More travelers get on and off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville than anywhere else along the scenic road. This thriving mountain city makes for a vibrant and stylish basecamp boasting an eclectic downtown, 250+ independent restaurants, 50+ craft breweries, and an engaging art and music scene. In Asheville you will also find the region’s top outdoor adventure outfitters and excursion outposts, and a myriad of accommodations from cozy inns to historic mountainside lodges.
Asheville’s top attraction, Biltmore, is America’s Largest Home and an architectural jewel built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1890’s. This French Renaissance castle abounds with elegance and grandeur featuring 250 rooms, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. In addition to the house, the 8,000-acre estate is home to forested trails and beautiful gardens as well as the nation’s most-visited winery.
The Asheville Visitor Center at Exit 4C off I-240 is open daily. For more information, trip ideas and itineraries, please visit www.exploreasheville.com.