Heading to Asheville NC this month and will be visiting the Biltmore Estate. Any other suggestions of other places we can visit while staying in that area, parks, tourist sites, etc.? We will be staying 2 nights in Asheville. Thanks!

The Grove Park Inn is as much of a tourist destination as a gorgeous old hotel.

Downtown Asheville is beautiful, and has one of the highest concentrations of Art Deco buildings outside Miami Beach. Be sure to spend some time walking around, shopping and sightseeing.

GailLK, what are your interests? Are you looking for arts, antiques, nature? Are you a shopper?

We're not big hikers, but would like to see some of the waterfalls. We would be willing to drive an hour or so
to see other scenic areas,tourist sights. Not a big shopper, but do like to browse quaint towns. Would like to see some great scenery/drives as well.

Nice walkable small towns - Black Mountain(20 min), Waynesville(35min), Brevard(40min), Blowing Rock(1.5 hr)
Other things to do - Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, go to the Arboreteum,walk around downtown, do a walking tour of Montford,
check out exploreasheville.com for other ideas and events.

There's a new hop-on, hop-off tour trolley in Asheville. Has anyone used it? I've just seen the brochure for the first time.

Gail, you should definitely drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and go up to Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the Eastern US. The parking area is right at the top. About an hour in the opposite direction from Asheville is the Brevard area with waterfalls, many of which are easily accessible from the road.

The trolley isn't new, I guess it's been around for at least 3 years. It seems popular with the tourists and takes people through Montford and I think up to the GRove Park.

If you like handicrafts you might want to visit the Folk Art Center located on the Blue Ridge Parkway (take exit 55 off I-40). May be a little early but Craggy Gardens is known for its Mt. Laurel displays. Linville Gorge (also on pkwy) has very nice falls. Moses Cone home on the pkwy near Blowing Rock is also a very scenic spot.

another of my favorite little local spots in Sactuary of Stuff located off 19/23 in Woodfin. Fun, electic gallery/crafts/consignment - I always find something to buy and prices are great! Also the huge antique barn on River Road.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We should have plenty to do!

There is a ski resort that has a Western BBQ type dinner show in a big lodge in the summer monhts I believe it is called Wolfe Laurel. Its about 30 minutes straight up 26 I believe. It was fun.