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Asheville Travel Guide, North Carolina

Located at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers and West of Raleigh, Asheville developed from a tiny village to a year-round resort, with a colorful past, rich architecture and a lively cultural scene.

Many famous people were attracted by Asheville and they were either visitors or decided to live here. One of those who decided to stay was Thomas Edison while F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald were among the visitors, but the most famous was Thomas Wolfe, a native of Asheville who proved his love for his home town in his first novel, Look Homeward, Angel. He lived for a 10 years in is mother's boardinghouse called "The Old Kentucky Home” and when he died in 1938 it was here that many people gathered to bid him farewell. Now it is a memorial house and a literary shrine.

Partly destroyed by fire, many of the author’s belongings were destroyed except the ones that were hosted at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial like his typewriter and writing table. Another place where people go to pay homage to the author is the Riverside Cemetery where he is buried.

Other cultural attractions are the Montford Historic District with beautiful residences and Lexington Park area together with Pack Place, home for artists, artisans and numerous cultural activities.

Another cultural landmark is Grovewood Gallery located in the former home of the Biltmore Homespun Shops. The gallery displaying wonderful craft works. Next to the gallery is the Grovewood Studios where artists create their work. At first it aimed at teaching the traditional skills of woodcarving and hand-weaving just to develop into a thriving business also producing furniture and homespun cloth a product that became known around the world. Even if you can’t see it being produced as production of this cloth ceased in 1980, you can follow the history of the Industries and the Homespun Shops at the North Carolina Homespun Museum.

If you want to see sculptural pottery, fine-art glass, furniture and jewelry all made by hand “The New Morning Gallery” is the place. Add to them such attractions as Estes-Winn Memorial Automobile Museum and the Grovewood Café and you have the makings of a lively and sophisticated city.

Nonetheless the Biltmore Estate is a National Historic Landmark exceeds all expectations. The largest private residence in the United States, a French Renaissance-style château once owned by George Washington Vanderbilt, was called Biltmore. It was constructed of tons of Indiana limestone and features beautiful gardens, furniture designed by Chippendale and Sheraton and a collection of 50,000 objects: paintings, porcelains, bronzes, carpets, and antiques from Europe and Asia. Renoir, Sargent, Whistler, Pellegrini, and Boldini are among the artists that have their works exhibited here. The house was not only known for its grandness, but also for its most technologically advanced structures. Most recent inventions were present. It had in its use some of Thomas Edison's first light bulbs, two elevators; it was centrally heated and equipped with a fire-alarm system, but the most amazing possession was the telephone.

You'll find so many attractions in and around the Asheville area you'll be awestruck, aghast and astounded on a daily basis and you may run out time for it all! Every section of this city provides spectacular attractions, and you won't what to miss any of them!

From those who fancy literature to those who want to take in all the major museums and attractions, this city can satisfy your every request.