Discover Asheville's Secrets: Top 8 Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Vibrant North Carolina City!

1. Biltmore: America's Largest Home

When George Vanderbilt decided to put the "more" in Biltmore, he certainly didn't skimp on the square footage or fireplaces: Asheville, North Carolina is home to the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned house in the United States, spanning over 175,000 square feet, with 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces! Built in the late 19th century, this French Renaissance chateau designed by Richard Morris Hunt is part of an 8,000-acre property, complete with 75 acres of gorgeous gardens, an award-winning winery, and numerous outdoor activities for the adventurously inclined.
Source => biltmore.com

2. Foodie Paradise in Asheville

If you're hungry for a food scene that’s so flavorful it rivals grandma's secret sauce, pack your stretchy pants and head to Asheville, North Carolina: The city boasts over 250 locally-owned restaurants, 25 craft breweries, numerous James Beard Award winners, and has been voted a Top 10 Foodie City in the USA for its locals' eating habits, food spending, access to healthy options, and abundance of farmers markets.
Source => romanticasheville.com

🛩️ Discover the birthplace of modern aviation in North Carolina, where the Wright Brothers took to the skies, forever changing the way we travel. Learn about their groundbreaking flight and its lasting impact on our world!

=> Fun Facts about North-Carolina

3. Haunted Trail: Halloween Fun for All

If Hocus Pocus and Pirates of the Caribbean had a baby and invited the community to watch it grow: Asheville's Adventure Center hosts an annual Haunted Trail Festival, providing a family-friendly Halloween experience filled with bewitching witches and swashbuckling pirates, sans blood and gore, and featuring an Escape Room, Giant Games, an Aerial Glow Trail, and donations to a local food bank – even offering a Sensory Friendly Night for those with sensory challenges.
Source => ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com

4. F. Scott Fitzgerald's Asheville Getaway

Partying like it's 1935 in Asheville, because F. Scott Fitzgerald knew how to have a "Gatsby-esque" good time, even while battling tuberculosis and a fading career: The renowned author rented two rooms at the Grove Park Inn during the summers of 1935 and 1936, in search of inspiration from the wealthy guests seeking rest and respite, but sadly, his writing struggled amidst his personal battles. Today, visitors can still experience replicas of the arts and crafts furniture and draperies from Fitzgerald's stay, adding a touch of literary history to their relaxation.
Source => npr.org

5. Thomas Wolfe's Childhood Home

In a plot twist worthy of a literary master: Asheville, North Carolina, honors the legacy of its famous son, Thomas Wolfe, with a historic site preserving his childhood home. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial allows visitors to embark on a journey through time, witnessing original furnishings and memorabilia that inspired one of America's greatest novelists and his page-turning tales.
Source => nps.gov

6. Asheville's Musical Hills

When you find yourself in Asheville, North Carolina, don't be surprised if the hills are alive with the sound of music: Asheville has a flourishing music scene, as showcased in Don Clayton's song "Land of Sky," which features over 15 local musicians and highlights experiences like the LEAF festival, LaZoom tours, and enjoying local brews with new friends.
Source => blueridgeoutdoors.com

7. Biltmore Forest School: A Piece of History

All aboard the laughter express, with a stop at the Cradle of Forestry: visitors can climb a 1914 Climax logging train engine, ring its bell, and explore the historic Biltmore Forest School, the first school of forestry in North America, founded in 1898.
Source => gofindoutdoors.org

8. Bele Chere: Ghost Town Festival Revival

Who needs a time machine when you can head to Asheville's very own annual resurrection of a ghost town? A fun-spun extravaganza filled with foot-tapping music and finger-licking food awaited those lucky enough to attend: The Bele Chere Festival was born in 1979, created by merchants and business people to bring life back into the empty downtown district. The festival ran for 35 years, attracting up to 300,000 visitors at its peak and offering live music, art, and Asheville's unique cuisine. Though the festival ended in 2013 due to concerns about downtown businesses, the smaller LEAF Festival has stepped up to the (juke)box, with a colorful music lineup that has made it Asheville's favorite summer shindig.
Source => romanticasheville.com