Location: Montreat
Top Things to do in Montreat
Top Restaurants in Montreat
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What to do and see in Montreat, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Montreat is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 723 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is best known for Montreat Conference Center, Montreat College, and for having been the home of the evangelist Billy Graham (1918 - 2018) and his wife Ruth Bell Graham (1920 - 2007).
Restaurants in Montreat
1. Mount Mitchell State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 562 reviews
The highest mountain in the Black Mountain Range.
Reviewed By Pyra-Danny - St. Petersburg, Florida
[Warning: Young adults from Central Florida in for vacation] Okay, we cheated. We drove to the parking lot near the top and ‘hiked’ the 200 steps (on a nicely paved and gently sloping path) to the top. It’s an easy walk and there were plenty of young kids joking around while running to the top and parents pushing strollers. There were a good number of guests up there (the most we ran into on this side), but it wasn’t annoying, and it was fairly easy to enjoy the view without someone’s head getting in the way.
GREAT VIEWS FROM THE TOP
At the end is a large, elevated platform with signs showing you the surrounding 360 landscape. Plenty of photo opportunities abound including a sign telling you that you’re now on top of the tallest peak east of the Mississippi.
LITTLE SHOP AT THE BASE
Before the little walk, there’s a small museum giving information about the location, bathrooms, a little snack shop and gift shop.
2. Ten Thousand Villages
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By LowDragAL - Tennessee
I visited this store on a lark, whilst in Montreat. Found it to be a little bizarre for it to have eastern religion items at what is basically an old Presbyterian missionary retreat, but then... That aside, I found the shop to be located on a very picturesque spot alongside the lake, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. I arrived at a slow time of day and had a really nice conversation with a lady who was assisting customers. Again it was a slow business time else I wouldn't have kept her, but she was pleasant and helpful. The store is worth a visit if you are at the Conference Center or visiting Montreat.
3. Catawba Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By D2958ZXgarym - King, United States
Catawba Falls is near Old Fort, North Carolina. Although the fall has been here for thousands of years, what makes it "new" is that only just recently -- within the past ten years -- has it been accessible to the public for viewing. Although the fall itself is within national forest land, access to it was on private property. That has now changed, and a developed trail leading to Catawba Falls is now a permanent part of the Pisgah National Forest.
The 2.5-mile round-trip walking trail is a moderately-strenuous hike through the woods culminating with the very picturesque falls. They have a "forest primeval" look about them. Treat yourself to one of the lesser-seen Carolina cascades -- you'll be glad you did!
4. Looking Glass Creamery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 58 reviews
Looking Glass Creamery offers a charming little Cheese Shop onsite at their production facility where all the cheese & caramel is made. You can buy cheese retail or stay for a while and get a glass of wine and one of their beautiful cheese plates. They also sell aged meat, crackers, wine by the bottle, local mustard, bread, and cheese boards. The production floor is NOT open to the public.
Reviewed By לילך פ
We really enjoyed our visit to the creamery - which is a small shop with a small place to sit outside. There is a good variety of delicious cheese and we had a short explanation and tasting, and then choose our cheese plate and set...MoreThanks for taking part in the Cheese Trail and making us one of your stops! Glad you enjoyed everything, and look forward to having you back!
5. Charles D Owen Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Steve R - Brevard, North Carolina
In addition to the baseball, basketball and play areas here, you can also fish and hike. I am constantly looking for flat hikes along rivers or streams and this is a great one. The trail begins at the rear of the lake and follows the Swannanoa River for several miles, I walked about 2 in and back. The river was shallow (less than 6 in of water) when I was there in 9/16. It is wadable and there are many points to access the river as the path is very close to the river itself. Along the way, you will pass near a working farm with cows grazing in the flowered fields as well as some out buildings from Warren Wilson College. At times distant traffic can be heard, but the majority of the hike is quiet and private. This is a very flat earthen trail and easy to follow with just a few roots here and there. Along the way there is a beautiful bamboo stand, views of flowered pastures and more grazing cows. If you want a leisurely absolutely flat hike this is the place. The park also has shaded tables to sit and enjoy a meal after your walk.
6. Mountain Gateway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
The museum contains many items that relate to mountain life.
Reviewed By Sandy O - Sauk City, Wisconsin, United States
A small two story museum with friendly people. There are cabins etc to look into along with the regular museum type things.
7. Robert Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By mixaconsulting - Oldsmar, Florida
My husband and I stopped by at Robert Lake Park on a morning walk through the quaint town of Montreat. It is an excellent park that blends in with the natural creek and hillside of the North Carolina Mountains. Children were having a blast wading the rocky stream, as their Moms attempted to keep up. There are slides, swings, bridges, wooden boats, and MORE! We were most impressed and thought of how much fun our grandchildren would have here. Montreat has done a fabulous job of creating a park that blends in and takes advantage of the creek and terrain. Kids will LOVE it! As adults we did, too.
8. Andrews Geyser
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 54 reviews
Recently restored, the geyser is located about five miles from town.
Reviewed By hcross888 - South Carolina
Andrews is not a geyser as there is no thermal geological activity in this part of the country. That being said, this is a high fountain that does look like a geyser. It is a pretty little park with a couple picnic tables along a mountain stream. It would be a great place for a picnic and a great place to let the kids run off some energy. (However I don't think it is worth going out of your way to see.
9. Graybeard Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Hank8Raleigh - Raleigh
But what nice hiking - if you like hilly countryside. Through a very pleasant forest, near a nice mountain creek. Hiking at times up steep areas, but still hiking and not climbing. Leaving Montreat it's mostly uphill. Mostly (nearly all) with just views in the forest, rather than scenic views. A very pleasant way to get some exercise. The trail is long (3+ hours each way) but one doesn't need to hike the entire length to have a nice time and then relax hiking back down - not steep enough to be difficult to descend. The trail is in the Boggs Wilderness, a private preserve which is open to the public. Parking is available just past the Conference Center/Lake. My rating is based on your enjoying hiking. Otherwise it's not for you.
10. Arrowhead Gallery and Studios
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By satorigal - Marion, North Carolina
Local artists sell beautiful works from pottery, paintings, and wood working to smaller artistic treasures for most every pocket book. The work is as nice as at the folk art center on the parkway, but is in a much smaller studio! The art changes so I go back just to see what they have and always wish I had more dollars to spend.
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