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 the 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 Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

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The Blue Ridge Parkway

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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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Cedar Creek Stables and Outfitters
Lake Lure, NC
(828) 625-2811

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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Chimney Rock Park is a privately owned Natural Heritage Site, just a short drive around the lake from Fairfield Mountains. 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, you'll pass the panoramic wonder of Inspiration Point. Other hiking trails are available, including special activities and trails for children. Allow two hours for the complete round trip. Discount tickets are available at the Fairfield Mountains Information Center.

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This is a historical site and interpretive center in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. The Cradle of Forestry is a beautiful place to visit any day of the week.

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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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The Southern Highland Craft 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. The Folk Art Center is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just northeast of Asheville.

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Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School
Hendersonville, NC

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Be inspired by views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, laugh at bear cubs and otters in natural habitats, and escape into a globally recognized nature preserve with 12 miles of the South's best alpine hiking trails. Open all year. US 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at Linville.

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Western North Carolina's biggest and newest attraction! Three football fields of 24-hour 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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KidSenses Children's InterACTIVE Museum
Rutherfordton, NC
(828) 286-2120

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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.

Hourly tours depart on weekends in March and November, and daily April through October. Evening champagne cruises and dinner cruises are also offered April through October. Reservations are not required for the hourly tour. Reservations are required for dinner cruises and champagne cruises. Call toll free 1-(877) FUN-4-ALL or (828) 625-1373.

Private and group charters, and rental boats are offered, too.

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Fine Dining (Jackets not required)
Lake Lure Inn -- 625-2525
Lakeview Restaurant -- 625-3045
Larkin's on the Lake -- 625-4075
Point of View Restaurant -- 625-4380
Salzburger Restaurant -- 625-0093

Casual Dining
Bayfront Bar and Grill -- 625-4075
Countryside BBQ -- 652-4885
El Sureno Restaurant -- 625-8506
Genny's Family Restaurant -- 625-2171
Hook & Anchor -- 652-9467
Josaphine's -- 659-3374
Lakeside Pizza, Pub and Grill -- 625-1457
LaStrada at Lake Lure -- 625-1118
Malarkie's -- 625-0210
Margaritagrille -- 625-9324
The Old Rock Cafe -- 625-2329
Riverwatch Deli and Grill -- 625-1030
Scoggins Seafood -- 287-3167
Tiki Bar and Grill at Geneva Riverside -- 625-4121

Quick and Easy
Child's Corner Deli -- 625-1673
Dalton's General Store -- 625-9750
Joseph's Italian Cuisine -- 625-2007

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Riverside Riding Stables
Rutherfordton, NC
(866) 206-0235 or (828) 288-1302

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Rockhouse Vineyards
Tryon, NC
(828) 863-2784

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Rutherford County, NC Tourism Information
(our county)

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Nearby

Unique shops are located throughout Hickory Nut Gorge, along Highway 74A between Rutherfordton and Asheville, and along Highway 64 toward Hendersonville.

Asheville

• Asheville Mall: (828) 298-5080 Directions: 1-240 to Exit 7.
• Biltmore Antique Mall: (828) 255-0053
• Biltmore Square Mall: (828) 667-2210
• River Ridge Mall: Various outlet stores from baby clothes to housewares. Directions: 1-240 to River Ridge Mall.
• 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.

Gaffney, SC

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

Hendersonville

• 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.
• 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.
• Parris 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.
• Ruth Originals: Girls sportswear and dresses by Ruth of Carolina. Toddlers to size 14. 30% to 70% savings. Directions: Highway 64 to Hendersonville, at 4th light, take a right.
• 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, at 4th light, take a left.

Malls

• Tri-City Mall - (828) 245-1053
• Washburn General Store - (828) 245- 41129
• Gaffney - (888) 545-7194
• Tanger Outlet Center, Pigeon Forge, TN - (423) 428-7001
• Tanger Five Oaks, Sevierville, TN - (423) 453-8401

Rutherfordton

• 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, SC

• 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.
• 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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Tubing with River Creek Campground
Between Lake Lure and Rutherfordton, NC
(866) 287-3915 or (828) 625-1990

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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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Green River Plantation - (828) 287-0983
North Carolina Golf Courses
Pumpkin Center - (828) 286-9438
Rutherford County Farm Museum - (828) 248-1248
Rutherford County Museum - (828) 245-4000
Thermal City Gold Mine - (828) 286-3016

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