Biltmore Estate

George Vanderbilt's 250-room castle is America's Largest Home and a top attraction in Asheville. Plan a visit to Biltmore Estate, explore 8,000 acres of grounds, or book a behind-the-scenes tour.

Biltmore is as magnificent today as it was when it was built more than a century ago. George W. Vanderbilt created the estate in the 1890’s as a grand retreat in the North Carolina mountains. The estate officially opened to his friends and family on Christmas Eve 1895. Mr. Vanderbilt brought in Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, to design the gardens and trails. Biltmore was the last great project for Olmsted, whose work also includes New York’s Central Park and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The Estate is still privately owned and operated by George Vanderbilt’s descendants.

River Arts District

Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) is a destination that grew out of necessity. Artists needed cheap rent and large spaces. An industrial zone east of the railroad tracks had a glut of aging and empty warehouses. The area was ripe for change, and over two decades blossomed into a convergence of art, creativity, commerce, and entertainment fueled by the dynamism of its inhabitants — those same artists and visionaries.

Today the RAD has become easily navigable with maps, full-on color guide — categorized by medium and artist — and a snazzy website. Many studios are open every day, all year round. Visitors are encouraged to come explore artist studios and watch while they work, or meet the artists and discuss the creative process. Take a class, acquire an object d’art from its maker, and grab a bite and a beer.

Music in Asheville

Asheville’s music scene is a vital piece of the city’s culture. The rhythm of the city began centuries ago with the arrival of Scotch-Irish settlers who filled the hills with the sounds of their reels, ballads and folk songs.

Today, Asheville’s music scene is all encompassing. Traditional mountain music still rings out from national artists such as David Holt, Doc Watson and Laura Boosinger who live in the area. Classical music from the Asheville Symphony Orchestra fills the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium throughout the year.

The sounds of the modern era also thrive in Asheville. Bob Moog, the inventor of the Moog synthesizer and pioneer of electronic music, spent his final years in Asheville and set up a company here that continues his musical vision.

Alternative rockers The Smashing Pumpkins made Asheville their temporary home and well-known artists such as Gladys Knight, Warren Haynes and David Wilcox have made Asheville their newfound home and drawn inspiration from the area.

Asheville Food Scene

Foodtopia is what residents call the food scene in Asheville, home to a community of culinary collaborators crafting an experience to nurture your soul. They believe every meal is a celebration. A revelation. And a transcendent experience. And they're on a pursuit to bring the most unique and memorable food and drink experiences to you.

Ashville’s Quirkiest Museum Collections

Looking for a walk on the whimsical side? Take a look at some of Asheville's most pleasantly peculiar museums:

Asheville Pinball Museum, downtown Asheville
Party like it's 1979 as you play over 30 pinball machines ranging in year of origin from 1960 to 2003. Pay one admission, but play as much as you like.

Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum, Brevard
Return to the Atomic Age at this kitschy exhibit that features themed trees (Elvis, Marilyn Monroe), and rotating color wheels to make the sparkly fake forest pop.

Asheville Mystery Museum, downtown Asheville
Find creepy underground Asheville history here in the private collection of local author and "ghost hunter" Joshua P. Warren, appropriately located in the basement of the historic Masonic Temple built in 1913.

Bob Moog Foundation Minimoogseum, downtown Asheville

Visit this mini-collection of select memorabilia of electronic music pioneer Bob Moog at the Orange Peel, in a 7' x 5' case holding relics from the early development of Moog synthesizers. O is even on display.

Dale's Wheels Through Time Museum, Maggie Valley
With its vast collection of over 300 rare and historic classic motorcycles, this museum recently attracted none other than motorcycle buff Jay Leno, owner of 90 classic bikes. It's also HQ for the Velocity Channel show What's in the Barn, where museum founder and curator Dale Walksler crisscrosses the country uncovering and restoring decades-old bikes. Nearly all of these vintage beauties are in running condition. Open April-November only.

Antique Car Museum at Grovewood Village, north Asheville

The Antique Car Museum in Asheville's Grovewood Village is home to rare and vintage automobiles, horse-drawn carriages, and even an antique fire engine. As with Wheels Through Time, cars are in running condition.