Take a Trip to Artsy, Authentic Asheville

So often, when people say a place is an “arts community,” they’re actually referring to a twee little town with lots of galleries catering to the very rich. Not vibrant, not authentic, not welcoming.

And then occasionally, you get a place like Asheville, North Carolina. Nestled up against the Smoky Mountains, this town embraces its artists, providing plenty of space for them to create and exhibit, and plenty of events and venues where they can be seen. The Asheville Downtown Gallery Association numbers more than 30 members, while the River Arts District contains dozens of studios, all within walking distance of each other. Historic Biltmore Village and the Grove Arcade are two local landmarks converted into shopping centers; both have various fun little galleries and craft places to explore. Great one-stop venues where you can see works from many local artists include the Bender Gallery in downtown Asheville and the Folk Art Center, a major exhibitor of Southern Appalachian mountain art and crafts.

Top 4 Nature-Loving Family Road Trips

Spring is in the air, which means it's time to get outside! Scenery and back-to-basics family fun take center stage on these cheap, outdoorsy family road trips:

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Amid the backdrop of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, this 105-mile stretch of highway (itself a section of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway) is dotted with exits to kid-friendly hiking trails. Inexpensive campgrounds and cabin-style resorts make for a budget-friendly family vacation.

Asheville, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee
This beautiful two-hour drive passes right through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Campgrounds are plentiful in the area, as are laid-back lodging options like cabin rentals and motels.