Asheville, North Carolina Vacations

Asheville, North Carolina
blends the quaint atmosphere of the South with the ruggedness of the
Blue Ridge Mountains
and the energy of a thriving urban area. This is a city that celebrates the four seasons in all their glory. Glistening white winters make way for the fragrant flowers of spring. The cool mountain air of summer provides a refuge from the heat and humidity. When autumn arrives, you find yourself lost in a kaleidoscope of colors. No wonder so many filmmakers have chosen
Asheville
for their location. When visiting
Asheville
, you can stroll through the waterfall where Daniel Day Lewis fled form his enemies in Last of the Mohicans, or relive the intrigues of young love on the lake where Dirty Dancing was filmed.

AshevilleNorth Carolina
is a place where you can find joy in the simplest activities. Wander through a European-styled Chateau, or take a mountain hike. Find serenity as you sit by one of
Asheville
's many waterfalls. You can even go skiing at some of the resorts in the neighboring towns!

AshevilleNorth Carolina
is the home of Thomas Wolfe, author of Look Homeward, Angel. Throughout the years, many of the rich and famous have moved to this city. Their elegant and stately homes add a touch of class to
Asheville
's charming persona. The artisans, who in the late 1800s worked on George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate, set a tradition of craftsmanship in
Asheville
. This tradition heightened in the 1930s, when Bauhaus artists fleeing Nazi Germany were lured by
Asheville
's beauty and isolation. Later, they created an artists colony at

Black
Mountain
College

.

The ever-present existence of an artistic community is perhaps what influenced
Asheville
's unique diversity of architectural styles. Take a stroll around downtown
Asheville
, where you will see some of the best art deco architecture in the country. These buildings were the result of the city's fruitful economy in the 1920s that preceded the infamous stock market crash. The city was left with such a heavy burden of debt that it could not afford to tear down its historic buildings.

When you reach the center of downtown
Asheville
, you will be in

Pack Square
, where you can find restaurants, second-hand stores and corporate offices. Here, the ultra modern glass Biltmore building stands in defiant contrast to the gothic structures that surround it. In contrast, the 15-story
Jackson
building, which was
Asheville
's first skyscraper, was built to conform to the gothic style. Pack Square is also the starting point for Urban Trail, which is a hike through
Asheville
's history.

When you get tired of walking, and long for some coffee, stop in at one of the side street cafes on

Lexington Avenue
. Afterwards, you can browse through the thrift and antique stores, or visit Topps for Shoes, which is considered to be one of the best shoe stores in
Western North Carolina
.

Hotels & Accommodations in
Asheville

Given its popularity as a travel destination,
Asheville
does not want for hotels. You are sure to find accommodations to suit every taste, as well as every budget. Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, a family vacation, or just a chance to experience
Asheville
's Southern hospitality, you will have no problem finding the ideal place to stay.

Haywood Park Hotel

If you would like to stay in downtown
Asheville
, the elegant Haywood Park Hotel is an excellent choice. This all-suite hotel has Iberian marble bathrooms, complete with over-sized tubs and recessed showers. At the end of the day, relax in your private whirlpool. To add a European flair to your stay, the bathrooms in the Grand Suite come equipped with bidets.

Inn
on Biltmore Estate

While the Biltmore Estate has been an
Asheville
landmark, in recent years, a portion of the estate has been turned into a luxury hotel. Given its location deep with the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, the hotel is an excellent place for those who prefer their elegance in privacy. It is not possible to drive to the hotel grounds without proof of a hotel reservation. Most hotel stays at the Biltmore Inn are sold in conjunction with tour passes. You will definitely want to spend some time exploring the rest of the estate, which has an interesting history.

Over a century ago, George Vanderbilt had a vision of a working estate that would be a benefit to the Asheville Community. Over a six year period, a team of builders and craftsman worked together to create this elaborate home. The estate was modeled on a château that was built in 16^th century .

Today, you can be a guest of the Vanderbilts at the luxurious inn. Each suite is named after a friend of the Vanderbilts, many of whom are quite well-know, such as the novelist Edith Wharton. If you choose, there are enough activities on the estate to fill an entire vacation. You can improve your off-road driving skills at the Land Rover Experience Driving School. Travel back in time on a horse-drawn carriage ride. Ride a horse along the trails of the estate. The possibilities are endless!

Baymont Inn Biltmore Estate

If the rooms at the Biltmore Inn are a bit beyond your budget, the Baymont Inn Biltmore Estate is an excellent option. It is located just a short drive from the Biltmore Estate, as well as many other popular
Asheville
attractions. Your room rate includes free Internet access, as well as a free, daily continental breakfast.

Forest Manor Inn

The Forest Manor Inn is located eight blocks from the Biltmore Estate. This AAA rated motor hotel provides a free breakfast, as well as other amenities that make it a superb value! With rates ranging from $49.00 to $129.00 a night, you can't go wrong!

Crooked Oak Mountain Inn

If you are looking for a secluded vacation in the woods, book a room at the Crooked Oak Mountain Inn. This Bed and Breakfast has six guest rooms with private bath, fresh flowers, independent thermostats and plush bathrobes. In the afternoon, sip a cool drink on the stone patio, which is located under a 200year old oak tree. Take an afternoon nap on the comfortable hammock. While a gourmet breakfast is served daily, be sure you plan to stay on Sunday, when the owners cook up a fantastic brunch!

Whether you are seeking romance, adventure, history or culture,
AshevilleNorth Carolina
will fulfill your dreams of a perfect vacation. Where else can you spend time on a secluded mountain, but be a short drive from restaurants in an exciting urban area? Be sure to allow for sufficient time to see all the things there are to see and do all the things that you would like to do!

