M5 Driving Experience Questions - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

ciskaj · 13th May 2002, 14:35

1. What is the best airport to fly in to?

2. What other activities, sites, attractions, golf courses are nearby?

3. Is it worth taking a few extra days after the Driving Experience to explore the area?

Thanks for any input on the topic.

JFB · 13th May 2002, 16:52

The closest airport is Greenville/Spartanburt (GSP). It's two freeway exits from the Performance Center. You can set up a fare watch on Travelocity.

I don't know the immediate GSP area very well. You do get to drive North to Asheville NC to visit the Biltmore mansion as part of the DE, but it's mostly on freeway.

The Blue Ridge Mountains to the Northwest are gorgeous (it's where they filmed The Last of the Mohicans). There is great driving on the twisty roads through the mountains.

My wife and I have stayed several times at the Greystone Inn on Lake Toxaway in NC. The area is chock-a-block with artisans, antique shops, etc. The Inn offers golf, tennis, use of their boats on the lake, and they will even take you out water skiiing -- all gratis. The owners (Tim and Boo Boo) are very gracious.

willwin2day · 14th May 2002, 03:35

As previously mentioned, the best airport in close proximity to the PC is Greenville/ Spartanburg (GSP). However, Charlotte (NC) is about an hour north and Atlanta is about 1.5 hours south. You definitely should plan several extra days in the area. Since I do not live in Greenville/Spartanburg, I cannot comment that much about that area, however, I can tell you anything you want to know about the Asheville area. There are many attractions in the Asheville area, and I would definitely recommend www.groveparkinn.com. They have just recently added a multimillion dollar spa that both you and your wife thoroughly enjoy! If you want some neat mountain roads in our area, let me know and I will be happy to share them with you (unfortunately, we cannot go to Hertz for a M5 if you are flying in!) :-)

Donnie Isley

HotRod · 14th May 2002, 06:32

A buddy and I drove down, and stayed an extra day to hit the links (3/12-3/15). We played one of the top 2 courses in Greenvillle called Verdae Greens Golf Club. It ws nothing special in my opinion, but I'm used to some of the best golf courses you can play anywhere (Michigan) so maybe I'm spoiled......

I think the other top-notch course was called River Falls Plantation, which is a Gary Player design. Verdae Greens was done by Byrd, who has done a lot of "southern" courses. It couldn't hold a candle to the ones up here though!!

You will have a blast at the DE!! Get plenty of sleep the night before you do the track time...you'll need it!!!!!

HotRod

zoom · 14th May 2002, 22:20

If it is convenient for you, Greenville/Spartnaburg is a great airport. Small, no long security lines and 5 minutes from the DE. They have non stop jet service to most of the major hubs-- Chicago, Detroit, Houston and Newark.

As for fun, there is a new hotel at the Biltmore which is suppossed to be very nice. It would give you more time to see everything up there. The Great Soky Mtns are beuatiful but I do not know of a good place to stay.

There is a new Ritz Carlton resort called Reynolds Plantation in Eastern Georgia with a new goldf course. You can check out their web-site. It should not be too far from Greenville.

We had a great dinner after the last night of the DE at Chophouse 49-- a steakhouse across from the Marriott. It was convenient and much better than the hotel food.

HAVE FUN!

Richard in NC · 15th May 2002, 02:25

Ciskaj & Hotrod;
Flying into Charlotte is another possibility. But you may not save money that way since it is mostly US Air. It is an hour north-east from Spartanburg. I'm not much of a golfer so I can't advise you on that but there are tons of courses in the Charlotte area, some even PGA caliber such as Quail Hollow & Piper Glen. I'm sure those are private and expensive. I have only been on a few of the "cheapie, next to a land fill" type of courses. There are plenty of other things to do in town if you have the time such as Discovery Place science museum or the Mint art museum. If you are more into scenery, ignore my advice and head to the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Great Smokies like the other replies suggest.

AndrewNJM5@home · 17th May 2002, 17:30

I just got back yesterday from the M5DE. I drove down from NJ to hook up with a buddy who lives in Charlotte, NC. Golf in NC is great compared with the public courses in NJ. We were able to get almost a full round of golf in after our second day (driving to the Builtmore in an M Roadster) at River Falls. Nice course, very close to the Performance Center, but has a number of corporate events in the afternoons, so make sure you call ahead!

BTW- The M5 Driving Experience is great! Great instructors, great adgenda, only wish that it wasn't a one time deal.