From: lhughes@b11.b11.ingr.com (Lawrence Hughes)
Subject: Re: Asheville, NC info wanted
Summary: ideas
Keywords: Asheville
Organization: Intergraph Corp. Huntsville, AL
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 14:55:51 GMT

In article <16440@wcieng.UUCP>, kim@wcieng.UUCP (Kim Moran) writes:
> Hi netters,
> 
> My husband and I are planning a 3-day weekend in Asheville, NC
> Sept. 11 - 14.

Kinda short notice - may have problems getting reservations this late, but
Sunday night may help (most folks go home by Sunday).

> We plan to spend a day touring the Biltmore Estate and
> some time wondering around the town proper.

I was somewhat underwhelmed by the Biltmore Estate, but if you like big old
houses, I guess it is OK - the most interesting thing about it to me was that
it was used as the set for Peter Sellar's best film "Being There". If you ask
me the price is kinda ripoff - they used to let you drive and walk around the 
grounds for a small fee, then sock it to you for the inside tour - now they
seem to insist you do everything or nothing... 

> We have reservations at
> the Albermarle Inn for Friday and Saturday nights.  Is this walking 
> distance from downtown?  What other sites in the city should we NOT miss?  
> Can anyone recommend a really nice restaurant for dinner Saturday night?
> We are celebrating our 1st anniversary and would like to go to dinner
> some place romantic.  We like Italian (fish entrees) or would be interested
> in trying the "local" cuisine'. 

Congrats on the 1st anniversary - my wife and I just celebrated OUR first
(well, first MONTH, anyway... grin)

Sorry, can't help much with other things in Asheville proper. Seems like I
remember a neat movie theater there, but I can't even promise it is still
alive. Kind of like the "Fox" in Atlanta: an old-style movie palace. I do
remember a great ice-cream place across from the Biltmore Estate (naturally
serving Biltmore Dairy products, which ARE really very good). I'm afraid to
me Asheville is a place to go through on the way to the Parkway... I40/I26
work REAL well for that...

> Also, we are planning to travel outside the city for a day, sort of a 
> "get lost in the mountains" trip.  We are looking for a Bed & Breakfast
> type establishment, in the mountains, for Sunday night.  Any suggestions?

Highly recommended: Big Lynn Lodge (in Little Switzerland NC). Right on the
Blue Ridge Parkway, and quite lovely - includes dinner, which is quite good.

Ditto: Smoketree Lodge (in Banner Elk, NC) - one of my favorite places -
even has kitchenettes in the room, plus heated indoor pool / jacuzzi, etc.
If you go there, be sure to catch Heidi's Restaurant (swiss cuisine) - superb!
This is a "ski-bunny" place that is quite wonderful for non-skiers off-season.

If you can get reservations this late (not likely) the Pisgah Inn on the
parkway (call Parkway office in Asheville for details) is a real nice place.
The mountain trout at the restaurant there is truly fine, as well.

Another neat place is Natahala Outdoor Center, with good whitewater sports,
fine "counterculture" restaurant, etc. About 30 miles west of Cherokee on
US 74/19 (avoid as much US 19 as you can). There are "rustic" logdings in
the area, if you want to "go native".

> One more question!  Is there anywhere to rappel and/or rock climb 
> around Asheville?

The classic place for that is at "Devil's Courthouse" on the Blue Ridge
Parkway, just south of Pisgah Inn. The hike to the top there is great, too.
You might also enjoy the nearby hikes at "Graveyard Fields" and elsewhere.
These are all short drives from Asheville (north on Parkway).

> Any and all info will be greatly appreciated.

My suggestion would be to dust off Asheville itself and spend most of your
time on the Parkway - one of the great scenic wonders of the Eastern U.S.
But try to avoid Cherokee and Gatlinburg in the process. Whatever, call ahead
TODAY for reservations - they go fast in this area.

> Thanks,
> Kim

Your welcome,
Larry and Milana

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