While a town without a single traffic light might be mistaken as sleepy, Montreat, North Carolina, proves to be quite the opposite. Here, the lack of commercial development keeps us on our toes – literally – walking through the winding streets to admire the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains. Secluded in a cove on Greybeard Mountain, our community is 20 minutes from Asheville and exudes its own calming energy.

A combination of “mountain” and “retreat,” Montreat was established in the 1900s as a spiritual haven and still strongly emphasizes religious reflection. The Montreat Conference Center is a year-round destination for church conferences and youth group gatherings, and the Christian-affiliated Montreat College provides facilities for Bible camps, elder meetings, and more.

Located near the Eastern Continental Divide, Montreat brims with natural beauty. Mountain vistas and flowing streams enhance the town’s serenity, and rustic bridges and nature trails provide ample opportunity to explore the regional flora and fauna.

The relaxing accommodations in the Montreat area include charming inns, rustic lodges, and intimate bed and breakfasts. In Asheville, the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa offers beauty treatments, a golf course, and more. You’ll also find plenty of culinary delights, from satisfying comfort food to international cuisine, as well as an authentic German restaurant and a seafood and steakhouse.

Whether you’re communing with nature or with your higher power, Montreat provides all the inspiration you could need. You’ll be amazed how recharged you feel once you unplug and kick back, in Montreat.