My husband and I had planned a trip to Asheville in October to see the leaves change but had to cancel due to work. We are now planning a trip the week of Thanksgiving but don't know what to expect weather-wise. I know the fall color change will be over with, but will we still be able to get around the mountains to sightsee or will the bad weather prevent travel?

Yes the leaves will have fallen, but the Christmas decorations will be up at the Biltmore estate. I doubt you will have snow/ice/mess to worry about, but it will be cold (to southerners at least). You might want to check historical weather information at weather.com or Asheville info at exploreasheville.com. If you are visiting on Thanksgiving day most everything will be closed (except hotel restaurants and movie theaters).

Christmas at the Biltmore is really something to see. If I remember correctly, they had a Christmas tree in every room.

Please plan a visit to the Biltmore for its Candlelight Christmas Evenings, held from November 6 to January 1.
(No Candlelight Christmas Evenings offered on November 22, December 11, 24, and 25) The home is decorated in period splendor for the holidays, and live music (choral groups) adds to the ambiance. It's a great way to see the home & get in the holiday mood; we did this trip in Nov. 1999- no problems with weather. Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets for Sunday–Thursday are $36.00 for adults; Friday and Saturday, $39.00. You also can dine on the grounds prior or following your tour; you'll need reservations for this. For tickets and evening dining reservations, call 800-289-1895 or visit web site at www.biltmore.com.

Chances are it could be chilly in Asheville in late Nov., but I doubt it will be snowy or icy. Asheville is one of my favorite places to visit any time of the year -- what a great city! Biltmore is definitely worth seeing, though it's pricey (but then again, it's not like you're going every day for a month or anything). The downtown area is nice to walk around, with some excellent art deco architecture and interesting shops. Have a great time!