Jim<BR>The area is spectacular!! We rod through the Smokies and then came into Ashville. I've seen many places around the country but nothing compares to the Biltmore. Four of us went on a lark and spent two nights there. We did enjoy it - we decided to stay for dinner too and that was very enjoyable. The wines that were served were quite tasty. We were there early December and it was cool there. The house was decorated for Christmas and there were decorated trees everywhere!! And yes, we all agreed we'd go back..

Asheville is actually one of our favorite places to go for a relaxing getaway. The Biltmore Estates are worth seeing once or twice but I doubt I'll be going back. I last went there when the entrance fee wasn't quite so steep. If you like gardens and are interested in learning how wine is made and just have a curiosity in seeing how the Vanderbilts lived, it's worth a look. However, I learn more with each visit to Monticello (T. Jefferson's home in Charlottesville, Va.) about Jefferson & his family, architecture, and gardening than I ever really learned about the Vanderbilts and such at the Biltmore. Plus the entrance fee at Monticello is much less ($11) and they give you change with $2 bills! (T.J. is on the front.) Asheville without the Biltmore is still worth a visit. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful drive and there are a multitude of art galleries and craft stores scattered all over the region. The first few times we visited Asheville we spent a small fortune in some of the galleries and also the wonderful used bookstores. (By the way, we ARE envious of the library room that the Vanderbilts had.) Great food there, too. Enjoy!

Thank you all for your responses. Much food for thought. Right now I'm leaning not to go to the Biltmore although we are coming from a long way away (CA) and it may be our only time in the area. We'll probably make up our minds when we get there but thank you all.

If you are really into big heavy handed gothic then spend the bucks. I've travelled extensively and I've been to dozens of more interesting beautiful homes than Biltmore. Asheville, on the other hand, is a cool town.