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Area Attractions:
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Great Smokey Mountain National Park
- Mount Mitchell State Park
- Pisgah National Forest
- Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure
- Grandfather Mountain
- Biltmore Estate
- Thomas Wolfe Memorial
- ebulon Vance Birthplace State Historic Site
- Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
- Cherokee Indian Reservation
- Flat Rock Theater
- Folk Art Center
- Pack Place - Education, Arts & Science Center
- North Carolina Arboretum
- Cradle of Forestry
- Linville Caverns
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Nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina,
Asheville has been well-known as a health resort and vacation
destination for dignitaries and celebrities since the early
1850's. When the railroad came to Asheville in 1880, it brought
a young aristocrat named George Vanderbilt who fell in love
with the rich beauty of the area. A few years later, he purchased
125,000 acres and built one of the largest private residences
in America, a place known as the Biltmore Estate.
Rich in the arts, Asheville has given inspiration
to many of America's finest writers including Thomas Wolfe,
F. Scott Fitzgerald and Carl Sandburg. Artists and craftspeople
have discovered their creative expression in this area and
their unique items can be found in the many local galleries,
craft shops and festivals. Filmmakers also have been attracted
to the Asheville area since the early 1920s, beginning with
the making of "The Conquest of Canaan" and continuing
with many of today's popular films, such as "Richie Rich",
"Patch Adams" and "Hannibal".
Surrounded by national forests, Mount
Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, can be
found in the mountains of western North Carolina allowing
for great outdoor adventures such as hiking, rafting, mountain-biking,
fly-fishing, rock climbing, and even mining for semi-precious
gems. In addition this area offers several tempting and challenging
golf courses.
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