Located in western North Carolina, this is one of my favorite locations in the state.

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Biltmore Estate: No trip to Asheville is complete without a trip to Biltmore! The summer home of George Vanderbilt, completed in 1895, is a must see. It's the largest private home in the United States (over 175,000 sq. ft.)! A movie, The Private Eyes (think Clue board game) with Don Knotts, was filmed here in 1980.

Formal Dining Room
Winter Garden
Library
Conservatory
Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly had an installation done on the estate!

Thomas Wolfe Memorial: The home of the author is now a tourist attraction. The genius (enrolled for class at the University of North Carolina at age 15) was born in 1900 and died in 1937 of tubercular meningitis of the brain.

Nosh:

Bistro (at Biltmore Estate): There are many dining options on the property and the menu at most of them change regularly. Halibut with bacon, shrimp, and asparagus.

Nip:

New Belgium Brewery: Yes, they now have an east coast brewery. The original is in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The trickle of the French Broad River in the winter.

Biltmore Estate Winery: They make wine with grapes grown on the property and water from the French Broad River. The master vintner (when I was there) was from France. The wine is definitely good but doesn't have the depth of flavor as California dry wines.