U.S. News Insider Tip: Though the Biltmore house has 43 bathrooms, you can’t use any of them, so be sure to use one of the public restrooms by the Stable Café before your house tour. – Lindsey Grossman

George Vanderbilt’s enormous French Renaissance-style estate has a storied past dating back to 1889. Considered America's largest private home, it took six years to build, with 250 rooms including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and a whopping 65 fireplaces. The estate grounds designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed Central Park) cover 8,000 acres and feature nearly 22 miles of trails, gardens, a winery and so much more.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway close to vehicles in the winter, which affords you the unique opportunity to experience it by foot. If it’s not too far, park and walk to your hiking destination. – Lindsey Grossman

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway begins in Virginia and meanders through about 250 miles of western North Carolina. With a maximum speed of 45 mph, the scenic byway offers drivers numerous opportunities to stop at overlooks, quaint mountain towns, and hiking and biking trails. The parkway is divided by milepost markers that increase as you drive farther south.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Late summer means berry season in the mountains. In August, you can hike up to the top of Craggy Gardens and pick your own wild blueberries! (While “supplies” last.) – Lindsey Grossman

One of the best trails for seeing wildflowers along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Craggy Gardens is located at milepost 364. In June, rhododendrons overtake the evergreen foliage, weaving through tunnels of twisty roots and branches, making the trail as stunning as the views from the top.

Offering more than 500,000 acres of land about 30 miles southwest of downtown Asheville, Pisgah National Forest is jam-packed with activities and breathtaking vistas. With hundreds of miles of trails and numerous waterfalls and swimming holes, the forest provides ample opportunities to appreciate the great outdoors.

One of the first national forests in the country, created partially with land that once belonged to the Biltmore Estate, the park is home to the first forestry school in the United States as well as the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

U.S. News Insider Tip: The hops don’t stop with local breweries. The Whale AVL in West Asheville boasts one of the best beer selections in the world, ranking as one of the country’s top 10 beer bars. – Lindsey Grossman

With more than 50 breweries in the area, Asheville has emerged as the beer capital of the Southeast. Sampling pints from many of the local breweries has become a favorite activity for Asheville residents and visitors alike.

Waterslide lovers can take their skills to the next level while getting back to nature at Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest. Easily one of the forest's most unique attractions, adventurous visitors can whoosh down 60 feet of sloped, predominantly flat rock that’s powered by 11,000 gallons of water per minute. The slide empties seamlessly into an 8-foot-deep pool below. Many make the trek to Pisgah National Forest to line up and take turns sliding down this fun natural wonder. Adventure Pisgah manages the site during the summer; during the offseason (after Labor Day), it’s an “enjoy at your own risk” attraction and there are no lifeguards. There are two observation platforms where those who don’t want to swim can take in the action. 

Recent visitors who took the plunge at Sliding Rock said they had a blast, and called it a must for every family’s bucket list. While travelers were unanimous in recommending a detour to Sliding Rock, they did warn that the water is cold (even in warmer weather) and you should expect crowds. For fewer lines and easier parking, avoid the peak hours between noon and 4 p.m., visit on a weekday, and bring aqua socks and a rash guard or swim shirt. 

Unsure of where to stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway? For unbeatable views of the mountains, pay a visit to Mount Mitchell State Park. Home to the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River (6,684 feet), it’s one of the parkway’s most popular attractions. Unlike many trails, this summit can be reached by car. A 4.5-mile paved road off the Blue Ridge Parkway takes you to the top, with a short walk to the observation area where you'll be treated to 360-degree views of the surrounding scenery. What's more, visibility from the top goes as far as 85 miles.

Those hiking to the top have 40 miles of trails available that vary in difficulty and intensity. The Balsam Nature Trail is considered moderate, but is less than a mile long. Along this pathway, you'll find a small stream that is actually the highest spring in the eastern United States. To reach the top of Mount Mitchell like they did in the late 1800s and early 1900s, venture down the Old Mitchell Trail, which is 4 miles roundtrip. Or, you could walk the strenuous 2.1-mile Deep Gap Trail, which follows the ridgeline between Mount Mitchell to nearby Mount Craig.

Asheville’s River Arts District (known locally as RAD) started with a few studios in the mid-1980s and has grown to house nearly 300 artists and their creative endeavors. Former industrial and historical buildings – including a tannery and a cotton mill – have been repurposed and renovated as artist studios, shops, restaurants and a newly opened boutique hotel called The Radical. Visitors can stroll around the district to meet artists and enjoy works in various media, including paintings, textiles, ceramics, glass, jewelry and more. It's also a great place to pick up a unique souvenir from your time in the city, or sign up for a class at the North Carolina Glass Center to make your own special keepsake.

