Explore The Omni Grove Park Inn

The natural rough stone exterior and striking Christmas-y red clay tile roof of the Omni Grove Park Inn, which sits on a slope of Sunset Mountain, offer a rustic contrast to the massive French Renaissance chateauesque architecture of the Biltmore House. The resort's large lobby will be decorated as will the tall Christmas tree in it. The massive stacked-stone fireplaces – about 10 feet wide by 7 feet tall and 7 feet deep – will have a huge natural wreath above it. And the winning creations of the Annual National Gingerbread House Competition will be on display at the resort from November 27 through January 5. Other special events this year include a Blue Ridge Christmas Eve artisanal buffet and holiday movie screenings.

The Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville. 828-252-2711, www.groveparkinn.com

Explore North Carolina Arboretum Winter Light Show

This public garden sitting pretty in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest within the Pisgah National Forest about 10 miles south of downtown Asheville offers up a great Christmas holiday light show with 500,000 lights, some synchronized to holiday music, and a 50-foot tall Christmas tree sparkles with 8,000 lights of its own. And there's an outdoor s'mores spot! The Winter Light Show is on from November 18 to New Year's Day. This year, the Arboretum's Savory Thyme Cafe will also offer a special holiday buffet every weekend during the holiday season.

North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville. 828-665-2492, www.ncarboretum.org

Explore Downtown Asheville

While there are some special places to experience Asheville during the Christmas season, the truth is the city's funky downtown is appealing in itself at Christmas. All spruced up with holiday decorations, just take a walk around the modestly sized downtown and see what you bump into. Pack Square Park will be aglow with holiday decorations. The Grove Arcade will be decorated and its shops and eateries sure to have special holiday offerings. Stroll up and down Haywood, Lexington, Broadway, Wall Street. Take a LaZoom Holiday Tour. Stop by Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar, perhaps my favorite spot in downtown Asheville, for a holiday toast.

Explore Asheville, 36 Montford Avenue, Asheville. 828-258-6129, www.exploreasheville.com/iconic-asheville/downtown

Asheville's Holiday Parade is set for November 19 and though there is no centralized New Year's Eve celebration, there will be plenty of celebrations going on at individual resorts, bars, nightclubs and other places.