The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, features a 250-room French Renaissance chateau built by George Vanderbilt, grandson of American industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt. The house covers four acres and displays a large collection of antiques, sculpture, fine furnishings, and works by artists Pierre-Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sergeant. The chateau, completed in 1895, is the largest private home in the United States. Visitors take self-guided tours to see 16th century tapestries, a 10,000 book library, formal gardens, some of the 35 bedrooms, servants' quarters, and the most visited winery in the United States. The estate offers seasonal events, concerts, and a variety of activities including horseback riding, hiking, carriage rides and fly fishing. Dining and lodging is available on the estate. The formal garden has wide-ranging displays throughout spring and summer, including daffodils, hyacinths, as many as 100,000 tulips in bloom, lush perennials, chrysanthemums and more than 250 varieties of roses.
Parking at the Biltmore Estate
The estate is located just off Interstate 40 at Asheville. A vehicle is necessary; the approach road from the ticket office to the public parking area is three miles long, through a natural, park-like setting. Shuttles run from the parking lots to the front door of the house, as well as to other destinations on the estate. No public transportation is available. Taxis are allowed on the estate.
Best and worst times to go to the Biltmore Estate
Summer weekends can be crowded, though winter holidays are the busiest season, when the house is decked in lavish, traditional holiday decorations. The house opens at 9:30 a.m., but crowds often don't build until noon. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for most Saturday visits during warm weather, as well as most days from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31. Those wanting a quiet time to widely explore the house often visit midweek, or in the off-peak winter.
Admission to the Biltmore Estate
Adult admission is in the $50-plus range for one day; discounts and child and senior rates are available online. Adult ticket discounts are available with advance purchase online. On certain summer days up to two children can visit free with a paying adult. Check the reservations website for the best pricing. Ticket price includes parking, self-guided visit of Biltmore House, access to gardens, and free wine tasting for adults and guided winery tour. Behind-the-scenes tours are available at additional cost.
Must do at the Biltmore Estate
The house is the obvious draw, with its Downton Abbey vibe, the fantastic works of art, the 19th century architecture, and the oddities, like Napoleon's chess set or the private bowling alley in the basement. The gardens boast miles of walking paths, hundreds of thousands of beautiful flowers, and an impressive orchid display in the conservatory. Likewise, the winery tour gets you up close to the business of making wine, and includes a free tasting. Wine is available for purchase if you want more while sitting on the sun-dappled patio.
Other places to visit near the Biltmore Estate
Just outside the estate is Biltmore Village, home to a variety of shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants. Nearby on U.S. 25 South is the Blue Ridge Parkway, a mountain-peak highway. Head south to Mt. Pisgah or north to the tallest peaks in Eastern North America. On Friday evenings in warm weather consider heading to Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville to dance and drum for free at the popular outdoor drum circle.
Insider tip for visitors to the Biltmore Estate
The estate is so big — it's on 8,000 acres — you might fear you didn't see everything in just one day. (Flower lovers can spend hours in the garden and never step into the big house.) So buy your ticket online in advance, then when you get there ask for the cut-rate 'next-day' ticket as well. These are available year-round but must be used the very next day. The additional cost? $10 most days, $15 during the winter holiday season.
Author's bio: JD Austin is an Asheville, North Carolina, native who has worked more than 30 years in journalism around the Southeast United States.
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, features a 250-room French Renaissance chateau built by George Vanderbilt, grandson of American industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt. The house covers four acres and displays a large collection of antiques, sculpture, fine furnishings, and works by artists Pierre-Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sergeant. The chateau, completed in 1895, is the largest private home in the United States. Visitors take self-guided tours to see 16th century tapestries, a 10,000 book library, formal gardens, some of the 35 bedrooms, servants' quarters, and the most visited winery in the United States. The estate offers seasonal events, concerts, and a variety of activities including horseback riding, hiking, carriage rides and fly fishing. Dining and lodging is available on the estate. The formal garden has wide-ranging displays throughout spring and summer, including daffodils, hyacinths, as many as 100,000 tulips in bloom, lush perennials, chrysanthemums and more than 250 varieties of roses.
Parking at the Biltmore Estate
The estate is located just off Interstate 40 at Asheville. A vehicle is necessary; the approach road from the ticket office to the public parking area is three miles long, through a natural, park-like setting. Shuttles run from the parking lots to the front door of the house, as well as to other destinations on the estate. No public transportation is available. Taxis are allowed on the estate.
Best and worst times to go to the Biltmore Estate
Summer weekends can be crowded, though winter holidays are the busiest season, when the house is decked in lavish, traditional holiday decorations. The house opens at 9:30 a.m., but crowds often don't build until noon. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for most Saturday visits during warm weather, as well as most days from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31. Those wanting a quiet time to widely explore the house often visit midweek, or in the off-peak winter.
Admission to the Biltmore Estate
Adult admission is in the $50-plus range for one day; discounts and child and senior rates are available online. Adult ticket discounts are available with advance purchase online. On certain summer days up to two children can visit free with a paying adult. Check the reservations website for the best pricing. Ticket price includes parking, self-guided visit of Biltmore House, access to gardens, and free wine tasting for adults and guided winery tour. Behind-the-scenes tours are available at additional cost.
