Bring your sweetie to the Inn on Mill Creek for a Valentine’s getaway (with FREE chocolate on us!) and put one or more of the following activities on your list of things to do while you’re here.
First, check room availability here or call us at 828-668-1115 (9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) to reserve your getaway, then start planning your fun-filled, love-filled, weekend:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Chocolate Cupcakes and Beer Flight at Mica Town Brewing in Marion: Marion’s first brewery, Mica Town, will offer its stellar dark brews and four tasty Carolina Baking Company chocolate cupcakes while supplies last. Cupcake flights will be available starting at 4:00 p.m. www.micatownbrewing.com
Valentine’s Day at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville: One of our favorite breweries will be debuting their nitro Raspberry Chocolate Stout, the latest truffle-inspired collaboration with French Broad Chocolates, who will also be in the tasting room selling collections of truffles. https://highlandbrewing.com
The LaZoom Love Bus in Asheville: The LaZoom Bus will have a special 90-minute tour of Asheville at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Live music, champagne and French Broad chocolates, Poppy Popcorn and comedy, of course! www.lazoomtours.com
Romance at Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville: Enjoy live jazz, plus specials like champagne flights and customized items including cheese boards and chocolate truffles. Contact reservations@batteryparkbookexchange.com for special requests. http://batteryparkbookexchange.com
Valentine’s Dinner at McDowell Local in Marion: McDowell Local restaurant has put together a special four-course prix fixe menu; $50/couple. They’re also releasing Raspberry Beret, a raspberry schwarzbier brewed in collaboration with Mica Town Brewing. Reserve by email at mcdowelllocalrestaurant@gmail.com. https://mcdowelllocal.com
Valentine’s Night at the French Broad Chocolate Factory in Asheville: French Broad Chocolate’s new factory and café will be serving up wine, cheese, housemade pastries and chocolate, along with candlelight tours . Call 828-348-5187 to reserve. $40/couple; choose an 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. entry time. www.frenchbroadchocolates.com/pages/the-factory
Valentine’s Dinner at the Artisan Gourmet Market in Black Mountain: The Artisan will be serving a three-course dinner ($49/person) with an awesome wine list. Call 828-357-5500 to reserve your table. Seatings are at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. https://artisangourmetmarket.com
Valentine’s Dinner at Foothills Butcher Bar in Black Mountain: Foothills’ Black Mountain location will have limited seating for a special Valentine’s evening dinner ($59/person). Call 828-354-9029 to reserve. http://foothillslocalmeats.com/butcher-bar-black-mountain
Valentine’s Festival of Sweetness at Lookout Brewing in Black Mountain: Lookout will be hosting a sundae bar with sweet treats and root beer floats made wit their own house root beer, along with their regular beer selection. They encourage attendees to bring their own sugary treats to share. www.lookoutbrewing.com
Valentine’s Dinner at Milton’s Black Mountain: Milton’s special dinner will feature a three-course dinner, including a champagne toast and chocolate truffle for $85 per couple. Reserve your table at www.miltonsblackmountain.com/reserve
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Béla Fleck at Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville: Grammy winner Béla Fleck is a banjo master who has performed with Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Garth Brooks and The Oak Ridge Boys. Tickets are $45; show begins at 8:00 p.m. www.worthamarts.org/Online/default.asp
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Sound Healing Concert at Asheville Salt Cave: Enjoy the sounds of singing crystal bowls, unique African instruments, and various drums. $38 per person. Reservations are required and can be booked at www.ashevillesaltcave.com
Wine and chocolate pairing at South Creek Winery in Nebo: One of McDowell County’s fantastic winery holds its season opening with a special For the Love of Wine chocolate pairing. Also happening on Sunday, Feb. 17. https://southcreekwinery.com
Winter Market at Roots and Fruits in Black Mountain: Support local farmers and artisans and pick up some sweet treats at this weekly winter market, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. https://rootsandfruitsmarket.com
Asheville Jazz Orchestra at White Horse music venue in Black Mountain: The always popular Asheville Jazz Orchestra sets the perfect mood for an upbeat date night. www.whitehorseblackmountain.com
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Corn Hole Tournament at Hi-Wire Big Top in Asheville: The Council on Aging in partnership with Hi-Wire are hosting a Corn Hole Tournament from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Teams consist of two people and the price to compete is $30 per team. More details at www.coabc.org/
Beer Brunch at McDowell Local in Marion: For this monthly beer brunch, McDowell Local will feature Pisgah Brewing out of Black Mountain, pairing with a tasty brunch menu. Available until 1:00 p.m. https://mcdowelllocal.com
ALL WEEKEND LONG
The Great Backyard Bird Count: Birding enthusiasts, join us at the Inn on Mill Creek to identify and count birds during a 15-minute period on any date from Feb. 15-18. Results are shared on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird website. An estimated 160,000+ people are expected to participate around the world. http://gbbc.birdcount.org
The Art of Passion Exhibit at the Red House Gallery in Black Mountain (through March 11): The Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League is celebrating the season of love with an exhibit that showcases art jewelry, fiber art, glass art, ceramic and mixed media sculpture, acrylic, oil, pastel and watercolor painting. Handmade cards are also featured in this exhibition. www.svfalarts.org
A Vanderbilt House Party – the Gilded Age at Biltmore in Asheville (through May 27): For the first time, reproductions of clothing from the Vanderbilts’ own wardrobes are displayed in the settings in which they were originally worn: the elegant rooms of Biltmore House. www.biltmore.com/events/a-vanderbilt-house-party-the-gilded-age
Cross Pollination: Fiber, Clay and Pottery Exhibit at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville: Works by Terry Ashley, Karen-Eve Bayne, Lucy Clark and Judy Smith are featured, showcasing 2- and 3-D artwork made from fabrics, photography and pottery. www.ncarboretum.org/event/cross-pollination-fiber-clay-and-photography/2019-02-16/