It’s said that the spirit of the mountains brought artisans of all kinds to
Asheville. From world-class craftspeople to world-famous authors, this
itinerary gives you a glimpse of the creative side of the North Carolina
Mountains – not to mention the creative side of North Carolina
winemakers.
With so much to see and do in the area, we recommend the following
2-day itinerary. Enjoy your visit by mixing and matching events to
your particular interest. Be sure to check days and hours of operation
for each venue.
2-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Wine, dine and shop in Asheville
Day 2
Experience literary arts, crafts and the art of winemaking in Asheville
and the Yadkin Valley
Please see our recommendations for the best places to stay eat at the bottom of this page!
Detailed Itinerary
Day One
Begin your visit to the North Carolina Mountains in Asheville with a
guided or self-guided walking tour of the Asheville Urban Trail, a
great way to get up close and personal with North Carolina’s most
architecturally diverse city. Asheville is a fascinating blend of Queen
Anne, Romanesque, Revival and, of course, Art Deco. In fact, Asheville
boasts of more Art Deco architecture than any other southeastern city
outside of Miami Beach.
Shop for regional treasures at the Grove Arcade Public Market,
housed in a lavishly ornamented Gothic structure. Dominating an
entire city block, the market was completed in 1929 and reopened in
2002 with over 60 owner-operated shops and restaurants.
Spend the afternoon in an amazing mountain setting at Biltmore
Estate, the nation’s largest privately owned residence. Built by George
Washington Vanderbilt, this 250-room French chateau is filled with
priceless artworks and furnishings. Stroll the spectacular grounds and
gardens, which encompass 8,000 acres of formal and natural
plantings, forests, pastures and trails. Tour the winery at Biltmore
Estate Winery and learn how rich tradition meets state-of-the-art
technology under the masterful direction of winemaster Bernard
Delille.
Shop the estate’s specialty shops for wine, books, toys, sophisticated
apparel, even estate-grown plants. You’re sure to find some special
souvenirs.
Day 2
This morning, discover Asheville’s literary heritage. The Thomas
Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site is the boyhood home of author
Thomas Wolfe and the setting for much of his autobiographical
masterpiece, Look Homeward, Angel. Considered one of the giants of
20th-century American Literature, Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his
family, his hometown of Asheville and the “Old Kentucky Home”
boarding house earned the historic Victorian home a place as one of
American Literature's most famous landmarks. Afterward, stroll
through the Riverside Cemetery with more than 87 acres of
landscaped grounds. Dating back to the early 1800s, this is the final
resting place of Thomas Wolfe and short story writer O. Henry.
Drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center where the
Southern Highland Craft Guild has promoted crafts made by artists
living in the mountain regions of the South for over 70 years. The
Center is home to Allanstand, the nation’s first craft shop, which
opened in 1895. One of four Guild shops, Allanstand showcases an
exciting array of work from traditional mountain folk art to
contemporary American crafts made by the Guild’s more than 900
member-artists.
After lunch, make your way east to the Yadkin Valley and sample the
fine wines of the nation’s fastest developing wine region. This region,
with its perfect climate and soil composition, plays host to a growing
number of wineries. The Swan Creek area, tucked in the valley
between Brushy Mountain and the Blue Ridge, brings a touch of
Europe to the Tar Heel State. Only five miles apart, various vineyards
offer a variety of wines for any taste – Swan Creek-Laurel Gray
Vineyards, Raffaldini Vineyards, and Buck Shoals Vineyards.
Find Great Deals on the NC Hotels, Inns and BandB's for your Couples Weekend Getaway in NC!