Must do at the Biltmore Estate
The house is the obvious draw, with its Downton Abbey vibe, the fantastic works of art, the 19th century architecture, and the oddities, like Napoleon's chess set or the private bowling alley in the basement. The gardens boast miles of walking paths, hundreds of thousands of beautiful flowers, and an impressive orchid display in the conservatory. Likewise, the winery tour gets you up close to the business of making wine, and includes a free tasting. Wine is available for purchase if you want more while sitting on the sun-dappled patio.
Other places to visit near the Biltmore Estate
Just outside the estate is Biltmore Village, home to a variety of shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants. Nearby on U.S. 25 South is the Blue Ridge Parkway, a mountain-peak highway. Head south to Mt. Pisgah or north to the tallest peaks in Eastern North America. On Friday evenings in warm weather consider heading to Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville to dance and drum for free at the popular outdoor drum circle.
Insider tip for visitors to the Biltmore Estate
The estate is so big — it's on 8,000 acres — you might fear you didn't see everything in just one day. (Flower lovers can spend hours in the garden and never step into the big house.) So buy your ticket online in advance, then when you get there ask for the cut-rate 'next-day' ticket as well. These are available year-round but must be used the very next day. The additional cost? $10 most days, $15 during the winter holiday season.
Author's bio: JD Austin is an Asheville, North Carolina, native who has worked more than 30 years in journalism around the Southeast United States.
The YMI Cultural Center in downtown Asheville offers a historic location for events, cultural exhibits, weddings, and seminars as well as ongoing community forums, cultural festivals, and literacy programs. The cultural center also offers visitors a glimpse of African American history through artwork and photographs.
Parking and public transportation at the YMI Cultural Center
Parking for the YMI Cultural Center is available on the street in metered parking spaces or in the Biltmore Avenue Garage. Asheville transit has bus stops along Biltmore Avenue.
Best and worst time to go to the YMI Cultural Center
The YMI Cultural Center is open to the public on Tuesdays through Fridays, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The center is open at other times for special events.
Admission to the YMI Cultural Center
There is no admission charge to the YMI Cultural Center; however, some events might require tickets or separate admission.
Must see/do at the YMI Cultural Center
Whether attending an event or visiting the YMI Cultural Center, visitors have the opportunity to speak with volunteers and staff, who are available to connect individuals interested in getting more involved in the region's multi-cultural community with organizations that are active in creating culturally-diverse activities for the community.
Other places to visit near the YMI Cultural Center
The YMI Cultural Center is located conveniently to dozens of downtown shops and restaurants along Biltmore Avenue. The center is just a couple blocks away from Pack Square where the Colburn Earth Science Museum and the Asheville Art Museum are located.
Insider tip for visitors to the YMI Cultural Center
The building that houses the YMI Cultural Center is a historic icon in Asheville. Completed in 1893, the YMI (Young Men's Institute) was constructed under the direction of George Vanderbilt to provide educational, spiritual, and cultural support for the African American construction workers employed by the Biltmore Estate.
Author's bio: Carolyn B. Fraiser is a freelance journalist, photographer, and publications specialist in Asheville, North Carolina. Follow her on Twitter @carolynbfraiser.
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site in Asheville is a National Landmark operated by North Carolina State Historic Site to commemorate renowned author Thomas Clayton Wolfe. The "Old Kentucky Home" boarding house where Wolfe lived as a child, was the inspiration for his 1929 autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel and has been preserved for students and visitors to experience his life and literary work.
Parking at The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
The memorial provides limited free parking adjacent to visitor's center. If full, visitors may park at the Rankin Street Garage, where parking is free for the first hour.
Best and worst time to go to The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
The memorial receives the most visitors on Saturdays and during the month of July. Tours are limited to 15, but staff makes an effort to work in extra tours during peak seasons. January and February tend to be their slowest season.
Admission to The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site is open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. House tours begin at the bottom of each hour and cost $5 for adults and $2 for students. Group tours are available by reservation. Call 828-253-8304 for more information.
Must see/do at The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Visitors and students at The Thomas Wolfe Memorial Home have the opportunity to view a film about Wolfe's life, see the home through a guided tour, and participate in hands-on activities to demonstrate the daily household chores from the time period.
Other places to visit near The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Visitors can also visit the Black Mountain College Museum and Art Center on Broadway Street or have lunch at the nearby Mellow Mushroom or Over Easy Café. Downtown Asheville also is a great place to shop or visit a variety of museums on Pack Square.
Insider tip for visitors to The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
After his death in 1938, Thomas Wolfe was buried in Asheville's Riverside Cemetery. His grave can be viewed at 53 Birch Street off Pearson Drive near the Asheville Visitors Center.
Author's bio: Carolyn B. Fraiser is a freelance journalist, photographer, and publications specialist in Asheville, North Carolina. Follow her on Twitter @carolynbfraiser.
