If you only have a weekend, we suggest:

             Upon your arrival on Friday afternoon, check in and get settled in your suite at the Willowbrook Inn.  Visit the quaint village of Chimney Rock, only 10 minutes away, and stroll the banks of the Rocky Broad River.  Have dinner at one of the many restaurants and retire early for a good night’s rest. 

             After a restful night, plan an early morning visit on Saturday to Chimney Rock Park.  Purchase a picnic lunch at the Old Rock Café at the entrance to the Park and hike to the foot of Hickory Nut Falls or one of the many other wonderful, scenic spots for a picnic within the Park.  

              After a few hours hiking in the Park, rest up a bit in your suite and perhaps indulge in a Jacuzzi bath to soothe those sore muscles.  Venture out again in the early evening and take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Lure with Lake Lure Tours.  Enjoy dinner at either Larkin’s on the Lake or Point of View restaurants.  Or try one of our more casual restaurants for old fashioned country cooking.  Spend a blissful night in the comfort of your suite.

              On Sunday morning, enjoy fresh coffee in your suite and some of those sinfully rich homemade cinnamon rolls that you were smart enough to pick up from either at the Cinnamon Shop or at Coffee and Crumbs on the way home from the Park yesterday.

              Take an invigorating walk on the boardwalk at the Lake Lure Marina and feed the ducks.  If time permits, take a short ride to Hendersonville for a look at a really quaint southern town.  Shop for antiques, eat at great restaurants and more.  We think your visit will be enjoyable and your time well spent. 

              Unfortunately, now it’s time to leave and return to the real world.  Now don’t you wish you had planned on staying all week?

              If you have the luxury of a longer stay, visit Bottomless Pools for another wonderfully scenic hike and picnic.  Spend a day on one of our championship golf courses that meander through the mountains.  In the summer, swim and frolic at Waterworks on Lake Lure Beach.  Great for children of all ages!

              The convenient location of the Willowbrook Inn also makes it easy to enjoy many other nearby attractions:

Asheville and the Biltmore Estate - 45 minutes

Asheville is an eclectic and artsy town which grew up around the Biltmore Estate, America's largest private home. Take a fascinating tour of this magnificent structure which rivals the great castles of Europe. Sample complimentary wines at the Estate Winery and observe the art and science of winemaking from the observation balcony.

The Blue Ridge Parkway - 40 minutes

469 miles of stunning scenery with overlooks, picnic and camping facilities, trails and wonderful cultural and shopping experiences.

Hendersonville and the Flat Rock Playhouse - 35 minutes

A wonderful example of small town America with a jewel of a downtown filled with antique and contemporary shops and great restaurants. Enjoy Broadway musicals, comedy and drama at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina.

Carl Sandburg Home - 35 minutes

Connemara provided Carl Sandburg the peace and solitude needed for his writing and Mrs. Sandburg the space to raise a prize goat herd whose descendants still live on the farm. Tour the Sandburg private residence and enjoy 5 miles of hiking trails, as well as beautiful gardens and an apple orchard.

Brevard Music Center - 1 hour

Each summer the Brevard Music Center offers over 400 students the opportunity to join professional musicians in the performance of over 80 public concerts, operas and musicals. During its 8-week season, tens of thousands of music lovers from across the U.S. are attracted to the quality performances by students and guests artists.

Pisgah National Forest and Sliding Rock - 45 minutes

Pisgah National Forest offers some of the most beautiful and rugged mountain scenery and the best recreational opportunities in eastern North America. One of the most fascinating is Sliding Rock, a naturally occurring 60' waterslide with a 7' deep pool at its base.

DuPont State Park - 45 minutes

With over 10,000 acres of forests, trails and six major waterfalls, DuPont State Park is popular with cyclists and hikers alike. If you've seen the movie, The Last of the Mohicans, you've seen just some of these dramatic falls.