When you visit Biltmore House and Gardens, you will leave the bustle of today’s life behind you and enter a European estate of immense beauty. George Vanderbilt, grandson of “Commodore” Vanderbilt and his architect, Richard Morris Hunt, patterned Biltmore House after the great chateaux of the Loire Valley in France.

Completed in 1895, it took a thousand workers five years to build. In its halls and galleries, Mr. Vanderbilt placed art treasures gathered in his European travels. And all around the grand “country home” Frederick Law Olmstead, designer of New York’s Central Park, laid out acres of formal gardens and miles of landscaped roadways. Today you will find the Biltmore House exactly as it was when George Vanderbilt lived there in the dawning years of the 20th century. You will discover rooms filled with wondrous works of art, giant tapestries and cut flowers and plants from the Estate’s greenhouses and gardens.

Deerpark Restaurant overlooks rolling pasture land on a site originally used as a deer preserve. Fine European and American dishes are served on glass-topped tables in an attractive courtyard with park benches and hanging flowers.

Spring is a sea of 20,000 new tulips and, with arrival of May, azaleas. Summer is host to mountain rhododendron and roses and the welcoming cool of the highlands. Fall is a full-color rendition of Olmstead’s careful work. Winter is filled with December weekends of Christmas concerts and seasonal decorations of another time.

Biltmore House and Gardens is located on US Highway 25 three blocks north of exit 50 or exit 50- B on 1-40 in Asheville. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, year round, except it is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For information, call 1-800-211-9805.

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Chimney Rock Park is a privately owned Natural Heritage Site, 25 miles southeast of Asheville. Visitors may choose to hike up along a beautiful trail that includes a subterranean shortcut, catwalks from rock to rock and a moonshiner’s cave — or take an elevator 26-stories inside the mountain. Alter reaching the top, you can head out along Skyline Trail for a 45-minute scenic hike to the top of Hickory Nut Falls. It’s all downhill after that, along a natural ledge traversing sheer cliffs. On the way back to the parking lot, you’ll pass the panoramic wonder of Inspiration Point. Allow two hours for the complete round trip. Discount tickets available at the Fairfield Mountains Information Center.

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These three beautiful natural pools, each with their own waterfall, are located in the Hickory Nut Gorge area near the Chimney Rock Park. The gorgeous settings include many natural wild flowers. These have been a popular spot for tourists and locals alike since the pools were opened to the public in 1916. Tour information available at the Activity Center.

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Experience first hand the unique beauty of Lake Lure from the comfort of a luxurious seat aboard one of our spacious covered tour boats.

Lake Lure Tours will take you past locations for the blockbuster film, "Dirty Dancing," and past acres and acres of unsurpassed natural beauty, wildlife and legend.

We also offer evening champagne cruises and dinner cruises April through October. Reservations are required for dinner cruises and champagne cruises. For the evening champagne cruise, guests should make reservations before 3:00 pm of the day of their cruise by calling toll free 1-(877) FUN-4-ALL

Private and group charters are offered, too.

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Pulitzer prize winning author Carl Sandburg lived the last 22 years of his life here at Connemara, his farm at Flat Rock, North Carolina. The property includes 264 acres of rolling hills, forests, lakes and historic buildings. Guided tours of the home are scheduled daily. (Admission charged.) The grounds and farm are open for self-guided tours at no charge. Call for schedule.

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Asheville Mall (828) 298-5080
Biltmore Antique Mall (828) 255-0053
Biltmore Square Mall (828) 667-2210
Tn City Mall (828) 245-1053
Washburn General Store (828) 24541129
Gaffney (888)545-7194
Tanger Outlet Center, Pigeon Forge (423) 428-7001
Tanger Five Oaks, Sevierville (423) 453-8401

ASHEVILLE OUTLET GUIDE
1. Tops For Shoes: Great selection of most brand name shoes for entire family at discount prices. Monday thru Thursday and Saturday from 9 to 6, Friday from 9 to 8. Closed Sundays. Directions: Off Asheville Expressway, or Patton Avenue, to 27 Lexington Avenue.
2. River Ridge Outlet Mall: Various outlet stores from baby clothes to housewares. Directions: 1-240 to River Ridge Mall.

GAFFNEY
1. Prime Outlets: Various outlet stores, food courts, ATMs, and children’s play areas. Directions: I-85 and Route 105, at Exit 90.

