Brevard, North Carolina: Things to See and Do

Nestled at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, North Carolina has become an attractive destination for outdoor tourists and a popular retirement spot. Here are some of the must see attractions and activities that Brevard and the surrounding area has to offer.

White Squirrels

Brevard is home to some fairly unique little critters, the white squirrels of Brevard. Legend has it that the white squirrel colony got started with escapees of a passing carnival. According to the local White Squirrel Institute, about one quarter of the squirrel in town are white, which accounts for roughly 1000 squirrels with this unique coloring. These little guys are all over the place and make for a fun photo opportunity. Although most of the white squirrels are all white, they have dark eyes like regular squirrels and are not strictly albino. The white squirrels themselves don't seem to know that there is anything special about them. When they are surprised, the will freeze and flatten themselves against the bark of a tree, thinking that they are still able to blend in with the gray bark.

Brevard Music Center

The Brevard Music Center is summer music institute with approximately 400 students studying primarily orchestra and chamber music from June through August. There are three venues at the center which host more than eighty musical performances per year. Here amongst the peace and quiet of the Carolina foothills, visitors can enjoy world-class orchestral music in a relatively intimate setting.

Entertainment

Other than music, the tourism business in Brevard ensures that there are plenty of options for entertainment in Brevard. Some traditional entertainment venues include the Falls Cinema movie house, Strikes Again Bowling and Zero Gravity Skate Park. Those who are feeling more adventurous might do some training for their next big wilderness outing with Fox Mountain Guides or the Brevard Rock Gym.

Outdoor Destinations

Outdoor and nature enthusiasts will find no shortage of things to check out around Brevard. There are many waterfalls near by, most notably Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock. Sliding Rock provides some extra recreational activities for visitors who brave sliding down the side of the slipper slide waterfall down to the deep pool below. The nearby Cradle of Forestry is an excellent resource for learning more about Pisgah National Forest and forestry in general.

Sources:

http://whitesquirrels.com/cart/
http://www.brevardnc.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brevard_Music_Center
http://www.cradleofforestry.com/