The Vision
In the late 1880s, George W. Vanderbilt, then a young man of 25, came upon the perfect spot in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains for a 250-room French Renaissance chateau to be built by his friend, architect Richard Morris…
During your Biltmore visit, don't miss the winery! Access to the winery is included in your admission ticket, and you drive by it on your way out of the estate. Reservations are now required on the day of wine tastings, so make reservations early…
Find the 40 best spots for bird watching in the Asheville area of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. If you are into birding, our many protected forests and parks are especially great places to be! These are all stops on the North Carolina…
This hard-working non-profit group raises money and coordinates projects to protect Pisgah National Forest (Ranger District) and help fund some much needed repairs. We are delighted to be a Founding Member!
Buy art and support the restoration of the historic school in Banner Elk. Find a big variety of artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry, and more. Many other things to do nearby. 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission.
The amazing Monarch Butterfly migrates 2,000+ miles each fall from the Northeast United States to Mexico, passing through the Asheville area in September and early October. They usually travel at treetop level along mountain ridges, so they are…
Enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway by exploring some of its many hiking trails near Asheville. There’s a big variety of hikes, ranging from easy strolls to strenuous climbs. Since finding the perfect day hike that offers plenty of mountain scenery can…
Be sure to take time to stop at the Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks to soak in the views! Here are the overlooks near Asheville by Milepost, from north to south. Often, these overlooks will have connecting trails or other points of interest. And…
Of the 26 tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 25 of them are in North Carolina near Asheville! We've listed them below by milepost, from north to south. To go north on Parkway from the city, enter from U.S. Highway 70 east of town (at Milepost 382…
Robert Redford’s 2015 movie A Walk in the Woods (release date is September 2) is about hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) and rediscovering America. After seeing the movie or reading the book, you're sure to be inspired to #takeahike in the…
Looking for a beautiful spot for a leisurely stroll to enjoy nature in the middle of the city? Go to the Botanical Gardens of Asheville, located just two miles from downtown at the University of North Carolina in Asheville. The garden collections…
Celebrated as North Carolina’s Land of Waterfalls, Brevard and Transylvania County have much more than gorgeous cascades. Their All-American Main Street is full of local shops, galleries, and great restaurants. A stately courthouse sits on the…
Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands has been famous for generations as the only waterfall in North Carolina you can drive behind. However, the section of road behind the falls is now blocked off from automobiles for safety. This allows you to walk…
The Brown Mountain Lights are a series of ghost lights reported sporadically for many years near Brown Mountain in North Carolina. The lights have been seen at several locations about 60-70 miles northeast of Asheville in Burke County. Brown…
Downton Abbey made its final return to Biltmore from June 27, 2020 - September 7, 2020. This nationally touring exhibition featured set recreations, costumes, and never-before-seen multimedia elements. Unlike the 2015 costume show inside the…
This modest 25-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest is just 1.8 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (NC Highway 215). It's a short but steep hike to get a closer look at Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades. There…
The hike to the summit of Mount Cammerer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is accessible via a trail from the Big Creek area, just off Interstate 40 near the North Carolina/Tenneessee line (about 50 miles from Asheville). The Big Creek…
Located in Asheville's historic Omni Grove Park Inn, Gallery of the Mountains celebrates the artistic talent of Southern Appalachia. Discover curated collections of finely crafted jewelry, pottery, home décor, unique gifts, and Asheville-made…