eagle’s Crest was a labor of love for the owners and they know you will be pleased with the results.

Call Carolina Mornings today to book your family vacation at Eagle’s Crest. For a limited time receive $25 off a 2-night stay or $50 off a 3-night stay. To book online, use the code  2BLOG25 for a 2-night stay or 3BLOG50 for a 3-night stay.

A Family Favorite: Doolittle Mountain Cabin

This secluded mountain cabin is the perfect setting for a summertime family getaway. Resting on 30 acres of land, it offers a rare combination of breathtaking mountain and river views, plus many hiking trails right on the property for a scenic family hike.

DoolittleMountain Cabin is inviting and comfortable, and a great size for the whole extended family. After a fun-filled day playing around the property or traveling around WNC, take advantage of the cabin's creature comforts. Enjoy a cookout on the grill, curl up in front of the cozy gas fireplace with a good book or movie, and climb into the seven-person hot tub! With plenty of activities to keep you on the go and so many ways to relax, you'll surely sleep well under the mountain sky.

A perfect location for those who want rustic, mountain privacy yet still want the opportunity to shop in Asheville (25 minutes), see the Biltmore Estate (30 minutes), and hike in Hot Springs (30 minutes). Call us today to book your summer family vacation at Doolittle Mountain Cabin.

Ever Been to the Top of the World? Come Visit Scenic Wolf Resort, a Year-Round Mountain Wonderland

Imagine witnessing a splendid sunset over the distant mountain peaks as you soak in the hot tub at your luxurious log cabin. Imagine your family and friends remarking how unbelievable this vacation has been, how they want to make visiting Scenic Wolf Resort an annual tradition. Imagine skiing right off the slopes to your cabin's front door, or diving into the resort's heated indoor pool.

The Never-Ending View from Scenic Wolf Resort

Scenic Wolf Resort is located atop a 4,300-foot pinnacle in Mars Hill, North Carolina, high up in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Everything about this resort will amaze you. The incredible view seems to stretch on forever, the mountain air tastes fresh and crisp, even the winding drive up to the resort is an opportunity to see wildlife like wild turkeys and red fox. Outdoor adventures abound, including on-site skiing and snowboarding, and nearby hiking, whitewater rafting, golfing, and horseback riding.

Over Forty Luxury Log Cabins Are Available

The ideal place for a getaway to celebrate any occasion, Scenic Wolf Resort offers treasured moments of family bonding and a memorable setting for large events. The resort boasts over forty luxury log cabin vacation rentals. Every cabin has a hot tub and many of them provide game rooms, pool tables, wet bars, and bonus entertainment options.

For weddings, reunions, church retreats, and the like, the ski lodge is available, providing plentiful parking, ample seating, spectacular views, and close proximity to the resort's heated indoor swimming pool.

Check out the log cabin and townhouse rentals at Scenic Wolf Resort, then call Carolina Mornings today to make reservations. Our Vacation Planners and on-staff concierge will assist you in planning the perfect mountain vacation. Escape to the luxury of the mountains: Simplify!

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands: A Unique Asheville Opportunity

If you treasure the discovery of a new favorite artisan, enjoy home decorating with one-of-a-kind creations, or love to wear unique handmade jewelry, you'll relish experiencing the 65th annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands. From July 19th through 22nd, the US Cellular Center in downtown Asheville is filled to the brim with the work of over 200 craftspeople.

Local traditions come to life
Vendor booths feature crafts made of every kind of material imaginable, from clay pottery to woodcuts to metal sculpture. Often times you can talk with the craftsperson in person and feel their passion for their work firsthand, plus attending craft demonstrations allows you to see the artist's process in creating beautiful handmade wares. Live bluegrass music is played by local musicians on stage all weekend long.

A great place to shop for gifts
Giving someone you love a gift that is hand-crafted is always gratifying. The vendors at the Craft Fair have honed their skills to reflect the roots of Appalachia through their own individual perspective. There's a wide assortment of gifts to select from - find one that reminds you of your loved one! Amongst affordable knickknacks, creative expressions, and high-end precious stone jewelry, the one thing that everything has in common is a unique character that's bound to make someone smile on that next special occasion.

