Destination: Asheville, North Carolina

If you like a multi-tasking destination with parks and nature trails, restaurants and shopping, and a chance to visit one of the most spectacular homes in America – Asheville, North Carolina is the destination for you.

I had been trying to get to Asheville for many years and finally decided to just “GO!” Anyone who knows anything at all about Fall “leaf peeping” tourist season will also know that Asheville room rates increase each year in October for this very reason. I plotted my course to get me in after the worst of summer heat, and at a good rate for accommodation. More on that later this week.

It would be a crime for anyone visiting Asheville for the first time to miss a visit to the Biltmore Estate.

I won’t go into all the details, because the link above will provide those. However, I was AMAZED at the sheer size of the Biltmore mansion, the rooms, the grounds, and even the furniture necessary to manage such a large home. The shuttle bus driver who whisks you from the outlying parking zone to the estate itself mentioned that there are 43 bathrooms in the Biltmore Mansion – none of which tourists can use!

The Biltmore management has done an excellent job of making the house and grounds accommodating for visitors. Restaurants and shops, (and restrooms) are easily accessed and there are headphones available to rent for those who want to listen to details about what they will be seeing inside the house itself.

I then took a meandering drive through the woods to Antler Hill Farm.

This is a great stop for kids – especially those who don’t get to the “country” often. They can see the Kitchen Garden and have a little “face time” with some real hens and chickens. Adults will like the fare offered at Cedric’s Tavern and I must admit to not making it past The Creamery without a double-dip chocolate ice cream cone!

The town of Asheville was a bit of a surprise to me – even NOT being there at the height of either the summer or fall tourist seasons. This town of some 75,000 residents is BUSY – at nearly all hours!

Galleries, boutique and quirky shops, restaurants, and street musicians…the somewhat bohemian flair of downtown Asheville will require a day’s worth of your time to fully explore. Don’t miss the Grove Arcade and if you’re traveling with pets in this pet-friendly area, stop in and grab them a treat at the Three-Dog Bakery downtown.

I’m not a restaurant critic, but I can tell you that dining choices are abundant! From 5 star formal dining to informal sandwich shops, you will not go hungry in Asheville. Word to future visitors, if you are dining out on Friday or Saturday nights – making advance reservations for most top restaurants is strongly recommended.

Did I mention parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the scenic vistas surrounding Asheville? More on that tomorrow…with a visit to Craggy Gardens!

Links:
Asheville Visitor Information
Weekly Fall Color Report
Biltmore – Hours & Directions
Biltmore – Ticket and Reservations

SCOOP: Order your tickets online in advance and SAVE big! Just pick them up at the Estate “Will Call” window and off you go!

Country Vacations and Resorts