Local area

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is truly a marvel of architecture, history, and beauty. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 19th century, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, boasting 250 rooms spread across 178,926 square feet. Beyond its grandeur, the estate is set amidst 8,000 acres of pristine gardens, forests, and rolling hills, offering visitors a picturesque backdrop for exploration and leisure.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a road – it’s a beautiful journey that entices visitors to explore a 469-mile gateway to America’s rich cultural heritage including Cherokee traditions, music, crafts, agriculture and nature. Your journey is just around the corner! Split-rail fences, old farmsteads, mountain meadows and scenic overlooks with endless vistas make the Blue Ridge Parkway a popular attraction. The Parkway incorporates numerous campgrounds, picnic areas, trails and waterfalls.

Chimney Rock, North Carolina, is a picturesque village located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. At the centerpiece of Chimney Rock is Chimney Rock State Park, home to the iconic 315-foot granite monolith known as Chimney Rock, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from its summit.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling the border between NC and TN, is a majestic natural wonderland renowned for its ancient mountains, dense forests, and abundant wildlife. With over 800 square miles of preserved wilderness, it offers visitors a wealth of outdoor adventures, including hiking trails, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Home to iconic landmarks such as Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove, as well as rich cultural history, the park invites exploration.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) has long been the home to many aficionados, the meeting place for friends and the vacation destination for so many groups and families. NOC has been recognized by various media including Good Morning America, The New York Times, Outside, National Geographic Adventure and more. Stop by the NOC for an unparalleled outdoor whitewater rafting experience.

Just as our experience of nature is intimate, visitors to The North Carolina Arboretum connect with plants in personal ways that are as diverse and rich as the land itself. Whether you enjoy strolling through gardens, exploring exhibits, enriching your mind or hiking and biking, the Arboretum offers activities for all ages, including 434-acre natural treasure with 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails and more.

Built from granite boulders hewn from Sunset Mountain, The Grove Park Inn opened in 1913. At its opening dinner, William Jennings Bryan declared that it had been “built for the ages.” In the decades since it has become one of the South’s most famous and venerable resorts. From yesterday to today, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa has remained a place dedicated to providing its guests with comfort — and genuine delight.

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th Century American Literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe's colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, and the Old Kentucky Home boarding house earned the historic Victorian home a place as one of American Literature's most famous landmarks.

The WNC Nature Center is a living museum of plants and animals native to the southern Appalachian region. Our purpose is to increase public awareness and understanding of all aspects of the natural environment of Western North Carolina through hands-on and sensory experiences.

The Folk Art Center is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild. The center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. In addition to an Eastern National bookstore and Blue Ridge Parkway information desk, the center houses three galleries, a library and Allanstand Craft Shop. Beginning in March each year, visitors can see live craft demonstrations daily in the Folk Art Center lobby.

Set in the beautiful homeland of the Cherokee Native Americans, Harrah's Cherokee Hotel and Casino offers luxury and beauty both inside and out. This North Carolina hotel has a 15,000 square foot conference center, an indoor pool, and a workout room. Action-packed gaming includes slots, video poker, the PokerPro poker room, and interactive video technology table games. Enjoy live entertainment at the Cherokee Pavilion, and culinary delights at the choice of restaurants.

With 53 miles of track, 2 tunnels and 25 bridges, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a variety of excursions that explore the amazing landscape of Western North Carolina. With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on-board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy scenic train journeys across fertile valleys and through river gorges in a spectacular region near The Great Smoky Mountains.

There are a few places in the world that still stand apart from the ordinary. Rising more than a mile high, surrounded by the gentle mist of low-hanging clouds, Mount Mitchell State Park is one of these extraordinary places. In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. For those who ascend this mighty peak, what looms in the horizon is a feast for the eyes—breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Playhouse’s dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a ten-show professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; performances and cabaret series by the YouTheatre; year-round classes and workshops for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 90,000 patrons annually and is a major contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina.

Grandfather Mountain inspires awe through an abundance of natural wonders. Designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve and protected forever by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, there is nowhere else on Earth that you can enjoy such a variety of mountain life in one amazing place.

Set on a 124 acre resort property with magnificent 150 year old white oaks. "Fly" 20 to 70 feet above ground on zip line sections from several hundred feet long to 1200 feet long. This urban course offers the convenience of being adjacent to a major resort and downtown Asheville. Includes 10 zip sections, 3 sky bridges, and a new innovation “flying staircase” plus a 54 foot tower with spectacular views of downtown Asheville and the surrounding mountains.

New Belgium Brewing Company's Asheville location is a vibrant and innovative brewery nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Boasting a lively atmosphere and a commitment to sustainability, New Belgium offers visitors a chance to enjoy a wide array of craft beers, including their flagship brews like Fat Tire Amber Ale. The brewery features tours where guests can learn about the brewing process and sustainability practices, as well as a tasting room.