Ideas for day-trip/hike while in Asheville for a wedding?

We%26#39;re coming to Asheville on 6/19 for my cousin%26#39;s wedding at Deerfields. We%26#39;re going to have a free day on Sunday, and would like to do something in the way of a day trip...something outdoorsy, maybe a hike?

We%26#39;ll have cars available to us...any suggestions would be great!

Is Max Bald Patch worth doing if that was our main activity for the day?

Ideas for day-trip/hike while in Asheville for a wedding?

June 19th is a great time to take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Asheville. The flame azaleas, mt.laurel and the rhododenrun will all be in bloom. Take a picnic hike Graveyard Fields to the waterfalls. Make sure and bring a camera.

Another day trip is to Roan Mountain. The rododenruns are in full bloom on the mountain.

http://www.roanmountain.com/

Ideas for day-trip/hike while in Asheville for a wedding?

There are lots of great hikes to be had, but dont get married ( bad pun) to the idea of panoramic views from Max Patch blad or anyplace else. The summer haze has already settled in and on most days there will be haze limiting your view. The up-close scenrery is good, although you%26#39;re getting late for the laurels and azealas , even at high elevations. If hiking is your thing, I%26#39;d go up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Graveyard Fields or just a bit further to the Black Balsam trail, since both of those are open bowls with lots of views and water. Another option is DuPont State Forest SW of Asheville, where you can hike to Triple Falls, High Falls and Hooker Falls and stip off your hiking shoes and soak in the pools below the falls at Triple Falls.

If I came from Chicago and had just one free day, however, I would go whitewater rafting with NOC on the French Broad River north of Asheville, take a full-day ( 4-5 hour) trip that ends up in two great rapids, swim in the river, and opt for a duckie, a personal inflatable kayak that requires no previous paddling experience, rather than ride in a raft.

Have fun!

If you want something kind of easy and low key - but w/ opportunities for more strenuous hikes the Arboreteum may fit the bill. It is $6 per car and there are hikes along the river and thorugh the forests. They have a wonderful bonsai exhibit.