Supporting community arts
The mission of the non-profit Southern Highland Craft Guild is to promote local crafts and provide support for artisans through connectivity, shared resources, education, and conservation. With membership requiring a rigorous jury selection, the Guild's members are the best of the best craftspeople living in the Appalachians. The Craft Fairs are the Guild's main events. Through their popularity, the Guild is able to further this worthwhile charitable mission.

Find Inspiration at Doolittle Mountain Cabin

A chance to visit Asheville
The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is reflective of Asheville's artistic spirit. While you're here, tour the River Arts District and peruse the many galleries downtown. You'll find inspiration hiding in so many places, from workshops to mountain tops!

The numerous mountain rental cabins offered by Carolina Mornings are another place to find inspiration. With tremendous views and luxury amenities, it's easy to let your worries fade and give in to the relaxed vibes that make Asheville a favored destination. Check out the wide assortment of Carolina Mornings vacation rentals, from convenient in-town condominiums to secluded wilderness cabins. Our Vacation Specialists will help you find your ideal getaway!

Top Five Asheville Activities for Fourth of July

Celebrate your patriotism in Asheville, NC, with ol' time favorites like fireworks and baseball, parades and antique cars. Experience a mountain vacation like no other, surrounded by the Blue Ridge peaks and classic American traditions!

Asheville Celebrates with Fireworks and Baseball

1. Fireworks! -
Asheville's downtown Fourth of July Celebration festivities center around Park Square Park with live music, old-fashioned games, and a variety of food from area vendors. The spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:30 and is visible from anywhere downtown or on surrounding mountain peaks. Look for the crowds and you'll know where the best viewing spots are to be found.

2. Tourist Baseball Game -
The baseball and fireworks double feature is an Asheville staple. The game begins at 7:00 at McCormick Field downtown -- the Asheville Tourists are playing the Augusta Greenjackets. For those that don't have tickets, it's an Asheville tradition to tailgate all day, eat BBQ, and listen to the game on the local radio.

3. Antique Car Show -
The annual Mountaineer Antique Auto Car Show runs from June 29-July 1 at the Western North Carolina Agriculture Center near the Asheville Airport. If you're in town a few days early for the holiday week, this is a show you won't want to miss -- it'll take you back and drive you home!

Kids Love Brevard's Bicycle Parade

4. Heart of Brevard -
Take a short drive to Brevard, where they block off the downtown streets and let the Fourth of July festivities take over for the whole day! It starts off with the 5K/10K Firecracker Run. The Annual Fine Arts & Craft Showcase features unique wares at artisan booths and the Classic Automobile Show includes several blocks of vintage vehicles. The Bicycle Parade and All-Star Pet Show are favorites for the kids. Day-long musical entertainment takes place on the Community Gazebo in the middle of town and, of course, the whole shebang tops off with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

5. More Fireworks! -
Dozens of neighboring towns have firework displays for the 4th, including Black Mountain, Cherokee, Hendersonville, Maggie Valley, and Franklin. Old Fort hosts an afternoon parade. It's a good excuse to get out and explore WNC!

Carolina Mornings has dozens of mountain vacation rental cabins available for the Fourth of July holidays. Many of them are pet-friendly vacation rentals and there's a wide range of locations to choose from. Give us a call today and we'll find the perfect one for you and yours to celebrate. Experience the luxury of the mountains!

An Asheville Tour with a Twist: LaZoom and Carolina Mornings Join Forces to Bring You an Unbeatable Deal

LaZoom is no ordinary bus tour of scenic Asheville. What makes LaZoom bus tours so "historical and hysterical"?

Sister Bad Habit Rides Through Asheville

The purple bus: You can't miss it. It's a moving Asheville landmark... when the LaZoom bus streaks its purple cheer through town every day, bystanders stop and wave. Locals, tourists, and kids all love the purple bus!

The comedy troupe: Not only is the LaZoom bus tour full of Asheville information, it also features outlandish comedy skits by irresistible slapstick comedians that will knock your socks off with laughter!

The bicycle riding nun: Known as Sister Bad Habit, she's an Asheville icon, a local legend, a sight to be seen! You haven't had the Asheville experience until you find yourself pointing and laughing at the bicycle riding nun!

Haunted tours: Is there a Ghost Hunter in your group? Nighttime adult-only haunted tours are touted as being "real stories, real scary, real campy!"

