Any good vacation spots in NC, VA or thereabouts?

[Odilia]

Does anyone know any good vacation spots in North Carolina, or maybe Virginia, even WV? Something scenic, mountainous rather than beach, with nice hiking, etc.. DH has some vacation time in May, and we almost never get to go on a real vacation the past few years, mainly due to some elder-care issues etc... But I really want to get some time to unwind, and want to keep it simple. We could fly somewhere, but I''d rather stick to something very simple & easy, within driving distance (from MD; Wash. D.C. area), and preferably very scenic w/ hopefully some trails for hiking or things like that. Near historic places would be good too. Bed & breakfasts are potential options, etc... Also, we LOVE a room with a real, wood-burning fireplace, although of course that''s not mandatory.

Anyone have any places like that that they''ve loved?

 

[sumbride]

Harper''s Ferry???? Seriously, it''s fabulous.


I used to go to Wintergreen Resort in VA in the summer... there are a lot of homes there I think you can rent. We used to borrow one from a friend for the weekend and it was really nice. It''s right on the Appalachian trail.

 

[applequeen]

What about Asheville, NC? My husband and I went there after our wedding and have been back for an occasional weekend trip a couple of times since its not too far from where we live. They have a great downtown with lots of resturaunts and shopping but there are tons of opportunities for "outdoorsy" stuff too. They also have the Biltmore which is a pretty good way to spend a day (especially at the winery). You''d have lots of options as far as hotels (simple to very fancy like Biltmore Inn or Grove Park Inn) or you could stay at a B&B (there are several in the area).

 

[Odilia]

Thanks for the good suggestions, sumbride and applequeen! I will have to look into those.
Any others?

 

[Regular Guy]

Several spots for sure...I''ll mention those in VA

Wintergreen
Luray Area
Shenandoah*
Virginia Beach
Charlottesville
Williamsburg

For specific spots...consider Traveladviser

 

[crown1]

highlands, nc

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Asheville is really nice (Biltmore is amazing). Wilmington is nice if you want a beach vacation.

 

[ahappygirl]

Okay, I lived in Virginia 20 years. A zillion non-beach places. Easy drive from DC (very easy drive from Richmond) I''d vote B&B in Charlottesville (go to Monticello) or nearby, dirt cheap rustic cabin in Shenandoah Nat''l Park (got engaged while hiking there) or Williamsburg. C''ville is my first pick if you''ve never been. Look at highmeadows.com (we stayed in the french country carriage house for part of our honeymoon.) There are lots of great places around there and tons to do, great architecture and history, great hiking/ horsebackriding, shops in C''ville area. Springtime anywhere in VA or NC is awesome. Think tulips and romance!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So many choices!

We go to Mountain Lake, VA every summer (you def. won''t need a fireplace in late May!). Part of the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed there. The food is wonderful and there is plenty of hiking. The downside is that the natural lake is very low right now, so I think there is no boating this year.

http://www.mountainlakehotel.com/default.asp

Asheville has already been mentioned and if you want to stay in a hotel with charm and character (with lots to do nearby), try the Grove Park Inn:

http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/

My in-laws have a house in Highlands, too. It is beautiful has some nice upscale shopping. I think it would be the farthest from you, though.

http://www.highlandschamber.org/

 

[Odilia]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I better get cracking to schedule something...

 

[trillionaire]

You MUST go out to waterfall country! It''s a little past Asheville. I had an acquaintance that stayed out there and stayed at a place where there was a hot tub/jacuzzi that actually used water from a hot spring!

http://www.visitwaterfalls.com/