Asheville's Amazing Waterfalls
The city of Asheville, North Carolina has been making a name for itself as one of the best cities to explore in the American South.
Many visit the town to experience the numerous amazing restaurants, vibrant arts scene and grab a beer at one of the many breweries that call the place home but there’s so much more to appreciate here than just the city’s heart. While the rustic look of revitalized industrial buildings has certainly drawn many restaurateurs and people looking for a unique place to live, the pristine wilderness that surrounds the city offers plenty of treasures to explore as well.
Asheville’s scenery is well known for two distinct geographical features: the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains and the mighty French Broad River. One of the biggest quirks of the French Broad is that it is one of the few rivers in the world that flows south to north. It weaved its way through the nearby mountains and created many beautiful and unique natural features. Some of the most awe-inspiring are the hundreds of waterfalls that surround the city. Many of them are easily accessible and are adjacent to many of Asheville’s most iconic landmarks. You don’t have to be fond of hiking or particularly enjoy traversing through nature to appreciate these beautiful features. A detour to one or more of the many falls would be a perfect day trip to spend if you chose to visit us for our any primary care CME conferences in Asheville.
With so many different waterfalls to explore around the city, it can be a little daunting to know exactly where to start. If you’re visiting in the fall, a must-see destination is Graveyard Fields, well known by locals for the vibrant colors the leaves transform to. As you walk through the tunnel of trees you’ll see plenty of leaves spilling into a still reflective river that heightens the sense of beauty you’ll see all around you. This park is also home to two of the most popular waterfalls to visit in the region. The easiest to get to is Second Falls located just inside of the park but if you’re in the mood for a little bit of a hike you can take a four-mile loop trail and visit Upper Falls.
If you’re in the mood to take a scenic drive while in town consider driving along NC Highway 276. This mighty stretch of road cuts through Pisgah National Forest and is home to Looking Glass Falls. This waterfall is a curtain of gentle trickling white water that falls seventy-five feet to the pool below. You don’t have to love driving to appreciate the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the country. Besides the incomparable views of mountain landscapes just outside the roadway lies Skinny Dip Falls. If you’re visiting the city during the summertime the gentle cascades of these waterfalls and numerous pools make it the perfect place to wade in and cool off during a particularly humid day.
If you’re looking for drama, consider visiting either Hickory Nut Falls or Upper Whitewater Falls. Located in Chimney Rock State Park, Hickory Nut Falls is well known for being featured in the movie Last of the Mohicans. The water tumbles down a four-hundred and four-foot drop into the pool below and nearby benches and viewing platforms make this the ideal place to linger and capture a few unique photos. If you have children with you or just want an easier hike one of the best places to visit is the Upper Whitewater Falls. Located just outside of the city, you’ll take a short walk down a paved road and find yourself in front of this mighty waterfall. Water tumbles off the cliff edge and plummets four hundred and eleven feet to the ground below. Another fun place to take your family would be Moore Cove Falls, another easy hike located just outside the city. Even though this waterfall may not make the best first impression it has a secret feature everyone seems to enjoy. Moore Cove Falls is one of the few waterfalls in the world that visitors can walk behind. Whether you love waterfalls or are simply looking for something special to add to your next hike, there’s plenty of truly amazing natural scenery to explore in Asheville.
Upcoming CME Conferences & Online Learning
Want to attend a live CME conference in a beautiful locale or complete an online course from the comforts of home?
At Continuing Education Company, we provide you with options to make your medical continuing education fun, engaging, and relevant. Check out our conference calendar to view the dates and locations of upcoming conferences as well as the online learning courses and live streaming that are currently available. And, for a limited period of time, take advantage of our Special Offer! Attend one of our LIVE conferences in person and you will receive a FREE online 15 credit CME course from CME365™.