By Jon Tharp, Broker · September 8, 2026
At a Glance
Impractical Instruments, an Asheville interactive art studio founded by Charlie Huguenard and Jessica Tomasin, opened a free exhibition at Lamplight AVL, 2 Westwood Place in West Asheville. It features interactive artwork, immersive environments, sound installations …
By Jon Tharp, Broker · September 2, 2026
At a Glance
A new documentary chronicles rivercane, North America's only native bamboo, and its central role in Cherokee culture and Western North Carolina's river ecosystems. Once covering millions of acres in dense canebrakes along rivers like the …
By Jon Tharp, Broker · July 27, 2026
At a Glance
Peak fall foliage near Asheville runs from late September through late October, moving downhill as the season goes. Above 5,000 feet, including Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam, and Sam Knob, color arrives the last week of …
By Jon Tharp, Broker · July 16, 2026
At a Glance
The historic Switzerland Inn in Little Switzerland, North Carolina, reports strong guest response after expanding its Be Water guest room program. The inn sits at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 334 in Mitchell County, about an …
By Jon Tharp, Broker · July 16, 2026
At a Glance
The Great Flood of 1916 crested on July 16, killing roughly 80 people across Western North Carolina and setting a 24-hour rainfall record of 22.22 inches near Grandfather Mountain that still stands. Two back-to-back hurricanes …
By Jon Tharp, Broker · June 12, 2026
At a Glance
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has updated its free interactive map, letting hikers locate shelters, viewpoints, parking, and Trail sections from a phone or computer before they leave home. The map now loads faster, works better …
By Jon Tharp, Broker · June 12, 2026
At a Glance
Lake Junaluska launched seven new swan paddle boats in June 2026, a gift from Carol Clark in honor of her parents and family. Called "Seven Swans a-Swimmin," the boats nod to a Clark family tradition …
Photo by Wes Hicks (@sickhews) on Unsplash
By Jon Tharp, Broker · May 26, 2026
At a Glance
WorldAtlas named Blowing Rock, NC the quirkiest town in North Carolina, pointing to its gravitational mystery attraction at Mystery Hill, Tweetsie Railroad theme park, a 15-stop downtown …
By Jon Tharp, Broker · May 24, 2026
At a Glance
Western North Carolina is home to one of the most extraordinary natural light shows on the planet. Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone hosts 19 species of fireflies, …
Photo by Audri Van Gores (@audrivangores) on Unsplash
By Jon Tharp, Broker · May 24, 2026
At a Glance
The Highlands Chamber is hosting a workshop on wetland plant identification and conservation in Highlands, NC, a town that sits in one of the most botanically …