Though some visitors found the artwork expensive, they still loved walking around and watching the artists work. Visitors also noted the excellent reuse of a former industrial area, easy-to-find free parking, and Instagram-worthy public mural art.

Winding its way from Maine to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail (also known as the AT) spans 2,190 miles through 14 states. About 323 of those miles are found in North Carolina, including 226.6 miles along the Tennessee border.

The North Carolina section offers many of the Appalachian Trail's highest peaks, several above 6,000 feet. Hiking enthusiasts can set out on a multiday or weeklong journey (keep in mind that you'll need permits to camp and hike in some areas, especially inside the Great Smoky Mountains).

You don't need to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway to find adventures in Asheville. In fact, the French Broad River, which runs right through town, is filled to the brim with fun and exciting activities. One of the oldest rivers in the world, the French Broad is also one of the only rivers in the world that flows north instead of south (its headwaters begin in Rosman, North Carolina and runs north to Tennessee). 

Popular river activities include tubing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing and more. French Broad Outfitters is a highly rated tour operator that offers self-guided tours and rentals, plus gear for kayaking, tubing, stand-up paddleboarding and canoe. You can also find tube rentals at Zen Tubing, and if you happen to be more interested in stand-up paddleboarding with instruction, Wai Muana offers rentals, tours and lessons. 

Those with green thumbs will want to put the North Carolina Arboretum on their must-see list. Located 10 miles south of downtown Asheville off of Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 393, the arboretum is a 434-acre natural museum within Pisgah National Forest. Visitors can wander through 65 acres of lush gardens, including a world-renowned bonsai collection and more than 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking and walking. If you’re in Asheville over the holidays, don’t miss the arboretum’s spectacular Winter Lights walk-through experience that illuminates the gardens and grounds with more than a million lights.

Recent visitors raved about the bonsai exhibition as well as the walking trails. Kids can take part in a variety of interactive youth activities, such as the ecoEXPLORER citizen science program and TRACK Trail Guide.

At milepost 382 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll find the Folk Art Center, home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild. The guild dates back to the 1930s and still represents the artists and craftsmen of Southern Appalachia.

One of the most popular spots off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Folk Art Center displays traditional and contemporary crafts in three galleries, and is home to a bookstore, a parkway information desk, a library and the Allanstand Craft Shop – the oldest craft shop in America. From March to December, the center also features daily craft demonstrations. If you happen to be in Asheville in either July or October, be sure to visit the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. This event draws in more than 11,000 visitors each year and features more than 200 artists selling their craft and teaching the public about their artistic skills.

If you're itching to learn more about the natural world of Appalachia, or simply have kids in tow, make sure that the Western North Carolina Nature Center is on your itinerary. The Nature Center, located just 5 miles southeast of downtown Asheville, is filled with 60 species of animals that are either native to the region or have at one point lived there. Resident animals – most of which cannot live in the wild on their own due to injury or imprinting (meaning they have no fear of humans and no skills to live in the wild) – include black bears, river otters and foxes. And don’t miss the red wolves, the world’s most endangered wolf species.

Both visitors and locals love coming to the Western North Carolina Nature Center. Travelers really enjoyed getting to see the various animals, especially the wolves and red pandas. Others appreciated the shaded paths and friendly staff. Another thing visitors agree on? This place is perfect for kids. In addition to plenty of exciting animals, the nature center also has Montessori-like interactive play areas for kiddos, gem and fossil mining, as well as free daily animal programs.

Art lovers should get fired up for a stop at Lexington Glassworks. The gallery and studio prides itself on an open door culture, inviting you to watch these talented glass artists hone their craft. The gallery shows off an impressive display of both functional and decorative pieces that make great souvenirs, from drinkware to ornaments. Remodeling? Consult with Lexington Glassworks’ Lighting Design Studio for stunning custom pendants and other fixtures that will literally light up a room.

Several visitors described Lexington Glassworks as one of their Asheville musts, particularly noting the quality of the glass, friendly staff and the mesmerizing experience of watching the makers at work. One visitor points out that while many places in Asheville are closed on Tuesdays, Lexington Glassworks remains open if you’re planning your trip for midweek. 