Asheville
Historic Trolley
Tours

Even if you are an independent traveler, a tour of the city can help you get oriented, so you can optimize your itinerary for the rest of the trip. When you ride one of
Asheville
's vintage historic trolleys, your knowledgeable guide will provide detailed information about the areas you would like to visit. You can de-board the trolley at any of the designated stops to explore the area of your choice.

Great

Smokey

Mountains

Railroad

A ride on the Great Smokey Mountains Railroad evokes visions and fantasies of an era long past. The ride takes you over the green, fertile valleys and across the river gorges. As the train goes through the tunnels, you wait in excited anticipation, as you wonder what visual delights await you on the other side.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial

The name "Thomas Wolfe" has become synonymous with
AshevilleNorth Carolina
and all things Southern. His epic, autobiographical novel, Look Homeward Angel, is based on his childhood and coming-of-age in the Old Kentucky Home Boarding House, which was run by his mother. Unfortunately, Wolfe was such a good writer that his portrayal of
Asheville
's good citizens was a tad too realistic for their taste. As a result, the book was banned from the local libraries. Today, when you visit The Old Kentucky Home, you can see items from the Wolfe family home, Wolfe's
New York City
apartment and his father's stonecutting shop. Guided tours of the home are conducted every hour.

Chimney

Rock

Park

No trip to
Asheville
would be complete without an excursion to the
Blue Ridge Mountains
. At

Chimney
Rock
Park

, you can breathe in the fresh mountain air as you hike the scenic trails and take in the splendor of the 404-foot Hickory Nut Waterfall. There is also a nature center, a native plant nursery and a variety of special events.

Skiing

Skiing in
North Carolina
? Are you kidding? We kid you not! Why endure
New England
's sub-zero temperatures, when you can enjoy good skiing within 30 minutes to an hour of
AshevilleNorth Carolina
? With lower lift, equipment rental and ski lessons, along with a altitude more favorable to lowlanders than the Western resorts, an Asheville ski vacation is a perfect vacation for any one on a budget, or anyone who wishes to combine skiing with cultural and historical exploration.

Appalachian

Ski
Mountain

is perfect for families. All-day SkiWee lessons are provided for kids ages 4-10. Full day on-site day care is also available. The $45 a day fee includes lunch. The mountain has five lifts that serve nine slopes. Recently, a terrain park has been added.

If you can't decide whether you want to explore downtown
Asheville
or go skiing, the Cataloochee Ski area has a perfect solution. Night skiing is available from 6-10 pm. A separate beginner area is available for those who are just learning the sport. With the help of their ski school, you can gain the confidence to ski the intermediate trails such as
Lower Omigosh
and Rock Island Run. Advanced skiers will enjoy the 5,400 foot Moody Rock, while snowboarders can show their tricks in the

Cat
Cage
Terrain
Park

.

Arts and Culture of
Asheville

Inspired by the beauty of the
Blue Ridge Mountains
,
Asheville, North Carolina
has been a magnet for creative types in all disciplines of the arts and culture. As a result,
Asheville
can well be considered the cultural
Mecca
of the South. The Pack Place Education, Arts and

Science
Center

is an excellent place to begin your exploration of
Asheville
's artistic diversity. The Center is home to the Three Centuries of

Pack Square
exhibit, the

Asheville
Art Museum

, Diana Wortham Theater,

Colburn
Earth
Science
Museum

, the Health Adventure and the

YMI
Cultural
Center

.

The permanent collection at the

Asheville
Art Museum

focuses on 20^th century American art and photography. If you are also interested in the Fine Arts, be sure to visit the Asheville Gallery of Art, where you can view original oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, lithographs, mixed media and etchings. At the

YMI

Cultural

Center

, you can view the work of local African American artists. To explore
Asheville
's Native American culture, plan a day at the

Cherokee

North Carolina

Museum

, where you can enjoy the works of local Cherokee artists.

If you are interested in the history of the artist community in
Asheville
, pay a visit to the

Black

Mountain

College

Museum

and

Arts

Center

. A number of simultaneous events served as catalysts for the creation of

Black

Mountain

College

. In 1933, the Nazis were persecuting artists throughout
Europe
. Many of them found their way to
Asheville
, where they became faculty or students at the college. In the meantime, in the , Franklin Roosevelt's commitment to keeping artists employed was personified by the WPA project. The college was unique in that it was owned and operated by the faculty. The college can take significant credit for setting the foundations for
Asheville
's creative community. Today, talented professionals in all realms of the arts have made the city their home.

Even professional actors, dancers and musicians, who are talented enough to work in larger cities, have chosen
Asheville
for its laid back atmosphere. The North Carolina Stage Company strives to promote professional theatre in
Asheville
trough performances of classical theatre. Top quality classical and contemporary theatre can also be seen at the Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown
Asheville
. Shows are performed by touring groups as well as regional artists. The Asheville Symphony is the city's musical landmark, which provides professional orchestral entertainment all year-round. They also perform choral works, as well as children's concerts. While the Asheville Symphony features mostly local artists, the Asheville Bravo Concerts invite professional orchestras from all over
Europe
.

Asheville
is also home to a flourishing dance scene. The Asheville Ballet has hosted some world-famous choreographers, such as Anna Sokolow, Douglas Dunn and Lori Bellilove. International dance stars, such as Chuck Davis and David Dorfman have conducted master classes at the ballet. Their repertory includes both classical and cutting-edge experimental works. They often collaborate with other local arts organizations, such as the Asheville Lyric Opera. The Lyric Opera is the place to go for quality performances of operas such as The Magic Flute and Madame Butterfly.