Last updated on December 17th, 2019 at 02:26 am
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mazda. As always all opinions are my own.
I’ve been meaning to visit Asheville since moving to North Carolina. I’ve driven through the mountains near there more than once, and they’re gorgeous. And, living in North Carolina, you hear from everyone what a fun and interesting city Asheville is.
When I was recently provided with a 2019 Mazda3 for the week, it seemed like the perfect chance to hit the road. It’s always fun to drive a new car, and I wanted to take it out a little further than just my neighborhood. My husband I planned a quick weekend trip to the North Carolina mountains.
This was my car for the week, the 2019 Mazda3 Hatchback.
The Mazda3 is a smaller and sportier-feeling car than the one I drive every day, but I liked that. It was so easy to maneuver into parking spots and in city traffic. And, though the Mazda3 isn’t a big car, my husband and I were very comfortable, with plenty of leg and head room. We had plenty of space for our luggage and a few extra goodies we picked up on our trip too.
There is so much to see and do in Asheville, but with only a couple of days, we had to make some choices. The night we arrived, we decided to take a drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway before it got dark. It was pretty dreary outside, but the views were still gorgeous. Photos definitely don’t do the views justice. I’m anxious to go back in the fall when the leaves change color.
The Mazda3 was easy to drive up and down the mountain roads, and I loved all the safety features, especially since we hit bad weather. Keep reading for more.
Once we got back to Asheville, we went headed downtown, which is a good idea anytime. There are tons of great restaurants, shops, and on Friday nights, a drum circle. Check out the video–
Every Friday in the spring, summer, and fall, people gather at downtown Asheville’s Pritchard Park for a drum circle (weather permitting). You’re invited to drum, dance, or simply watch and enjoy.
With so many restaurants to choose from downtown, you’re sure to find something you like. We wound up at Sonora where we had some great tacos!
Saturday was our only full day in Asheville, but unfortunately it was thunderstorming much of the day. We’d been thinking of doing a food tour so we could check out more of the city, but since it was raining, we bought tickets to tour the Biltmore Estate. I’m so glad things worked out the way they did because the house is spectacular! If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommended it.
Construction began on George Vanderbilt’s 250-room French Renaissance chateau in 1889. Biltmore House is the largest private home in the United States.
The Biltmore House even has a bowling alley, gym, and indoor swimming pool. Servants needed to reset the pins.
Sunset at the Biltmore Estate.
Our time in Asheville went way too fast. There is so much to do that we just didn’t have time for, so we will definitely be heading back–hopefully in the near future.
I don’t usually enjoy these long drives, but the Mazda3 made the trip so comfortable that it went by quickly. Why? Here’s some of what there is to love–
— It drives like a dream. I don’t like driving big SUVS and minivans. Smaller cars are what I prefer, and the 2019 Mazda3 was everything I love. It’s sporty, has so much “get up and go,” and is fun to drive in the city and on the highway.
— The interior is luxurious. You sink right into the seats, and everything looks so high-end. I loved the two-tone red and black in the car I got to drive. Take a look for yourself!
— The navigation system was great, but I could also use my phone and Google Maps. My phone and music, and the whole bluetooth system, sound system, and display worked well overall. (My husband was especially impressed with the Bose sound system.) I loved the backup camera too. It seemed to give me a broader view than what I’m used to seeing.
— I haven’t even mentioned safety yet, and this is perhaps the one thing that impressed me most about the Mazda3. I felt more secure in knowing I was driving with i-Activsense® safety features like these:
- Adaptive Front-lighting System illuminates a greater distance and changes depending on vehicle speed and other driving factors, pointing the headlights in the direction the driver is traveling towards.
- Smart City Brake Support uses a sensor on the front of the windshield that detects potential hazards in front of the vehicle. When traveling at low speeds, the system is able to add power to the brakes, and in the event the driver takes no action to try to avoid the collision, the system will automatically apply the brakes and reduce engine power.
- Blind Spot Monitoring uses radars to detect vehicles that may be in your vehicle’s blind spot. If the driver tries to change lanes and there is a vehicle detected in the blind spot, the system will alert the driver.
- High-Beam Control switches between high and low beams based on oncoming and preceding traffic.
- Acceleration Control stops sudden and accidental acceleration and is able to lower engine output to avoid any sort of collision.
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control adjusts and maintains a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front by use of a millimeter wave radar. The Distance Recognition Support System displays following distance to the driver.
- Rear Vehicle Monitoring System measures the distance between your vehicle and following vehicles with a rear bumper-mounted radar that will alert the driver of potentially dangerous situations.
- Lane Departure Warning System is able to detect road markings and keeps the driver aware of their position on the road.
- Forward Obstruction Warning calculates the distance between objects and the front of the vehicle, alerting the driver of any potentially dangerous situations.
You can see these features for yourself here. They really are incredible!
Are you in the market for a new vehicle? Check out the 2019 Mazda3 Hatchback! I know you’ll love it as much as I did.
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What a nice car. I love the color. Thanks for posting!
Lovely place to visit. Now I want that car…..
I love my Mazda 6 and am thinking about getting a cuv. The 3 looks nice but I think it’s a little smaller than what i am wanting. I love NC but have never been to that part of NC.
Looks like a great place to visit!
Interesting reading. Trip looks very interesting. Thanks for having the sweepstakes!
Whoa the Biltmore Estate looks incredible!
That’s a nice looking car and Asheville seems to be a fun place to visit.
Wow, that’s a nice car. I haven’t been to Asheville, NC since I was a kid. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve never been to Asheville, NC but have been to Cherokee, NC. I’ve always wanted to go to Asheville! North Carolina is such a beautiful place! I wouldn’t mind moving there! I wouldn’t mind driving that Mazda either!
Thank you for sharing this
Oh this looks lovely! I might have to add this as a stop on one of my upcoming road trips. 🙂
I’ve been to Ashville a few times and love it. So much to see and do. Loving that Mazda. Would love to take a road trip in that. Looks really comfy.
My hubby and I are looking forward to a fall trip to Asheville.
My dad took me there a couple of times when I was a little girl. It is very beautiful!
Visiting the Biltmore Estate is something on my list. My husband has been over 25 years ago before we were married and tells me I would love it!
My husband’s side of the family is from Asheville and his mother was raised there, but I have only been once (when on a trip while en route to another destination). It was so beautiful, and it reminded me in many ways of Northern California (where I am from). I absolutely do want to go to the Biltmore Estate someday with the family, and my kids are now old enough to enjoy it as well.
I have wanted to go to Asheville for years now… but every time we go through NC it’s either not close enough or there’s a time crunch. 🙁 It looks like a great place and hopefully I’ll soon get to see it all for myself!
I would love to see The Biltmore estate
I’ve never been to North Carolina before and the Mazda3 looks real interesting too!