Attractions
Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned home in America situated on 8,000 acres. It was built by George Vanderbilt and was completed in 1895. Vanderbilt commissioned Richard Morris Hun to create the 250-room mansion modeled after a French chateau. Today the Estate encompasses the house, gardens, restaurants, gift shops, and winery.
Location: I-40, exit 50, Asheville, 800-624-1575, http://www.biltmore.com
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the mountain ridges from Shenandoah National Park in Virgina to Great Smoky Mountains Natioanl Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The parkway's 469 toll-free miles combine an awesome natural beauty, mountain forests, wildlife, wildflowers and magnificent views. The Parkway was designed especially for leisure travel and enjoyment. There are numerous overlooks and parking areas to view some of America's finest scenic vistas.
http://www.blueridgeparkway.com
The North Carolina Arboretum
The NC Arboretum is a member of the University of North Carolina System and spans 426 acres. The Arboretum serves as a regional and international resource for education, conservation and offers classes, workshops and nature walks for all ages. There is much to discover when you explore the Arboretum's many trails and state-of-the-art greenhouse.
Location: 100 Frederick Law Olmstead Way, Asheville, 828-665-2492, http://www.ncarboretum.org
Grove Park Inn Resort
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is one of the South's most venerable and famous grand resorts. Built in 1913 from granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain, the resort overlooks the Asheville, North Carolina skyline and provides guests with majestic views of the legendary Blue Ridge Mountains. For decades, the Inn has been a favorite year-round destination for both leisure and business guests as the resort continues to lure future generations to its magical mountainside splendor.
Location: 290 Macon Avenue Asheville, NC 28804, 800-438-5800, http://www.groveparkinn.com
Pack Place / Downtown Asheville
The Asheville area has always been popular with artists and craftspeople, and downtown is currently home to more than 20 arts and crafts galleries. The Pack Place complex includes the Asheville Art Museum, Colbum Gem and Mineral Museum, The Health Adventure, YMI Cultural Center and the Diana Wortham Theatre.
Location: 2 Pack Square, Asheville, 828.257.4500, http://www.packplace.org
Thomas Wolfe Home
The boyhood home of the author, Thomas Wolfe, (Look Homeward, Angel) is furnished with family possessions and open for tours. A number of special events take place each year.
Location: 52 N. Market St., Asheville, 828-253-8304, http://www.wolfememorial.com
Folk Art Center
The Folk Art Center is right on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 382, east of Asheville. Quality mountain crafts in ceramic, glass, fabric and wood are on exhibit. A super craft shop with all sorts of hand crafted items will tempt you.
828-298-7928, http://www.southernhighlandguild.org/folkart.html
Pisgah National Forest
Asheville is conveniently located in the midst of the beautiful Pisgah National Forest. Pisgah covers 495,000 acres with miles of roads and multi-use trails that offer many year-round opportunities for recreation, such as camping, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Location: 1001 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Pisgah
