Questions on trip to Asheville

Old Apr 13th, 2005, 10:25 AM
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For the scenic, longer route from Charlotte to Asheville, take I-85 south (really west, but it's a north/south route) to Gastonia, then highway 321 through Hickory and Lenoir (and I do mean through town) to Blowing Rock. Then get on the BRP south. You'll pass Linville Caverns, the viaduct, and Grandfather Mountain. You might be able to find discount tickets to Grandfather Mountain.

If you take the I-85, highway 74, I-26 route to Asheville, stop by the Carl Sandburg house along the way. Mrs. Sandburg studied goats and there are a few different breeds on the property. It's about $2-3 per person to tour the house.
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Old Apr 13th, 2005, 10:43 AM
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To tack onto NCgirl's advice about getting to Blowing Rock, I might suggest just going north on I77 to Rte 421 to Boone and then on to Blowing Rock. It's about a 2 hour trip this way.
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Old Apr 13th, 2005, 01:00 PM
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Gretchen, I was wondering if that route might be faster. It looks longer on my map, but if you don't have to drive through towns, you make up time.
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Old Apr 13th, 2005, 01:35 PM
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We have a weekend place in the Boone/Blowing Rock area, and going to Boone, it's a bit of a toss-up which way (85 or 77) is better. From downtown, going 77 adds about 15 extra miles but has a few less traffic lights, so it's about 2 hours either way). However, going to Blowing Rock, it's significantly quicker to take the 85/321 route. Plus, it's a little prettier.
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Old Apr 13th, 2005, 07:36 PM
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If we go for the scenic longer route..... from Charlotte to Asheville, I-85 south to Gastonia, then highway 321 through Hickory and Lenoir to Blowing Rock. Then get on the BRP south heading towards Linville Caverns, the viaduct, and Grandfather Mountain how long of a drive would it be? Is it possible to leave Charlotte around 8am and travel to those places, see the attractions and then still get to Asheville around 5PM?
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Old Apr 14th, 2005, 01:56 AM
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Yes, I would think it would be doable in that time. It's a pretty drive.
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Old Apr 14th, 2005, 05:40 AM
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If you're used to going 5-10 miles/hour over the speed limit, it will take you a little less than 2 hours to get to Blowing Rock from central Charlotte. It's then about 100 miles on the Parkway from BR to Asheville. This has a 45 mph speed limit and often you'll have to drive slower than that. It can seem like a long trip, but as Gretchen said, it's often a beautiful drive.

You can certainly do both Grandfather and Linville Caverns in this time, but it may be a bit rushed. Since you're not into hiking, you could just do the swinging bridge at Grandfather (which is neat, not for those fearing heights) and take a picnic to eat at one of the picnic areas, but it's $14/head to get in. I haven't been to Linville for years, but remember that it was a cool thing to do on a hot day ($6/person).

If it was me, I'd leave CLT around 9, browse some of the shops in downtown Blowing Rock, have a nice lunch at one of the restaurants there (Canyon's Cafe for the view, Storie Street Grill for the food, or Woodlands Barbeque to experience real NC BBQ) then pick one attaction on the way to Asheville.
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Old Apr 14th, 2005, 05:49 PM
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As a reminder, the Blue Ridge Parkway is still closed in a couple of places between Linville and Asheville due to construction. Check the parkway website or call ahead for updates.

NC 105 from Boone, to US 221 from Linville down to Marion, then connecting to I-40 west to Asheville is a good, faster alternative to the Parkway in this section.
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Old Apr 14th, 2005, 08:06 PM
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Thanks for the help and info to date.

If we decide not to go to Blowing Rock but directly from Charlotte to Asheville is it still a two hour drive and do the highways in that direction also have construction?
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Old Apr 15th, 2005, 03:03 AM
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It is about a 2 hour drive to Asheville. Take I85 south to Route 74 to I26.
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Old Apr 15th, 2005, 05:48 AM
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I'd probably go I-85 to 321 to I-40 for a quicker, faster route. Plus, then you could stop off in Black Mountain for lunch (right off I-40 15 miles east of Asheville). I just love that little town. But maybe the other way is more scenic?
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Old Apr 15th, 2005, 06:07 AM
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The scenery is about the same for both routes from Charlotte to Asheville, except that by going 321 North from Gastonia to I-40 you avoid the many traffic lights and the stop-and-go traffic on US 74 through Shelby...which ain't exactly scenic, come to think of it.
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Old Apr 15th, 2005, 11:28 PM
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Thanks. Looks like all my questions for now have been answered. Your help is really appreciated. It makes planning so much easier.
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Old Apr 16th, 2005, 05:15 AM
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A dissenting voice about Biltmore -- or at least a clarification -- about 2 days and the "behind the scenes" tour.

I'm guessing your teens might actually find the behind-the-scenes tour slightly more interesting than shuffling through the decorated public rooms at Biltmore and being lectured to about the paintings, furniture, etc. Behind-the-scenes shows them things like the various kitchens and pantries and elevator-systems and the huge heating furnace and how the pool worked, etc. -- as well as how servants lived and moved around behind the scenes.

The winery, on the other hand, is a big yawn -- even for wine lovers. OK, there are vines, then there are barrels; and then there's the obligatory wine-tasting room so you can be enticed into purchasing wine that's not exactly -- um-- fine (unless you buy the "reserve" stocks).

What might work best is to take the main Biltmore tour the night before and then the behind-the-scenes in the morning, then decide whether you really want to look at a lot of big fermination tanks or move on.
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Old Apr 16th, 2005, 08:43 AM
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HKP's right about Biltmore -- hope the Village is back to full power after the floods (update, anyone?).
 
Old Apr 16th, 2005, 01:31 PM
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this is in answer to Cassandra's question about post-flood(Sept) issues in Biltmore Village. Virtually all shops have reopened including new ones. The only ones to my knowledge which did not and will not reopen were the Melting Pot (no great loss) and Pedro's Kitchen. Can't emphasize enough that seeing Biltmore Village is NOT seeing Asheville!! You need to experience downtown Asheville which is up the hill and has LOTS more going on than the "village".
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Old Apr 16th, 2005, 01:38 PM
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I am with LeahinSC on Biltmore Village, but do note that Bellagio is one of the most beautiful shops I have ever visited. Chelsea's is OK and worth a stop if you are there anyway. Biltmore Village is not a destination. Hit the Arboreteum, head downtown...great town!
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Old Apr 20th, 2005, 09:03 PM
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The behind the scenes tour sounds interesting and it just may hold our teens attention. Does anyone know how much it costs? I don't recall seeing the price for that on their website.

Also, which hotel would be nice? I'd prefer something more modern, either a suite hotel or one with bigger rooms as we'll be a family of 4.
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Old Apr 21st, 2005, 03:32 AM
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There are 2 hotels downtown - Haywood Park and Renaissance. Both probably have standard sized rooms. There are numerous bed and breakfasts in Montford which is an easy walk into downtown. The Residence Inn Marriott is between downtown and Biltmore village - you can walk to either. There is the Doubletree right outside of Biltmore Village and then one right across the street whose name escapes me. On Tunnel road there are a number of hotels but you cannot walk into downtown or Biltmore Village. And of course there is the Grove Park Inn which is a destination unto itself and would be your most expensive option.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2006, 03:21 PM
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ttt for pheasant
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