HENDERSONVILLE
1. World of Clothing: Overwhelming selection of brand name clothing for the whole family. Some household articles for kitchen, bath, and bedroom. Save 33% - 75%, Monday thru Saturday, from 9 to 11; Sundays from 1 to 6. Directions: Highway 64 West to Hendersonville, first light — take a left.
2. Parnis Shoe World: Nine West, Bass, Nike, Dexter, Gloria Vanderbilt, to name but a few! Good prices! Next door to World of Clothing. Closes at 10:00 p.m.
3. Bon Worth: Ladies casual wear, large sizes too. Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 to 6; Sundays from 1:30 to 6. Directions: Highway 64 West to Hendersonville, across 1-26 on the right, across from Four Seasons Mall.
4. French Broad River Decoy Company: America’s leading manufacturer of decoys and wildlife related items. 10% discount for resort guests. Directions: Highway 64 towards Hendersonville in to Edneyville.
5. Ruth Originals: Girls sportswear and dresses by Ruth of Carolina. Toddlers to size 14. 30% to 70% savings. Directions: Highway 64 to Hendersonville, first light — take a right.

RUTHERFORDTON
1. The Way Station: Tanner, Young Traditions, Doncaster and others plus a fabric shop, gift shop and lingerie outlet. 25% to 60% off. Directions: Highway 74 East to Rutherfordton, left at fork to bypass, at the first light — turn left (approximately one mile).

SPARTANBURG
1. Outlet Park! Waccamaw Pottery: 34 outlets from which to choose, in one enclosed mall. Monday thru Saturday, from 9 to 10, Sundays from 1 to 6. Directions: 1-26 East to Spartanburg, take Exit 17.
2. Ladies Factory Outlet: Ship ‘n Shore Sportswear, sizes 8 to 44. Save 30% to 50%. Monday thru Saturday, from 10 to 6. Directions: Located in Pinewood Shopping Center. Take 1-85 at Pine Street.

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Fine Dining (Jackets not required)
Larkin’s on the Lake* ..... 625-4075
Lake Lure Inn* ..... 625-2525
Point of View* ..... 625-4380
Lakeview Restaurant ..... 625-3045

Casual Dining
Bayfront Bar& Grill - 625-4075
Countryside BBQ ..... 652-4885
Genny’s ..... 625-2171
Hook & Anchor ..... 652-9467
Josaphine’s ..... 659-3374
Lakeside Pizza* ..... 625-1457
Malarkie's - 625-0210
Margaritagrille* ..... 625-9324
Scoggins Seafood ..... 287-3167

Quick and Easy
Dalton’s General Store ..... 625-9750
Child’s Corner Deli ..... 625-1673
Joseph's Italian Cuisine ..... 625-2007
Das Kaffeehaus ..... 625-0093

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The Southern Highland Handicraft’s Guild’s Folk Art Center is home to the Allanstand Craft Shop, one of Appalachia’s oldest and best known craft resources. You’ll find the best of both traditional and contemporary works along with museum exhibits and a comprehensive craft library. Events and exhibits are continually changing. Check for schedule and other information.

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Flat Rock Playhouse Flat Rock, NC (828) 693-0731

A wide variety of family style plays and musicals are presented by a talented cast of performers. Call for shows and schedules.

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White water rafting, train rides aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railway, gemstone mining near the hamlet of Little Switzerland, and some fascinating sightseeing can be enjoyed through this licensed professional excursion company. Trips depart from the Fairfield Mountains Activity Center. Call for schedules and rates

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The Overlook Trail includes horseback rides to a mountain ridge for a fabulous overview of our beautiful country side (two hours). The Nettles Trail takes you through the woods, across creeks and along scenic fields (one and half hours). The Laurel Mountain Trail climbs into the forest and through laurel thickets, a favorite hangout for wildlife (one hour). English and Western Riding Lessons by certified instructors are also available. No riding experience necessary. Other adventures offered by this professional group includes fishing on Lake Wayne, pony rides, a petting and feeding park with friendly animals for the kids and gem mining. During the summer months, ask about special activities such as Donkey softball, rodeo and more.

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Western North Carolina’s biggest and newest attraction! Three football fields of 24-hdur casino fun, featuring 2,300 video gaming machines, three great restaurants, live entertainment, a gift shop, a culturally themed educational child care facility and all the friendly, first-class service that has made Hannah’s famous. Located in the heart of some of the most picturesque scenery and recreation in the country: the Great Smoky Mountains.

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Green River Plantation (828) 287-0983
Living Waters Rafting and Canoeing (828) 286-9205
Pumpkin Center (828)286-9438
Rutherford County Farm Museum (828) 248-1248
Rutherford County Museum.... (828) 245-4000
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in America’s Visitors Center (828) 248-1000
Thermal City Gold Mine (828) 286-3016
North Carolina Golf Courses

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