One of the crown jewels of Asheville, Biltmore Estate seamlessly chronicles the legendary lineage of the Vanderbilts. Nestled in the sprawling Blue Ridge Mountains, the house was built between 1889 and 1895 by architect Richard Morris Hunt as the summer estate of George Washington Vanderbilt II. At its heart is the Biltmore House, a four-story mansion inspired by the Châteauesque architectural style in France and England. With 250 rooms encompassing 8000 acres (3237 hectares), it is one of the biggest private homes in the country. Replete with furniture, artwork, and antiques that exude grandeur, the house shelters an array of opulent spaces like the enormous Banquet Hall and George Vanderbilt's master bedroom. Complete with carved paneling, gilded ornamentation, and intricate ceiling work, this grandiose house is the epitome of elegance. Fronting the house are the marvelous gardens which have been modeled on Victorian landscaping principles, complete with delightful foliage and blooming colorful flowers. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the house also harbors restaurants, shops, an inn, and a gorgeous winery and a rooftop that affords breathtaking views of its surrounding environs.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most traveled routes in the US National Park system. The scenic thoroughfare is 470 miles (756 kilometers) long and passes through the mountains of Shenandoah to the Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina. Some of the more popular stops in the area are Linville Gorge, Craggy Gardens and Graveyard Fields. Pass by undulating meadows and gaze in awe at the majesty of the surrounding mountains, or explore the many attractions dotting the stunning landscape of this region as you glide along the roadway's scenic expanse.
The river is calling. French Broad Rafting Company offers river sports for all ages and all levels of water experience. If you're after thrills, go on one of the whitewater excursions. There are two levels: calm water (an introduction) and faster rapids. Both offer an experienced guide to lead and all equipment and refreshments are provided. Trips last 3 to 4 hours. Canoes, funkyaks and rafts are available to rent and use on a calmer section. With no guide, trips last about 3 hours. Call for details.
If the natural beauty of the mountains of Blue Ridge Mountains is not enough to keep you busy with sightseeing, then check out all there is to do at The Cradle of Forestry. There are guided tours, restored historic buildings, exhibits, a gift shop and more. Kids will certainly enjoy seeing the restored locomotive and wandering the forest.