(This article by Louisiana-based writer Kathie Rowell originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most-visited national park again in 2022, with 14.1 million visitors, but the vast mountains of western North Carolina reward visitors who plan carefully with a less-crowded experience.
Former Air Force Capt. Donna Culp moved full time to the state in 2017 and enjoys its natural wonders and attractions. One of her favorite destinations with children is Sliding Rock, a sloping-face waterfall that creates a natural waterslide in Pisgah National Forest near Asheville. Weekday morning visits are best because weekends can be crowded.
Also best visited on a weekday during high season is Nantahala Outdoor Center, known for whitewater rafting, but it’s a favorite of Culp’s for the adventure of flying through the trees at its Zip Line Adventure Park.
“I’ve taken my grandchildren there — if you can imagine a grandma ziplining,” she said. “They also have a ropes obstacle course. It is just tremendous fun.”
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Waynesville is a good base for exploring the Appalachian Mountains, with easy access to the national park, national forests, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
“Historically, it’s one of those places where people have come for years to get away from the big cities,” Culp said. “There’s all kinds of little boutiques and restaurants up and down Main Street, including the Blue Ridge Beer Hub. If they don’t have the beer there, they don’t make it. That’s just all there is to it.”
Another favorite: the Scotsman Public House, with dark wood, tartans, pub fare, and live music, including Sunday afternoon Celtic folk music.
Historical Highlight: One person’s passion for military history grew from a hobby into a museum featuring displays from World War I to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas in Brevard features items donated by veterans and their families and friends.
More to Explore
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