Asheville, NC is a lively, sophisticated
Smoky Mountains city that's home to the Vanderbilt's
Biltmore Estate, the leading attraction of the Great
Smoky Mountains, second only to the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park (GSMNP).
Asheville NC was just
another small western North Carolina town
until 1889 when the venerable George Vanderbilt
visited and was impressed by all he saw. He
returned shortly after his visit and purchased over
100,000 acres to develop the beautiful estate
now called Biltmore. Nearby, Vanderbilt founded
a model village--Biltmore Village--and also brought
in experts on forestry, architecture, landscape design
to deveop the European look the estate retains.
In addition to the Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC has
much to offer the traveler. Asheville has some great
lodging accommodations including hotels and many
wonderful B&Bs--not to mention the rustic and luxury cabins in
the surrounding mountains. Choose from a fine selection
of restaurants with a wide variety of cuisine (More
on restaurants). Entertainment-wise,
the city of Asheville has a symphony orchestra,
minor league baseball (Asheville Tourists), and offerings
at community theaters. For those especially interested
in shopping, enjoy the Lexington,
Pack Square, and Battery Hill
shopping Districts.
Asheville's downtown comprises 60 square blocks
with architecture dating from the years 1890-1930.
Asheville NC is surrounded by mountains: the Newfound
Mountains, the Bald Mountains, the Pisgah
Mountains, and the Great Balsams. This
group of mountains boasts the highest peak
in the east--Mt. Mitchell at 6,690 feet. And at the
base of these mountains sits Asheville NC in the
impressive valley through which the French Broad River
runs.
Asheville's special events
include Lake Eden Arts Festival the
last weekend in May; the Mountain Dance and
Folk Festival the first weekend in August; Village
Art and Craft Fair the first weekend in August; Craft
Fair of the Southern Highlands in mid-October,
and Belle Chere festival during the last weekend
in July. Belle Chere events control the downtown
area for 3 days and offers rock and pop,
jazz, and bluegrass music,
plus street food vendors providing many types of
cuisine.
Asheville
puts a lot of effort preparing for very active
travelers. Gardens and parks offer fishing and
walking; outdoor outfitters are available to help
with rock climbing, ballooning, and whitewater rafting;
bicycle shops assist you with bikes; and there are
several resort golf courses and horseback-riding
stables.
