The Ultimate Guide To Asheville and the Western North Carolina Mountains
Relocation Guide to Asheville
 

Located just ten miles east of Asheville on Interstate 40 is the charming mountain city of Black Mountain NC, known as “The Front Porch of Western North Carolina". One of the hallmarks of Black Mountain is the magnificent view of the nearby Black Mountains, including Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and the famous Seven Sisters range. Known for its arts & crafts and antiques, Black Mountain has many top quality galleries, antique and specialty shops, bookstores, and furniture stores. The epicenter of this eclectic mix of stores is the historic Cherry Street district. The community also offers a diverse program of outdoor recreation with golf at the Black Mountain Golf Club, public tennis, ball-fields, croquet, and walking paths, including a spectacular one at Lake Tomahawk.
   In the Swannanoa Valley, where Black Mountain is located, is the largest concentration of religious conference centers in the world, including Montreat Conference Center, Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center, Christmount Retreat, Camp & Conference Center, Cragmont Assembly, The Cove -Billy Graham Training Center, United Re-search/Light Center and the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.
    Black Mountain is also host to the famous Sourwood Festival and the bi-annual Lake Eden Arts Festival, also known as LEAF. Black Mountain is also host to the famous Sourwood Festival and the bi-annual Lake Eden Arts Festival, also known as LEAF. 
   The Swannanoa Valley, home to the unicorporated community of Swannanoa,  has been a coveted spot for hundreds of years. The Cherokee Indians guarded the mountainous ridges while would-be settlers from what is now Old Fort looked westward towards the game-filled forests. The Cherokee boundary was moved farther west in the late 1780s and settlers rapidly rushed through the Swannanoa Gap into the coves to establish homesteads along the many creeks and rivers. By 1850, there was a turnpike up the mountains from the east, but one so steep that wheels on the wagons had to be larger on one side to make the journey up and then switched to the other side to make the journey down. In 1879, the railroad arrived and changed things forever. Black Mountain has been known as a tourist destination and a wonderful place to vacation and live ever since.
      Montreat is a small residential community adjacent to Black Mountain, located in a secluded mountain cove at the foot of Greybeard Mountain. Montreat is home to the Montreat Conference Center which currently hosts religious conferences throughout the year, and Montreat College, a four-year Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

City Website: : Town Offices, 160 Midland Avenue, Black Mountain NC 28711; 828-419-9300
Location: Central Mountains, 10 minutes east of Asheville
Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: The Ultimate Guide To Asheville & the Western North Carolina Mountains
County: Buncombe County: County Offices, 205 College Street, Asheville NC 28801; 828-250-4000
Elevation & Population: 2405 feet, 8000+
Visitor/Welcome Center: Black Mountain-Swannanoa Visitor Center  201 East State St., Black Mountain, NC 28711; 800-669-2301
City Chamber of Commerce: Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce 201 East State St., Black Mountain, NC 28711; 800-669-2301
County Chamber of Commerce: Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce  205 College Street, Asheville NC 28801; 828-250-4100