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If you like mountain scenery, you’ll fall in love with Asheville, North Carolina. Just save enough time when exploring this historic city and the Blue Ridge Mountains to schedule a tour of Biltmore, the magnificent estate of the Vanderbilt family.

Visiting Asheville

Originally part of the Cherokee nation, Asheville was an outpost for traveling frontiersmen like Daniel Boone in the 1790s. With the coming of the railroad in 1880, the city developed resorts and began serving visitors looking for a healthful, serene mountain escape. By 1890, the city’s population had soared to 10,000 residents. Today, you can still see the beautiful art deco buildings from that era. Several have become galleries, restaurants or shops. You can take a walking tour of the city by following the Urban Trail, a series of 30 stations representing significant moments in Asheville’s history.

Touring Biltmore

The Biltmore estate is America’s largest home and a National Historic Landmark. Architect Richard Morris Hunt took George Vanderbilt’s vision and drew the plans for a “French Renaissance Revival-style chateau” of 175,000 square feet situated on 8,000 acres. Work began in 1890 but was not fully completed until 1898. However, the Vanderbilts’ first guests appeared on Christmas Eve, 1895. Vanderbilt insisted upon the latest technology for his new home, which included 42 bathrooms with indoor plumbing, 288 electric light fixtures and two electric Otis elevators.

While the interior of the house is awe-inspiring, visitors can also enjoy the landscaped gardens while taking in the home’s magnificent architecture.

Lodging ideas

You can also stay on the Biltmore estate. Choose from rooms at the hotel, the inn or the cottages. Make time for a massage at the spa and a bit of shopping at Antler Hill Village. If you prefer accommodations in the city, consider Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Asheville West.

Dining suggestions

For dinner on the Biltmore estate, you might want to reserve a table at atmospheric Cedric’s Tavern in Antler Hill Village. If you’re out and about, try the Sunny Point Café for breakfast or lunch (where you could share a yummy order of Pound Cake Bites).

How to get there

Asheville Regional Airport serves major airlines as well as smaller carriers such as Allegiant and Sun Country. Some flights are seasonal, but most operate daily. The airport is about 15 miles from downtown Asheville. You’ll find the Biltmore estate close to the city and minutes away from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Enjoy your visit as you travel into history!