About the Area
Breathtaking natural beauty among some of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Charming small towns rich with Appalachian culture and community. Vibrant downtowns with award-winning restaurants and a thriving, cosmopolitan art scene.
There’s a reason why Western North Carolina captures the hearts of those who learn and live in our mountain region, with its cities and towns earning top rankings on national and international lists. Take a look!
Well known for its art deco style, lively music scene, award-winning cuisine, beloved breweries, outdoor recreation, and eclectic arts and craft, Asheville is also a hub for health and wellness, recognized by EatingWell as the 2026 Best Wellness Town in America.
This designation is just one in a long list of accolades, including one of the 50 Best Places to Travel worldwide in 2026, and one of 2025’s 15 Favorite Cities in the U.S. And it’s not just media outlets, visitors, and those who live here who love this thriving mountain city—four-legged friends love Asheville, too, for its pet-friendly vibe. Enjoy this fun look at one pup’s visit!
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*Assembled by MAHEC’s own Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Assistant Program Director Brian Atkinson, MD, CAWSM, DipACLM (MAHEC Asheville Family Medicine Residency Program, Class of 2021).
Located 30 minutes southeast of Asheville is Hendersonville, known as “The City of Four Seasons,” and beloved for its charming downtown once described by a Chicago travel writer as “one of the nation’s most attractive small-town shopping districts.” Find boutique shopping, street concerts, museums, independent restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries, and the popular Bearfootin’ Art Walk featuring 20 colorful bear sculptures painted by local artists and installed along historic Main Street for a few months each year.
Just down the road, hop on a trail or two—and not just the abundance of hiking trails, but the Cheers! Trail (North Carolina’s only craft beverage trail), the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail, the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, or the Henderson County Orchard Trail, proof of Henderson County’s ranking as one of the top 20 apple-producing counties in the U.S. and earning it the nickname, “The Apple of North Carolina’s Eye.”
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Hendersonville photos © Henderson County Tourism Development Authority
“The heart of the High Country.” “The jewel of eastern America's highest mountains.” And of course, home to Appalachian State University, with a growing list of accolades that includes tops rankings from U.S. News & World Report: #2 in Top Public Schools in the South, #3 in Best Regional Universities of the South, and #4 in Most Innovative Schools in the South (not to mention a decorated athletic program).
All of these describe Boone—a mountain town to love, live, and learn in, whose vibrant culture, local arts, and award-winning wineries are all within easy reach of the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, known as “America’s Favorite Drive.” Boone also offers plentiful hiking and biking trails, beautiful mountain overlooks, recreational lakes, and other outdoor adventures—plus it’s a doggone friendly destination for pups.
Venture down the road from Boone to the Blue Ridge Parkway’s biggest waterfall, located in neighboring Linville Falls. Check out 90-mile views and experience the mile-high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain where the annual Highland Games draw visitors from around the world. And enjoy year-round activities at the area’s ski resort!
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Learn more about living in Boone
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."
– John Muir, Naturalist and Preservationist
