Blog by Jason Tarr

35 Blog Posts
Jason Tarr - uncropped

Jason is the former Content Manager for ExploreAsheville.com and a former television news reporter.  He's also an avid outdoorsman who spends nearly all his free time hiking and photographing the mountains of western North Carolina. When he's not hiking or writing, you'll find him singing karaoke around town or catching a local sports game.

A Vanderbilt House Party Costume Exhibition

PHOTO TOUR: "A Vanderbilt House Party" Exhibition at Biltmore

Biltmore Exhibition Dates: February 8-May 27, 2019 As you stroll through Biltmore's newest clothing exhibition, you'll experience what it was like to be a guest of George and Edith Vanderbilt at one of their extravagant house parties.  A Vanderbilt House Party: The Gilded Age  transports you back to the turn of the century by showcasing clothing in

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2018 National Gingerbread House Competition Grand Prize Winner

PHOTOS: 2018 National Gingerbread House Competition Winners

The winners have been crowned in the 2018 National Gingerbread House Competition at The Omni Grove Park Inn! And soon, you'll have the opportunity to see them on display! The display is open from Nov. 25, 2018 (after 3 p.m.) through Jan. 4, 2019 at The Omni Grove Park Inn. View the entries Sunday afternoons after 3 p.m., and Monday through Thursdays (excluding

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Turkey

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Asheville & Pre-order Meals

Asheville welcomes you for the Thanksgiving holiday! It's an exciting time to be in town as many of Asheville's favorite holiday traditions have begun. See our guide to five festive ways you can experience the holidays in Asheville. If you'll be here in the mountains on Thanksgiving Day, you may be asking, "Where can I eat on Thanksgiving in Asheville?" We work with

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Christmas at Biltmore 2018

PHOTO TOUR: Christmas at Biltmore 2018

Biltmore shines with holiday grandeur as Christmas at Biltmore 2018 gets underway. Magical. That's the word guests so often use when describing Biltmore during the holidays. Ornate decorations transport you back in time and showcase a tradition that dates back more than 120 years. The stunning decorations inside the home and across the estate feature more than 100 hand-decorated

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Reproduction Costume for A Vanderbilt House Party exhibit at Biltmore Estate 2019

Biltmore Announces New Costume Exhibit For 2019 in Asheville, N.C.

See the Biltmore exhibition February 8-May 27, 2019 Biltmore hosts a new clothing exhibit in 2019 that will help you experience the Estate as if you were an honorary guest of the Vanderbilt's at the turn of the 19th century.  A Vanderbilt House Party: The Gilded Age will highlight the festive celebrations when the Vanderbilts entertained guests at Biltmore during the Gilded

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Chimney Rock

Elevator Reopens at Chimney Rock State Park

You once again are able to reach Chimney Rock and The Sky Lounge in just 32 seconds! Chimney Rock State Park has just announced that the elevator to Chimney Rock is back up and running. The elevator had been closed since 2015 for repairs. Repairs took time given the elevator is one of the few in the world located inside a mountain! All of the trails are open, including the new stairs

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Chihuly Nights at Biltmore

PHOTO TOUR: Chihuly at Biltmore

Monumental. Whimsical. Vivid. These are just some of the words that may come to mind as you experience the iconic works of world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly at Biltmore. The Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition runs May 17-October 7, 2018. Most of the glass sculptures are thoughtfully installed throughout the manicured gardens of the estate. You'll also be able to see Chihuly's work

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Winning Contest Experiences

The Top Asheville Experiences According to Our Fans

We asked our fans to share their favorite Asheville experiences in eight categories ranging from the outdoors to dining to music venues. You responded in droves, submitting thousands of nominations for Asheville's top experiences. The responses were submitted as part of our Asheville Ultimate Top 8 Getaway Giveaway. We tallied all those nominations and present to you the winning Asheville

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Downtown Asheville Skyline

Asheville Events During the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018

The FEI World Equestrian Games promise the world's best competition in equestrian sports -- with eight world championships to be decided at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) from September 11-23, 2018. During the two weeks of the Games, the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) will host the first-ever World Equine Expo. The tented exposition will offer free

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Biltmore Titanic Exhibition

PHOTO TOUR: Biltmore Exhibition Showcases Fashion from Titanic the Movie

For many of us, the scenes from the movie Titanic are etched in our minds as if we had lived them ourselves. From the famous scene when Jack sketches Rose to the tragic ending of the film when Rose tells Jack, "I will never let go," the actors and the costumes they wore helped make these movie moments unforgettable.  An exhibition going on now through May 13, 2018 at Biltmore helps

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