Pre- and Post-Migration

You may extend your vacation in beautiful Asheville by choosing to arrive early for Thursday's excursion to Chimney Rock Park and/or stay for Saturday's trip to the North Carolina Arboretum.

Pre-Migration (optional)

Thursday, September 24, 2009
Chimney Rock Park - A Mountain of Possibilities!
9:00 am - 3:30 pm - $80 per person (minimum: 20 people)
Find yourself in awe with breath-taking spectacular vistas from on top of Chimney Rock. The epic, ancient bit of granite that stands majestically over some of the most beautiful terrain you'll find. The views offered across Hickory Nut Gorge are jaw-dropping. There is nearly 1,000 acres of natural beauty, hiking trails, a 404-foot waterfall and a 26-story elevator to take you to the top of the mountain of possibilities. A naturalist will provide insight on an educational adventure to the Great Woodland Adventure Trail. This trail is an easy to moderate .6 miles and features 12 discovery stations with larger-than-life sculptures of animals. We will dine at Laura's House, which is known for its southern cooking with homemade cake or cobbler.

Post-Migration

Connecting People to Plants: North Carolina Arboretum
10:00 am - 2:30 pm - $75 per person (minimum: 16 people)
Surrounded by the southern Appalachian Mountains and adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the North Carolina Arboretum is one of the most beautiful natural seeing in the southeast. The arboretum offers 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of forested hiking trails, a state-of-the art production greenhouse and the finest bonsai collection in the Southeastern U.S. The Arboretum focuses on education, economic development, research, conservation and garden demonstration with respect to landscape architecture and plant sciences.

On this particular weekend, The North Carolina Arboretum celebrates Southern Appalachian traditions during Heritage Crafts Weekend. The event, now in its fourth year, features craft demonstrations, plant sales and musical performances in the Heritage Garden, Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center.

Before heading home we will experience the Moose Café known as a local landmark and one of North Carolina's down home restaurants. It is located on the grounds of a farmer's market which not only allows you to enjoy some of the local flavor at the restaurant, but also gives diners a chance to tour the market and check out what the locals have to offer. Most importantly, the proximity to the market enables the Moose Café to offer the freshest, local veggies!