Highjinks with the LaZoom Troupe

B.Y.O.B. bus tours: This is, after all, Beer City USA. Grab your favorite brew and bring it on the bus with you!

Get on the bus and experience the hilarious side of Asheville! Carolina Mornings has teamed up with LaZoom to offer free tickets to all of our guests. One free admission ticket is yours for each paid night of your stay in a Carolina Mornings vacation rental cabin.

This unbeatable deal is a new addition to the Mountain Discovery Pass, which also includes free admission to Reems Creek Golf Club, French Broad Rafting Expeditions, and Scenic Wolf Ski Resort. It pays to be a guest of Carolina Mornings; you can't get these kinds of deals at an Asheville hotel! Give our Vacation Planners a call today and make your reservations for the mountain vacation of a lifetime!

Ten Kid-Friendly Items to Bring Along on Your Asheville Mountain Vacation

When you're packing up the car to head for Asheville, North Carolina, throw in these family-fun essentials to keep the kids entertained:

Make a Splash at Tree Tops

1. A hiking stick to bring along on waterfall-seeking adventures.

2. A camera for capturing memories of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

3. Inflatable pool toys for your family's stay at Treetops, Great Escape, Windswept Retreat, or any of the Scenic Wolf Resort vacation cabins, all of which have a pool!

4. A frisbee to toss around Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville.

5. A bathing suit for taking a dip in the hot tub at any one of these mountain cabin rentals.

6. A silly costume for Belle Chere, the Southeast's largest street and music festival that takes place in Asheville every July.

7. The family dog, welcome at dozens of Carolina Mornings vacation rental cabins.

You're Invited to Relax on the Porch at CarlWallow

8. A mason jar for catching lightning bugs.

9. A baseball glove for bonding time playing catch in the yard of your vacation rental.

10. Smiles! It's easy to let go of your worries when you wake up to a spectacular mountain view.

Offering the premiere selection of vacation homes in the area, Carolina Mornings has Asheville NC cabins in a wide range of locations, from in-town convenience like The Starnes House, to mountaintop luxury like CarlWallow. Call a Vacation Specialist today to plan your perfect family vacation!

Asheville Wins Beer City USA for the Fourth Consecutive Year

Asheville has won the Beer City USA title for the fourth year running, perfectly timed on the verge of the first annual Asheville Beer Week, an eleven day celebration beginning on May 24th. After winning outright for a few years, our North Carolina mountain town tied with Grand Rapids, Michigan, in this year's online poll.

A Busy Night at Asheville's LAB

An abundance of microbreweries
Every kind of brewery, from artsy small businesses like The Wedge to bar-centric breweries like Lexington Avenue Brewery call Asheville home. There's organic high-gravity brews at Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, and tasty canned beers at Asheville Brewing Company. In the big business category, Highland Brewing Company will soon be joined by New Belgium, America's third largest craft brewer, which plans to build a $175 million facility in the River Arts District, and Sierra Nevada, the nation's number two craft brewer, which will build a regional brewery in South Asheville.
Eleven days of beer
Asheville Beer Week celebrates everything beer and beer-related that this scenic Blue Ridge destination has to offer. And that's a lot. Events take place each day at many different locations, and the week culminates at Asheville's third Beer City Festival in Pack Square downtown on June 2nd. The schedule for Beer Week reads like a dream come true for beer lovers, with events ranging from seminars with beer celebrities to gourmet dinners to a home brew competition.

The Asheville Brewing Company Theater Gets Funky

Get to know Asheville by drinking beer
Beer tourism is on the rise in Asheville. A vacation here welcomes you to not only drink beer, but also to enjoy the fabulous views of the surrounding mountains as you sample brews, visit local bars that specialize in pouring local brews on tap, buy homebrewing supplies, and take home a collection of microbrewery pint glasses. Bus rides are even available for those who want the whirlwind tour! Come to Asheville and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.
If you'd like to get a taste of Beer City USA's delicious microbrews, let Carolina Mornings help you arrange your Asheville vacation. With dozens of luxury vacation rental cabins to choose from, Carolina Mornings has the area's premiere selection to choose from. Call our Vacation Planners today to discover which one is perfect for your group!