Midpoint Retreat Guidebook
Food scene
Such friendly service, beautiful space, and delicious coffee in nearby Canton!
14 locals recommend
Papertown Coffee
119 Main StSuch friendly service, beautiful space, and delicious coffee in nearby Canton!
Grab a coffee, a snack, and sit out back by the water at this Waynesville spot, and/or grab a beer next door!
65 locals recommend
Panacea CoffeeHouse, Cafe and Roastery
66 Commerce StGrab a coffee, a snack, and sit out back by the water at this Waynesville spot, and/or grab a beer next door!
Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall StGreat vegetarian food in Asheville.
Just discovered this place next to the Food Lion in Clyde and enjoyed their delicious pizza! (Bianca with Arugula, yum!)
Valé 243 Southern Italian Kitchen
243 Paragon ParkwayJust discovered this place next to the Food Lion in Clyde and enjoyed their delicious pizza! (Bianca with Arugula, yum!)
Delicious vegan restaurant in Asheville (must make reservations in advance).
176 locals recommend
Plant
165 Merrimon AveDelicious vegan restaurant in Asheville (must make reservations in advance).
Dark and cozy pub house in Waynesville with tasty food options!
14 locals recommend
The Scotsman Public House
37 Church StreetDark and cozy pub house in Waynesville with tasty food options!
Boojum Brewing Company Taproom
50 N Main StSightseeing
Take a walk, a run, a kayak around this beautiful lake. There is something to see in every season. Sunsets, swans, fall leaves, a rose walk...5 minute drive from the house. Kayak rentals are seasonal.
138 locals recommend
Lake Junaluska
759 N Lakeshore DrTake a walk, a run, a kayak around this beautiful lake. There is something to see in every season. Sunsets, swans, fall leaves, a rose walk...5 minute drive from the house. Kayak rentals are seasonal.
Gorgeous Views, even just from the parking lot!!! About a 30 minute drive from the house.
87 locals recommend
Waterrock Knob
Gorgeous Views, even just from the parking lot!!! About a 30 minute drive from the house.
Clingmans Dome
The highest point of Tennessee! About 1.5 hours from the house.
A good test for those afraid of heights! 360 views after a short hike. Fun place to catch a sunset. About an hour drive from the house.
37 locals recommend
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
A good test for those afraid of heights! 360 views after a short hike. Fun place to catch a sunset. About an hour drive from the house.
4.5 mile hike to one of the most recognizable towers/mountains in the area. Sunset views from the trailhead/parking lot area too, without needing to hike. Grab a bite at the Pisgah Inn nearby!
9 locals recommend
Mount Pisgah Trail
Mount Pisgah Trail4.5 mile hike to one of the most recognizable towers/mountains in the area. Sunset views from the trailhead/parking lot area too, without needing to hike. Grab a bite at the Pisgah Inn nearby!
A longer hike (8 miles) that ends at a Rock with Views :) Views along the way, too.
20 locals recommend
Charlies Bunion
A longer hike (8 miles) that ends at a Rock with Views :) Views along the way, too.
I haven't been into this visitor center yet, but it's my entry point into GSMNP usually and I've seen elk in the adjacent field several times. About 45 minutes from the house.
67 locals recommend
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
1194 Newfound Gap RdI haven't been into this visitor center yet, but it's my entry point into GSMNP usually and I've seen elk in the adjacent field several times. About 45 minutes from the house.
Gorgeous views, but the parking lot fills quickly...get there early. Several hikes from this trailhead of various lengths and degrees of difficulty. About 55 minutes from the house.
168 locals recommend
Black Balsam Knob
Art Loeb TrailGorgeous views, but the parking lot fills quickly...get there early. Several hikes from this trailhead of various lengths and degrees of difficulty. About 55 minutes from the house.
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayFerguson Cabin Trail
Ferguson Cabin Trail"Ferguson Cabin Trail Loop" on AllTrails 3.5 miles. 25 minutes from the house
The Pisgah Inn is a nice place to have dinner or picnic (they have a restaurant and snack shop on site) while catching beautiful long views. Seasonal, check for hours.
Pisgah Inn Overlook
Pisgah Inn OverlookThe Pisgah Inn is a nice place to have dinner or picnic (they have a restaurant and snack shop on site) while catching beautiful long views. Seasonal, check for hours.
Beautiful sunset views. There is a garage beyond the valet parking where you can park for free for a few hours (check their website to confirm). Many restaurants/bars on site. Located in Asheville.
573 locals recommend
The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa
290 Macon AveBeautiful sunset views. There is a garage beyond the valet parking where you can park for free for a few hours (check their website to confirm). Many restaurants/bars on site. Located in Asheville.
"Hemphill Bald via Cataloochee Divide Trail" on AllTrails. 8.5 miles, beautiful views. Trailhead at 25 minutes from the house.
Hemphill Bald Trail
Hemphill Bald Trail"Hemphill Bald via Cataloochee Divide Trail" on AllTrails. 8.5 miles, beautiful views. Trailhead at 25 minutes from the house.
City/town information
Waynesville
Cute downtown area with plenty of shops to check out!
Canton
Cute coffee, shopping, restaurants. Seasonal Farmer's Market on Thursdays.
Sylva
Another cute little mountain town to check out!
City advice
Getting around
Check the Blue Ridge Parkway website for closures!
The BRP closes for weather, construction from time to time. Be sure to check their site before you head out that way.