Best Time to Go
Asheveille is a city for all seasons and its southern mountain location has them clearly defined. Folks longing for an old-fashioned Christmas may want to snuggle up before a bed and breakfast inn’s fire during December when Biltmore House pulls out all the stops for Christmas. January starts with a series of New Year’s Eve packages at area hotels, and the romantic setting is ideal for a February Valentine’s Day getaway. In the spring, the Rhododendron and wild flowers turn the town into a floral fantasy. During the summer, Asheville is a welcome escape from the humidity, and the long days merge with balmy evenings for the perfect outdoor vacation. Fall brings out the leaf lovers and others who want more than one dose of the mountains before the first freeze.

Average Weather
Around 17 inches of snow fall on Asheville annually, along with fifty-five inches of rain. In January, the average daytime high temperature is in the low forties. During June, expect average daytime highs in the low seventies. It’s coldest in February and warmest in July. Asheville has a mild climate; it seldom runs to real extremes. You’ll definitely need an umbrella in April and a sweater or light jacket is useful even in the summer once the sun goes down.

Transportation
Continental Express, Delta Connection, Carriers ASA, COMAIR, US Airways, and US Express serve the Asheville Regional Airport. Budget, Enterprise, and National Car rental all have Asheville area locations. Greyhound and Amtrak can also get you to Asheville.

Asheville’s location in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains makes a car a must. So much to see and do surrounds the city that being without wheels can be frustrating. But, once you’ve reached your destination, be it Biltmore House or the in-town area full of galleries and specialty shops, expect to do a lot of walking.

In-Season Costs
Asheville can be as budget-conscious or as posh as you choose. You’ll find exclusive resorts where any luxury you can think of is offered in the $200 nightly range as well as popular budget chains offering rooms around $50 nightly. In between the extremes, you’ll chose from bed and breakfast inns, modern chain hotels, and other options. Eating out in Asheville can be an adventure, the presence of a large New Age community, cosmopolitan celebrities seeking peace, and southern natives combine to create a city with an eclectic bar and restaurant scene. You can blow the bank on a gourmet meal in the $50 range, dine out well for $20 or think drive-through for a bargain meal. Most bed and breakfast inns offer such hearty morning fare that unless you’ve got an exceptionally healthy appetite you’ll eat a light lunch. Be certain to budget shopping-spree cash --- Asheville abounds in one-of-a-kind jewelry, small press books, and knick-knacks you won’t find at home – it’s a city where you’ll shop until you drop.

Day Trips
You simply must visit the Great Smokey Mountain National Park; it’s only about 40 miles away. Take I-40 west out of Asheville to US 19 then get on US 441 to the southern entrance of the park in Cherokee. Cherokee, North Carolina, is worthy of a day trip as well; you can find out all about the life and history of the Cherokee people as well as gamble in a casino.

The Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, is an easy drive from Ashville; simply take I-40 west to exit 27, Maggie Valley and pick up US 19 south and follow the signs to Cataloochee.