When you arrange a short-term vacation rental near Asheville, NC, you open up a world of possibility, especially if you love to get outdoors. You don’t need to be an avid hiker, endurance athlete or motorcycle enthusiast. All you have to do is step out your front door or drive a little way. That’s why more and more people are choosing to live and vacation in Western North Carolina.

That’s the value Inspired Getaway brings to your vacation. They partner with properties such as Cedar Cliff Village near Asheville to manage rental houses in desirable locations. And in the summertime, one of the best places to be remains, the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround Asheville, where a day trip can lower the temperature by five degrees or more while raising your spirits.

What Peaks Are Near Asheville?

Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, is less than an hour away, near Burnsville. With a 360-degree view and pleasant amenities, Mt. Mitchell State Park is a great outing for the whole family … and cooler than back in Asheville. Most people drive to the top, except for the final ramp to the summit.

A little further away squats Grandfather Mountain, a nonprofit enterprise. It’s famous for its mile-high swinging bridge, which has delighted kids and scared moms for decades. But there’s more to do there while you’re cooling off, including hiking trails, wildlife habitats and a nature museum.

What about the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Driving up or down the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs near Asheville, you’ll immediately feel the cooler temperatures. You’re surrounded by lush green forest way up in the mountains. If you’re interested in sightseeing, there are sights worth seeing around almost every bend in the road, such as:

  • Moses Cone Park and Julian Price Park, both around milepost 295 near Blowing Rock, offer hiking and other activities.
  • Linville Falls, at milepost 316, has easy hikes to waterfalls and picnic areas.
  • Both Grandfather Mountain (milepost 305) and Mt. Mitchell (Milepost 355) are accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • Craggy Pinnacle, near Craggy Gardens at milepost 364 just north of Asheville, offers a short hike to a 360-degree view.
  • The Mills River Valley Overlook, south of Asheville near milepost 404, is a terrific spot to watch the sunrise.
  • Mt. Pisgah, near milepost 407, is visible from Asheville, but a more impressive close-up.
  • Graveyard Fields, at milepost 419, offers hikes to waterfalls and resplendent autumn leaf-peeping.
  • Nearby, at milepost 422, lies Devil’s Courthouse, which you can visit if you’re bold. After a tough half-mile hike, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views.
  • Waterrock Knob, near milepost 451, is equally great for watching sunsets.

All along the Blue Ridge Parkway are trailheads to hiking trails that lead deeper into the surrounding forest, where you’ll find it much cooler than being in the city. You can find waterfalls and even ruins along the Mountains-to-Sea trail or on parts of the Appalachian Trail. You can even drive from near Asheville to near Boone, a quaint mountain city higher up in the hills. Boone, like Asheville, is worth a visit.

So look for Inspired Getaway the next time you begin planning a vacation to the mountains. They take care of everything so you can get out and see the sights. Inspired Getaways manages properties all around Asheville.