Spring in the Blue Ridge is something you feel before you see it. The air softens. The hills begin to blush. And if you know where to look — really look — the whole mountain world is quietly waking up all around you.

One of the most beautiful places to witness that awakening is just a short drive from our front porch: the North Carolina Arboretum, nestled in the Southern Appalachians just south of Asheville.

Whether you’re a devoted plant enthusiast, a casual stroller, or someone who simply loves being outside in a gorgeous setting, the Arboretum in spring is something special. And this season, we’re making it even easier to experience — because we’ve partnered with the Arboretum to offer our guests a complimentary visit as part of our Spring Lodging Special.

What Is the North Carolina Arboretum?

Spanning 434 acres along the edge of Pisgah National Forest, the North Carolina Arboretum is one of the most botanically diverse destinations in the entire region. Its cultivated gardens showcase some of Appalachia’s most stunning native plants alongside carefully curated collections from around the world — all set against a backdrop of rolling mountain ridgelines and deep forest.

Miles of trails wind through the property, from easy garden strolls to more immersive woodland paths. The internationally acclaimed Bonsai Exhibition Garden draws visitors from across the country. And the formal gardens — in spring particularly — burst with color in a way that simply has to be seen to be believed.

It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you came to the mountains in the first place.

Spring Into the Arb: What’s Happening This Season

The Arboretum has a full calendar of spring events running March through June — and the timing of our lodging special puts you right in the heart of it. Here’s what you won’t want to miss:

✨ Asheville Orchid Festival | March 28–29

Now in its 25th year, the Asheville Orchid Festival is one of the most spectacular plant shows in Western North Carolina. Hosted by the Western North Carolina Orchid Society, this American Orchid Society-sanctioned judging event fills the Baker Visitor Center with extraordinary orchid displays. If you’ve never seen competitive-grade orchids up close, prepare to be dazzled.

✨ Music in the Mountains | April 4

Spend a Saturday surrounded by the Arboretum’s gardens and blooming mountain vistas while local musicians fill the air with live music. It’s one of those effortless, joyful days that feels like a gift. Running 10am–3pm.

✨ Arbor Day Celebration | April 11

A lovely day dedicated to the trees that define this region — honoring their ecological role, their beauty, and how to protect them in your own community. Educational and genuinely moving for anyone who has fallen in love with the Appalachian canopy.

✨ Native Azalea Day | April 18

This is the one. Native azaleas are a signature Blue Ridge spring experience, and the Arboretum’s collection is extraordinary. On Native Azalea Day, plein air artists set up throughout the gardens to paint the blooms in real time, botanists offer guided walking tours of the collection, and hands-on activities invite visitors of all ages to slow down and look closely. It’s a day that honors the beauty of this place in the most meaningful way.

Our Spring Lodging Special: Your Complimentary Arboretum Pass

Book two or more nights between March 15 and April 30, 2026, and we’ll include a complimentary North Carolina Arboretum pass for your stay. It’s our way of sending you out into the best spring in the Blue Ridge has to offer — and welcoming you back each evening to the warmth of the farm.

Return each evening to your beautifully appointed guestroom, knowing Daniel’s farm-to-table breakfast is waiting in the morning and the peaceful sounds of the countryside are just outside your window. Erica will make sure every detail of your stay is taken care of — all you have to do is show up and breathe it in.

→ Book by April 30, 2026, to claim your complimentary pass. Two-night minimum required. One pass per stay. Subject to availability.

Planning Your Visit to the Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum is located at 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 — about 30 minutes from our front door in Weaverville. The grounds are open daily from 8am–7pm during the spring season. A standard parking fee applies for non-members; we’ll provide all the details at check-in.

For the full spring events calendar and trail maps, visit ncarboretum.org.

Spring in the Blue Ridge is fleeting and luminous and worth every bit of the journey. We’d love to be your home base for it.

With warmth from the farm,

Erica & Daniel

Inn at Amaris Farms | Weaverville, NC