Asheville is well worth the 30 minute drive. Both downtown and the surrounding area offer tons of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, local culture, and outdoor adventures.
Black Mountain is just a short 10 minute drive away & offers many great shops and restaurants, musical entertainment, outdoor events, and a golf course.
Enjoy a short half mile walk down to Lake Susan where you will find the Montreat Store, the Huckleberry cafe, the Nature Hut for information on hikes, and a children's park.