The perfect blend of historical and hysterical, LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours welcome visitors aboard the company’s signature purple buses to drive around downtown and surrounding neighborhoods for a look at the city’s history, beer culture, ghosts and more. Along the way, you’ll meet zany characters and enjoy lots of laughter. LaZoom offers four tour options: the popular 90-minute Asheville City Tour (appropriate for ages 13 and older), a one-hour haunted comedy tour (ages 17 and older), a three-hour brewery tour (ages 21 and older) and a one-hour Kids Comedy Tour that’s suitable for all ages.

Both visitors and locals love these one-of-a-kind tours. Reviewers rave about the funny, witty guides and characters you interact with along the way. Locals call LaZoom a great way to introduce out-of-town guests to Asheville.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Long line at the Pinball Museum? Check out the Amazing Poster Vault with 40 video games right below the museum for only $5, and the attached Lunchbox Hall of Fame with more than 200 classic lunch boxes for just $1. – Lindsey Grossman

The Asheville Pinball Museum offers the perfect activity for all ages, with 35 pinball machines and 35 classic video games to bring out the kid in everyone. A rotating collection of fully operational vintage games date as far back as the 1960s, with machines on display from as far back as the 1930s. Rare games include "Dragon's Lair," an original "Star Wars" cockpit and a 1979 Atari Football game. With sodas, snacks and beer for sale, you can easily kick back for a couple of hours. Up to 65 people are allowed in at a time, so there’s always a game available to play.

Self-made millionaire E.W. Grove (developer of The Omni Grove Park Inn) conceived what he called “the most elegant building in America” when he built the Grove Arcade almost 100 years ago, creating the country’s first indoor shopping mall. Throughout its storied history, the architectural marvel served as a military center during World War II, and was home to the National Weather Records Center before a full renovation returned the Grove Arcade to its original vision. Today, the first floor of the Grove Arcade is filled with galleries, restaurants and shopping, with offices and residences on the higher floors. 

Visitors describe the Grove Arcade as a must-see for architecture lovers (who should check out the self-guided architecture tour), and appreciated the air-conditioned reprieve from the summer heat. Housed inside the Grove Arcade, the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar is a favorite of both tourists and locals.

Weaving through downtown, the 1.7-mile-long Asheville Urban Trail walks visitors through the cultural and architectural history of the city. Public sculptures that speak to the city’s history mark each of the trail's 30 stops.

The self-guided tour takes you through five time periods, from the Gilded Age to the present Age of Diversity. The trail starts at Pack Square at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and Patton Avenue and circles around the downtown area, arriving back at the square for the final bronze statue. Set aside two hours to complete the entire trail at once, or discover it in bits and pieces with each visit.

If you want to connect to nature without driving too far out of town, take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens at Asheville. Located less than 2 miles north of downtown and neighboring the University of North Carolina at Asheville campus, the gardens sprawl across 10 acres, showing off Southern Appalachia’s incredible biodiversity with more than 500 species of native plants. The main loop trail is about half a mile, with gravelside trails splitting off for those wanting to explore further. Bring a picnic or choose one of several points to access Reed Creek for some rock hopping and splashing around in warmer months. You’ll also find several benches along the trails to rest and take it all in. There’s always something blooming, but the best time to visit is when the wildflowers peak in April and May and again mid-summer through early fall. Kids can learn about the different plant species with one of five investigation passports, which encourage little ones to interact with the garden and hone their observation skills (passports are available at the visitor center).

Garden visitors emphasize the natural, unmanicured feel (this is not a fancy botanical garden with high-maintenance exhibits), so temper your expectations. Reviewers also appreciated the clear signage and knowledgeable staff.

One of the greatest American literary minds of the early 20th century, Thomas Wolfe was inspired by his time in Asheville, and at this historic downtown Asheville home in particular. Built in 1883, the house has changed ownership several times, and was at one time owned by Wolfe’s mother, who ran it as a boarding house. Wolfe pays tribute to his time in this house and in Asheville in his first and most famous novel, “Look Homeward, Angel.” Tour the house to gain a better understanding of how the renowned author’s childhood home influenced his work. The attached visitor center features a gift shop and an exhibit on the life and work of Thomas Wolfe. 

Visitors say the home not only offers unique insights into Thomas Wolfe’s life, but the city of Asheville as well (it’s a North Carolina State Historic Site). Visitors who weren’t as aware of Wolfe before the tour still enjoyed it and got a lot out of the experience.