First visit to Asheville NC
 

Help--our first visit to this area----We are a 60ish year old couple--we only have 2 & 1/2 free days to explore. We definetly want to visit Biltmore Estate and also look around Asheville a bit. It will be mid Dec. so we want to see the Estate decorated. We hear allot about Asheville, but not sure what we should do there, especially in the winter.
We would like to stay in a nice, romantic B&B, cause we are celebrating an anniversary, but not outrageously expensive, as we know that we'll be out sightseeing allot.
So many options for lodging. What area should we stay in to get a nice overview of the area?
We looked at the Reynolds Mansion which looks like our kind of place, but is it too far from the things we want to do?
We will probably be driving in from Charlotte airport.
Any and all info is appreciated.
Thank you!

Visit the gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn. You will have to check the schedule. They have limited hours for non hotel guests. The fire places at the GPI are amazing. Great place to spend a winter evening.

Thanks, we'll put it on the list.
Any advice on what area to stay in?

There are so many great B and B's in Asheville! There are so many places to explore. I too have to recommend GPI for a drink or hot chocolate near the fire....it really is amazing. The food in the area is wonderful and I can recommend so many places. I think you probably want to stay near the downtown area so that you can walk around in the evening and walk to restaurants and shops. You would have to drive to Biltmore, but it is really close by! http://www.chestnutstreetinn.com/ and http://innonmontford.com/ are really nice B and B's, but there are several in the downtown area.
There are others who know much more than I do, but we go to Asheville about once a month. We love to eat at Bouchon, the Bistro 1896, Tupelo Honey for breakfast although it is loud, Fig bistro down near Biltmore. We have had a great meal at the bistro at the winery at Biltmore! There are many many more! It really is a great town for all types of food.
We like browsing through the shops and galleries in downtown. I love Malaprops book store - they always have something going on. There is a good arts district down near the river if you are interested in seeing art/pottery/glassware.
We like to visit the Mast General store for a look around - it is very near the downtown area.
We love to visit and if you have more questions or can tell more about what you like I would be glad to help. I hope you have a great visit!

It is just my opinion, but the place you are looking at is a little far out. It is in a great area, but would be a drive to everything.

We liked the Thomas Wolfe house.

http://www.wolfememorial.com/

recommended by starrs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbQkG...layer_embedded

Wow--thanks everyone! Yes, we thought that the Reynolds Manision looked a little far out.I will spend a little more time researching all of the links.

I don't know if you are beer drinkers but apparently Asheville is a hotbed of beer making. Our food editor had a book listed about Asheville beer yesterday. Who knew!!

I'm a big fan of staying within walking distance of downtown, but if that doesn't appeal to you, I don't think Reynolds Mansion should be considered "far out". It's and easy drive into town (less than 10 minutes via the interstate) and there is plenty of deck parking (Civic Center deck is the best deal - very cheap).

Never having been there it is difficult to guess at what area would be best. Would staying within walking distance of town make more sense, even in Dec? We do like to walk & explore. What B&B would you reccomend in that area?
Would 1&1/2 days at the Biltmore Estate be enough? And then a day to look around Asheville?

Has anyone stayed at the Applewood Manor? Reviews are good. Walking distance to town?
Thanks

That's pushing the edges of what I'd consider walkable - it's a little more than a mile. Certainly doable if you like urban hiking, but I'd bet there are some decent hills involved.

And in Dec, I'm guessing you'll end up driving in anyway. Parking really is easy downtown as long as you know where the public decks are.

http://www.ashevillenc.gov/Departmen...arkingMap.aspx

As I'd mentioned, we use the Civic Center deck. It's free for the first hour and 75 cents/hr after that.

OK--Whats your opinion---since we probably wont be walking to town, should we choose the Reynolds Mansion, or the Applewood Manor?

I think what Brian_in_Charlotte said was insightful - since it's December, you may find yourself driving more than expected! If you plan to spend most of your time in downtown Asheville (walking) then the closer to DT you can be, the better. Here's a place I know if that is right downtown in the heart of it all:
http://www.carolinamornings.com/vaca...147/Studio-Lex

If you're looking to stay farther out, then you'll definitely be driving every day. Depending on the weather in Asheville in mid December, that could be a good or a bad thing. :/ A beautiful bed and breakfast I know of is called the Wildberry Lodge (http://www.wildberrylodge.com), but they're a 20 minute drive from downtown.

If you're doing Biltmore, then you should definitely check out their Candlelight Christmas. I did it last year, and it's very romantic... the whole house is decorated and lit with candles. (It's an evening tour) Depending on where you stay, they may offer bundled deals for Biltmore day and evening passes.

My two favorite restaurants downtown are Strada (http://www.stradaasheville.com) and Chai Pani (http://www.chaipani.net). Both are very accessible while walking downtown. Another romantic thing to do is the Chocolate Lounge (http://frenchbroadchocolates.com/).

Grove Park Inn is awesome, and they have a great piano bar called Elaine's there, if you're up for a "rowdy" yet upscale and elegant evening. They strike the balance pretty well!

I love Asheville, if you can't tell. :)

Hope you guys have a wonderful time and happy anniversary!

topping for future trip!

I want to add to my earlier post: one of the companies I listed is now giving away free Biltmore Estate passes, and including the Candlelight Christmas Evening passes, too. That's a GREAT deal, and it's available during your stay. Hope you guys have figured out your trip!

Here's the free Biltmore Estates deal: http://www.carolinamornings.com/Cont...nute-deals.asp

Cheers!