Hotel at a Glance: Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa

The Blue Ridge Parkway twists and turns through the Great Balsam Mountains, reaching a height of more than 6,000 feet as it passes over Richland Balsam mountain, the road’s highest point. Just a short distance northwest of this spot, Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa sits amid Appalachian ridges and ancient forests.

• Enjoy the view: Most rooms have balconies. Historic guest rooms are in the original 1920s-era wing, and mountain-view rooms are in a newer building.
• Tee off on the resort’s three golf courses, which dates back nearly 100 years.
• Start your day with an included High Country breakfast for two adults and up to two children 12 and under at Cork & Cleaver, with biscuits & gravy, grits, bacon, eggs, and more.
• Grab a bite: Savor fried shrimp platter and half-pound burgers at the on-site Tap Room Sports Bar & Grill.
• Get pampered with a soothing massage or body treatment from Balsam Spa.

Waynesville, North Carolina: Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway

Located 30 miles west of Asheville, Waynesville is nestled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the country’s most popular scenic drives, meanders through mountain valleys and loops around Waynesville en route to Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. The picturesque thoroughfare branches out to more than 100 hiking trails, ranging from short footpaths to the Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine.

Anyone visiting Waynesville should spend at least a day exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most popular national park. The park covers cascading waterfalls, more than 1,500 types of wildflowers, and dozens of historical mills and barns in the southern Appalachians. Naturally, the area is a haven for outdoorsy activities, whether it’s kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking, trout fishing, or panning for gems. While out, keep an eye out for elk, black bear cubs, eastern box turtles, and white-tailed deer.

Waynesville itself is a charming, old-fashioned town, with a Main Street lined with pretty trees and brick sidewalks. There are also many quaint storefronts, including a general store, a candy store, and numerous antique shops housed in old buildings. Every year, the downtown area is the setting for several festivals, such as Folkmoot USA, an international folk-dance and music extravaganza.