Equestrian Culture

Tryon Equestrian Center is the premiere equestrian facility of Western North Carolina. It’s the epicenter of horse culture in Tryon—of block parties, movie nights, meet-and-greets, and of course, world-class horse shows and events. It is home to the American Eventing Championships, which brings participants from across the nation to compete in events for all skill levels. It also offers additional tournaments and shows for Dressage, hunter, show jumping, Pony club, cross country, and more. It’s even a one-stop entertainment facility complete with on-site local restaurants, boutiques, and shops. And for those that need a place to keep a horse, they offer premiere stabling services and pastures.

Learn more about the Tryon Equestrian Center, or other top facilities in the area, including the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, the Tryon Equine Hospital, and Green Creek Equestrian Park.

Local Wineries & Vineyards

The rolling countryside along the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the perfect location for NC vineyards. Located in the isothermal belt, the Foothills are home to fertile land protected from harsh weather by the mountains. With delicious wine made from local grapes and the backdrop of the mountains, these local wineries and vineyards are the ideal place to unwind and taste the local culture.

Burntshirt Vineyards
2695 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville, NC Also check out the Tasting Room in Chimney Rock

Biltmore Winery
1 Winery Rd, Asheville, NC

Green Creek Winery
413 Gilbert Rd, Columbus, NC

Mountain Brook Vineyards
731 Phillips Dairy Rd, Tryon, NC

Overmountain Vineyards
2014 Sandy Plains Rd, Tryon, NC

Parker-Binns Vineyard
7382 E Nc 108 Hwy, Mill Spring, NC

Russian Chapel Hills Winery
2662 Green Creek Dr, Columbus, NC

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville, NC

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway winds 469.1 miles from Cherokee in southwestern North Carolina through the rolling hills and mountains of Southern Appalachia to central Virginia. It is renowned for its breathtaking mountain vistas, brilliant wildlife viewing, rich cultural history, and wealth of recreational opportunities, and draws thousands of motorists, motorcyclists, bikers, hikers, campers, and more each and every year. It’s not just about the views at the Blue Ridge Parkway—hundreds of miles of possibility await.

Explore Small Town Charm

Take a day trip to antique shop and explore the small towns of Western North Carolina. Chock full of great places to eat and explore local craftsmanship, this area has dozens of small towns to discover like Hendersonville, Saluda, Waynesville and Black Mountain.

Lake Lure and Chimney Rock

Enjoy summer days out on Lake Lure. Rent a pontoon boat for a sunset cruise or a ski boat to enjoy all the lake has to offer. If something on dry land is more your speed, explore the charming town of Chimney Rock and take a tour of Chimney Rock State Park.

Hiking

The area of Western North Carolina has hundreds of trails for you to explore. Pisgah National forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway are great places to start. There are also local trails in Saluda, Lake Lure and Tryon for all level of hikers.