Have a Happy Mother's May in Asheville

What does Mom really want for Mother’s Day this year? Another bouquet of flowers and a handmade card from the kids? Maybe, but she’d probably also really enjoy a trip to the mountains of Western North Carolina. May is the best time to visit Asheville, as the weather is beautiful and temperate, an abundance of wildflowers like buttercups, Carolina Rhododendrons, flame azaleas, and more are blooming on the Blue Ridge Parkway and beyond, and festival season is getting underway in many of the surrounding towns.

You could always pack a lunch and find a spot among the wildflowers to spread out a blanket for a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. With numerous trails, overlooks, and recreation areas, the BRP provides an idyllic setting for enjoying the beauty of our mountains, flora, and fauna. The Residences at Biltmore has 2- and 3-bedroom suites when you need a place to rest your head (and your feet) after a day of exploring. Our on-site restaurant, Azalea Bar and Kitchen, can set you up with a to-go order to take with you on a picnic, or an in-suite spa service could be a hit with mom, especially one of our Signature Treatments. Make an appointment with our concierge by filling out this form.

Need some more ideas for what to do when you and Mom get here? Keep reading for a rundown of flowers, festivals, and fun throughout the month.

Biltmore Blooms

Spending a day at Biltmore is always a hit with Mom. Biltmore Blooms is the estate’s annual celebration of spring flowers, where 8,000 acres and more than 100,000 individual flowers are on display throughout the gardens. You’ll see tulips, azaleas, roses, magnolia, redbud trees, and more at their height of color. Have a particular blossom in mind? Check out the Bloom Report for a detailed list for each week.

After exploring the gardens and grounds, tour the grand home, then head to Antler Hill Village for wine tasting and shopping, or check out the "Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures" event. The new exhibit explores the culture of ancient Egypt and the discovery and treasures of Tut’s tomb, and features nearly 1,000 replicas of the goods found in his tomb. The display is at the Amherst at Deerpark™ exhibition space. Admission to the exhibit is included as an addition to some ticket options. House and Grounds tours are free for kids under 16 through May 22.

“Spring into the Arb”

The NC Arboretum is pulling out all the stops for its spring celebration this year. Through May 11, Arboretum visitors can enjoy the National Geographic exhibition, “The Greatest Wildlife Photographs,” featuring the best wildlife pictures from the pages of National Geographic magazine. Celebrate Appalachian Heritage Crafts on Heritage Craft Day, May 3, or enjoy National Public Gardens Day on May 10. The Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society will display WNC-grown roses, May 24 – 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dog Day Afternoon

Bringing your four-footed friends to Asheville with you this spring? Take them to Lake Julian in Arden on May 3 from noon to 3 p.m. for their very own festival. The Dog Day Afternoon will feature the Canines in the Clouds stunt dog performances, pet costume contests, and other activities just for your pup. Local pet-friendly businesses will feature a wide variety of pet care, pet products, pet training demos, and tasty treats for dogs.

White Squirrel Weekend

Have you ever seen a white squirrel? The adorable creatures are a fairly common sight in Brevard and towns throughout North Carolina. To pay homage to them, the city hosts a festival for Memorial Day every year. This year’s festivities will take place in downtown Brevard from May 23-25, and feature live music, a beer garden, activities for the whole family, and plenty of food vendors. You might even catch a glimpse of a white squirrel in person.

AVL Grindfest

Created to celebrate Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses, the annual AVL Grindfest is a block-party style event that will take place throughout the month at various locations. The theme this year is “Rebuilding is Everybody’s Business,” and every Saturday and Sunday during May will feature music, dancing, games, live performances, food, local vendors, learning, employment, and partnership opportunities.

Garden Jubilee

The annual Garden Jubilee event takes place in Hendersonville’s historic downtown on Main Street. From May 24-25, visitors will have access to more than 200 different plant and craft vendor tables and booths representing garden centers, orchards, produce stands, and even restaurants from around Henderson County. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.