In Asheville and the neighboring Blue Ridge Mountains, the winter months of December, January, February, and March are the most tranquil of the year. Around the holidays, Asheville transforms into a winter wonderland of lights and decorations. As Christmas approaches, many people want to watch the snowfall in the cold, and it's an excellent time to visit North Carolina's mountains with loved ones.

Unfortunately, winter can be especially difficult for the elderly. Cold weather can aggravate joints and muscle pain and snow can make roads, driveways, and walkways dangerously slippery. However, with the correct transit plan, seniors in Asheville do not have to stay home all winter. Here are some winter outings for seniors to enjoy.

Five Winter Outings for Seniors in the Asheville Area

1. The North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum, located just south of Asheville in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, has acres of well-kept gardens and manicured walks with some of the region's most attractive and botanically diverse species.

Visitors of all ages can participate in educational programs, excursions, festivals, and garden demonstrations at the Arboretum. Winter Lights, a spectacular open-air walk-through light show, is held at The Arboretum in November and December.

2. Spend the Holidays at Biltmore Estate

Spend the holiday season at America's largest mansion, the Biltmore Estate. You can experience the mansion's Christmas transformation, which includes amazing decorations, candlelight evening experiences, and live music. 

The estate is magically decorated with over 25,000 ornaments and 100,000 glittering lights. Each holiday season at Biltmore is unique, with its own theme and color scheme. Visitors can tour the estate, its gardens, and trails during the day, as well as participate in seasonal decor courses, and visit the winery.

3. Shop Around at Biltmore Village

The historic Biltmore Village offers a charming assortment of shops, lodging, and restaurants, which is a pleasant way to spend a winter afternoon. Here you'll find village businesses, galleries, artworks, clothing, household goods, custom-designed jewelry, and more. This could be combined with a tour of the Biltmore Estate and shopping at the property's Antler Hill Village.

4. Run Errands with Safe Transportation for Seniors

There is nowhere in the Asheville area that’s off-limits as long as seniors have safe transportation in place. Loyal Lifts Transportation provides senior, elderly, and wheelchair-accessible transportation to people in western North Carolina. 

We offer chauffeur quality, personal service in a custom, luxury, upfitted vehicle custom designed to accommodate mobility issues and disabilities. Our drivers have years of corporate driving experience to ensure seniors get to where they need and want to go safely, whether it’s the doctor, grocery shopping, or a fun-filled winter day exploring art galleries and shopping.

If you or someone you love needs reliable, safe transportation this winter, contact the team at Loyal Lifts to schedule a ride.