A family-friendly weekend trip to the Asheville area of North Carolina offers an eyeful of art and gorgeous views. Take it all in—including spectacular Blue Ridge scenery—from behind the wheel of the sporty, entirely new 2018 Ford Expedition. We teamed up with Ford to bring you this one-of-a-kind expedition.
Many weekend getaways require that you choose between rural charm and urban sophistication. Not Asheville, which boasts a bustling art community and a dazzling location at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s easy to take in hip culture and natural wonders along one of the nation’s most scenic roads within a single day. Here are three stops not to miss.
Cross a Canyon
Asheville is an easy 3½-hour drive from Atlanta. Take Route 23 through the mountains of northern Georgia and stop roughly halfway, at Tallulah Gorge State Park, to see the two-mile-long, 1,000-foot-deep canyon and its swaying suspension bridge—cross it if you dare. Stop in at the park’s Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, which highlights the rich history of this rugged area. Along the way, you can enjoy your favorite tunes on the Expedition’s available 12-speaker B&O PlayTM Premium Audio System by HARMAN.1 Wireless charging2 means your devices will never run out of juice, so passengers can watch their favorite shows and send texts.
Follow the River
Asheville’s River Arts District has more than 180 studios—most converted from factories—along a one-mile stretch of the French Broad River. You’ll find everything from sculptures to blown glass to unique furniture. Many artisans offer classes that let you throw your own pottery or try your hand at painting. Be sure to hit Jonas Gerard’s gallery to see his renowned flow-painting techniques. If you have time, visit Black Mountain College, an experimental college where highly influential artists have been teaching and studying for decades, a half hour away. Check out the town’s many craft shops, and then break for a freshly made savory crepe at La Guinguette.
Get Folksy
The Blue Ridge Parkway beckons. This 469-mile road, dubbed America’s Favorite Drive, can be curvy. But it’s nothing the Expedition can’t handle with ease, thanks to the 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 engine, available intelligent 4WD, and available Terrain Management SystemTM—which lets you choose from up to seven drive modes3 to optimize driving dynamics, whether you’re around town, on the highway, or in low-traction conditions. Don’t miss the Folk Art Center at Milepost 382. It showcases traditional crafts of the Appalachians and features live demonstrations; at the Allenstand Craft Shop, you can pick up handmade jewelry, pottery, ironwork, glass, and more. As you resume the trip and climb in elevation, consider detouring to one of the wonderful waterfalls en route. Make your way to Mount Mitchell, park, and take a short hike to the observation deck at its 6,684-foot peak—the highest point east of the Mississippi—for panoramic 360-degree vistas.
