Our first visit to the fabulous art mecca Asheville North Carolina was part of a six-week road trip way back in 2004. We vowed we would return just as soon as we could. Steve and I had tried to get there last year, but unfortunately there were no openings at the local RV parks at that time.

Tubing on the French Broad River in Art Mecca Asheville North Carolina

Staying cool on a sultry summer day.

So instead of Asheville last year, we went to Boone. Western North Carolina is breathtakingly beautiful! So this year we wanted to return to the area which includes that fabulous art mecca Asheville North Carolina. We got lucky and we were able to reserve a stay at Wilson’s RV Park on the French Broad River. Wilson’s turned out to be a convenient location near downtown Asheville and surrounding attractions. And with the French Broad River running right passed the back of the property there was always a buzz of activity. It was colorful and fun to cool off by tubing down the river and there was a constant stream of hot pink tubes floating by.

Art Mecca Asheville North Carolina

There are a few reasons that I refer to Asheville as an “art mecca”. This is definitely a place for both artists and art lovers. Whether you are a photographer, painter or sketch artist there is more than enough inspiration everywhere you look. Driving along the incredible Blue Ridge Parkway the mountain views are astonishing any time of year. The Biltmore Estate takes us back in time to an era of luxurious living. Art galleries abound on the hilly streets in downtown Asheville. No matter where you look there is an opportunity to create great art or buy it.

The Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate
Photo Credit: Website

In 2004, when we first visited Asheville, we toured the entire Biltmore Estate. From the living quarters to the rooftop, the exquisite gardens to the fabulous vineyard ending with a delicious lunch at the café and winery we were completely enthralled with our surroundings there. I highly recommend that you include a tour of this wonderful attraction on your itinerary when you visit Asheville.

History

George Vanderbilt first visited Asheville, NC in 1887 and immediately considered the area as a possible location for his country home. After a second visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains with his mother in 1888 his imagination continued to spark. This led him to begin purchasing land for what would become Biltmore.

Vanderbilt’s 250-room French Renaissance chateau is a true marvel, the largest undertaking in residential architecture. It took six years and an entire community of craftsmen to comes together to create America’s premier home and the environmental wonderland that surrounds it.

On Christmas Eve 1895, the country retreat George Vanderbilt had spent so long planning was marvelously decorated and full of festivity. The finished home contains over four acres of floor space, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces; and was officially opened to friends and family.

Estate Expansion

In 1900 construction of the main dairy and horse barn began. The horse barn became a thriving social and work center for the families who farmed Biltmore as well as serving as the agricultural heart of the estate. Today it is still a unique connection to the estate’s past.

Visitors Center at the Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Visitors Center Patio

In response to requests to increase tourism during the Depression, Cornelia and John Cecil opened Biltmore House to the public in 1930

Many years later, in 1971, William Cecil planted his first vines at Biltmore. He was not satisfied with his first bottling so he traveled to France to bring back a 6th generation winemaster Philippe Jourdain to be Biltmore’s first winemaker.

Finally in 1983 the Biltmore Estate Wine Company was established and construction began on a new winery in what had been the estate’s dairy. Mr. Cecil proclaimed that it was “the most historic event since my grandfather had opened his estate to his family on Christmas Day ninety years earlier.” The winery opened to guests in 1985.

Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway

Walnut Cove along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway spans the southern and central Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers an exceptional glimpse of the regional flora and fauna. It is world-renowned for its biodiversity.

Steve like to let us know exactly where he is!

The Parkway covers a wide range of habitats along the Appalachian Mountains, and some of these habitats are exceptionally rare. You can encounter unsurpassed diversity of climate, vegetation, wildlife and geological features.

Doesn’t it take your breath away?

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway you will find some of the oldest mountains in the world including Mt. Mitchell which is the highest mountain peak in the easter part of the United States. There’s also the oldest river in North America which is ironically call the New River. The deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon is Linville Gorge found along the route. And we can’t leave out the highest waterfall east of the Rockies – Whitewater Falls. You can experience it all driving this gorgeous highway.

Bad Fork Valley Overlook Elevation 3350

Additional Attractions

Chestnut Cove, elevation 2180. Elevation where this photo was taken 3035

Chimney Rock National Park, Folk Art Center, Grandfather Mountain, Grove Arcade, Grove Park Inn, Historic Biltmore Village, Historic Downtown Asheville, Lake Lure, North Carolina Arboretum, restaurants galore and countless local breweries all add to what makes Asheville, NC such an amazing place to explore.