g Arden & Mills River

Christmas lights at the NC Arboretum. HOLLY KAYS

Buncombe & Henderson Counties

ARDEN & MILLS RIVER

Aheavyweight in American craft brewing put Mills River on the map in 2014, when Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. opened its $200 million, 217-acre facility in the rural community, right next door to the Asheville Regional Airport.

As one of the pioneers of the craft beer industry, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is a leader in their field and maker of some of the finest microbrews for over 40 years. Based out of Chico, California, the company’s East Coast headquarters in Mills River hosts brewery tours, a restaurant, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for a heavy rotation of live music events.

Despite the arrival of the national brewery, the communities of Arden and Mills River still offer a lot of room to roam.

AGENT’S CHOICE: “Try Our Recipe Roots in Flat Rock. They are a familyowned local bakery that specializes in all types of pies, delicious cinnamon rolls, cookies, and many other baked goods. Get there early since they usually run out.”

The South Buncombe area is also home to the North Carolina Arboretum, an extraordinary public garden that adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 434-acre Arboretum has 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, hosts one of the most unique bonsai collections in the country, and stages a steady stream of exhibits on subjects ranging from mountain quilts to rare plants.

Nearby is the Bent Creek Research and Demonstration Forest, a federal facility that’s part of the Pisgah National Forest, and the Lake Powhatan Recreational Area, which together offer dozens of mountain trails and lakeside camping sites.

A favorite Arden locale for kids is Jake Rusher Park, a huge public park with playgrounds and a walking area. One of the play areas includes several castle-like structures, so some locals call the facility “Castle Park.”

One of Arden’s most historic structures is the Blake House Inn Bed & Breakfast, which was built as a summer retreat in 1847. The house is a rare example of Italianate architecture with Gothic Revival influences. It has been restored and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Mills River Park opens at dawn and closes at dusk, and offers a 1.2-mile multi-use trail, a dog park, playground with sunshade, swings, restroom facilities, picnic shelter, tennis/pickleball courts, handicapped accessible fishing pier, and canoe/kayak launch.

The town of Mills River is also in the design phase for the Mills River Valley Trail, a new path along N.C. 280 creating a safe route for walking and biking, and linking the heart of Mills River to the French Broad River.

Another nearby community, Skyland, is home to scores of additional eateries and shops and more recreation facilities. The county-run Zeugner Center has a heated indoor pool, measuring 35-by-75 feet, that hosts water exercise classes and open swim times for the public.

A major attraction in the Skyland area is Biltmore Park Town Square, a modern town-center-style development boasting smart growth, green living, and reduced driving. The development links condominium living with shopping, restaurants, cafés and gathering spots, spas and health clubs, and businesses and employers. Storefronts include national retailers like LOFT and REI, as well as Barnes & Noble.

The 300-acre Lake Julian and surrounding park in Skyland offer picnicking spots, boating, MORE AT fishing, and a playground. The BEVERLY-HANKS.COM lake has an abundance of fish, including bass, brim, catfish, crappie, and tilapia. Anglers Make every day an adventure! Whether you’re vacationing or stay-cationing, we've put can fish from the shore and, together a quick itinerary for for a small fee, from privately a fun-filled weekend in Mills owned or rented boats. The park also rents paddle boats River at beverly-hanks.com/ blog/48-hours-mills-river. and canoes, and provides free use of a pontoon boat for people with disabilities, senior citizens, and student groups. On the shore, there’s a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits.

The park is open year round, though the hours vary with the seasons. In addition to the regular offerings, Lake Julian is center stage for special annual events, including fireworks displays on July 4, fishing tournaments, and the Winter Festival of Lights. n