Writers and actors have always found the North Carolina mountains inspiring. Author Thomas Wolfe made his home in Asheville, while Historic Hendersonville and Flat Rock were home to poet Carl Sandburg. Here too is where you’ll find the Flat Rock Playhouse: State Theatre of North Carolina, offering a full season of professional theater from April to October and classes year-round.

Cullowhee’s Western Carolina University has a new $30,000,000 Fine and Performing Arts Center bringing a variety of performances from the award-winning jazz of T.S. Monk and Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theatre to Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home companion and Shakespeare to the mountains.

Not far from the Lakehouse is the traditional southern resort town of Highlands. Here you’ll find the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, a great place to pamper yourself and unwind. Nearby Asheville also has a number of luxurious spas including the historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa.

So, whether it’s immersing yourself in Appalachian culture, luxuriating in a world-class spa, or just enjoying the view, you’re sure to find an escape to the North Carolina mountains will take you to new heights. Our luxury mountain lake lodge is the perfect place for exploring the mountains in 2010.