Asheville Urban Trail
828-259-5498, ext. 4000
www.ci.asheville.nc.us/parks/urban.htm
This 1.7- mile walking tour of Asheville tells the story of the city's past. There are 30 "stations" highlighted on the trail, each with its own story & and many with original artwork. Walkers can start anywhere they see an Urban Trail marker or an engraved pink granite marker, but Station #1 is at Pack Square. Audio cassettes are available for rent from the Asheville Art Museum shop. Guided tours are offered, usally at 4 p.m. on the second Friday at 3 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month. Guided tours meet in front of Pack Place. Allow 2 ½ hours for the entire tour. Call for information.
Asheville Visitors Center
828-258-6103
151 Haywood St., Asheville
http://www.exploreasheville.com/
A good first stop for visitors to the Asheville area is the Asheville Visitors Information Center. Open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; weekends, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Biltmore Estate
828-225-1333, 1-800-624-1575 or
1-877-BILTMORE (1-877-245-8667)
U.S. 25, three blocks north pf Exit 50 or 50B on I-40 in Asheville
http://www.biltmore.com/
The most popular single attraction in the region, the 250-room French Renaissance chateau bilt in the 1895 by George W. Vanderbilt is the largest private home in the United States. It houses priceless colections of antiques, painting, books, tapestries, & furnishings. Self-guided tours include upstairs & downstairs of the house, the servents' quarters, the Winery, & the gardens & grounds. Also located on the property is the Inn on Biltmore Estate, a 213-room inn.
Biltmore Village Historic Museum
828-274-9022 or 828-274-9707
7 Angle St., Asheville
http://main.nc.us/bvhm/cont.html
The Village consists of restored English-style houses that now contain shops, galleries, & restaurants. The museum provides information about the Village from its founding in 1889.
Black Mountain
828-669-2300 or 1-800-669-2301
Hwy. 70, 15-miles E. of Asheville off I-40
Located a mile from the Eastern Continental Divide, Black Mountain is known for its antique & craft stores, restaurants, & historic buildings.
Blue Ridge Parkway
828-298-0398 or 828-271-4779
Parkway intersects Asheville at U.S Highway 25, 70 & 74 & NC 191
www.nps.gov/blri
This scenic parkway winds some 470-miles along the highest ridges from the Shnandoah National Park to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center
828-298-5330
http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/
Stop by the new Destination Center located SE of Asheville near Parkway milepost 384. The building contains museum quality exhibits, a movie about the Parkway & the region, a state-of -the-art interactive I-Wall map, & retail shop. Visitor information is available from the Blue Ridge Parkway & Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
Botanical Gardens at Asheville
828-252-5190
151 Weaver Boulevard, Asheville
http://www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/
This 10-acre area features native flora of North Carolina in a natural setting. Gardens open daylight hours. Visitor Center 9:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
Catalochee Ski Area
828-926-0285 or 1-800-768-0285
Off Hwy 19, Maggie Valley
http://www.cataloochee.com/
North Carolina's first ski area, offers nine slopes & trails for beginners to experts. Also lessons & rentals. Season mid-December though March.
Carl Sandburg Home
National Historic Site
828-693-4178
81 Carl Sandberg Lane, Flat Rock
www.nps.gov/carl
Connemara was the name of this 264-acre farm where poet & biographer Carl Sandburg spent his later life with his wife. The site, est. 1968, is a unit of the National Park Service. In addition to the main house, there are a number of other historic structures & more than 5 miles of trails.
Cherokee Indian Reservation
1-800-438-1601 (Visitors Center)
http://www.cherokee-nc.com/
This 56,000-acre reservation, home to the Eastern Cherokees, includes a casino, a museum, Indian Village, outdoor drama, arts & crafts. At the eastern edge of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
Chimney Rock Park
828-625-9611 or 1-800-277-9611
Hwys 74A & 64, southeast of Asheville
http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/
A 26-story elevator ride or a network of trails takes you through solid granite for a 75-mile view of the Blue Ridge Scenic nature trails lead to Hickory Nut Falls. Ticket window open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time).
Colburn Earth Science Museum
828-254-7162
http://www.colburnmuseum.org/
This museum, called a "mini-Smithsonian of gems," is located at the Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m - 5 p.m. (Sundays 1 - 5 p.m., June - October.)
Cradle of Forestry
828-877-3130
1001 Pisgah Hwy (U.S. 276) South of Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 412
http://www.cradleofforestry.com/
Location of the first forestry school (1898) in America has a visitors center, film, walking tours, restored historic buildings, forestry exhibits, restored steam locomotive, & gift shop.
Craggy Gardens
828-298-0398
This area offers hiking trails, picnic sites & a Visitors center. Open May to late October. North on Blue Ridge Parkway.
Downtown Asheville Historic District
828-251-9973 ot 828-258-6100
www.exploreasheville.com/fun_things.asp
Downtown Asheville offers an outstanding collection of early 20th century architecture, and boasts more art deco architecture than any southeastern city other then Miami Beach. Guided walking tours available. There are more than 150 retail shops & some 50 restaurants.
Estes-Winn Auto Museum
828-253-7651
111 Grovewood Road, Grovewood Gallery, Asheville
http://www.exploreasheville.com/
This museum features classic & antique cars, such as a 1926 Cadillac & a 1927 La Salle. Open April - Dec. Mon - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sun 1 - 5 p.m.
Flat Rock
1-800-828-4244
30 Minutes East of Asheville
www.historichendersonville.com/attractions_flat_rock.htm
The Flat Rock community is famous for its beautiful estates & historic landmarks dating back to the early 1800's, including the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site.
Grandfather Mountain
1-800-468-7325
U.S. 221 between the Blue Ridge Parkway (exit milepost 305) & Linville
http://www.grandfather.com/
Features views from the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Mile High Swinging Bridge, and enviromental habitats, hiking trails, picnic areas, & a nature museum and theatre.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
865-436-1200
50-miles Southwest of Asheville 107 Park Headquarters Rd., Gatlinburg, TN
www.nps.gov/grsm/
America's most popular national park, extending some 70-miles along the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
Great Smokey Mountain Railroad
1-800-872-4681
119 Front Street, Dillsboro (50-miles from Asheville)
Offers scenic excursions through mountain gorges on trains pulled by diesel-electric & steam locomotives. Daily departures from Bryson City & Dillsboro year-round. Call for schedule & reservations.
Grove Park Inn
828-252-2711 or 1-800-438-5800
290 Macon Avenue, off Charlotte Street, Asheville
http://www.groveparkinn.com/
An Asheville landmark & one of the premier resorts in the country, was built in 1913 from boulders cut from Sunset Mountain. On the National Registry of Historic Places.
Health Adventure
828-254-6373
2 South Pack Place Square, Asheville
http://www.health-adventure.com/
This hands-on earth and science museum features educational exhibits for the entire family. Located in the Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center. Call for hours.
