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.
Biltmore, America’s largest home, is known for its elegance and incredible experiences. But, just wait until you see what’s in store for the estate in 2018. It’s a big year for Biltmore, with two large-scale, world-class exhibitions enhancing an already robust lineup of special events. February marks the beginning of an exhibition of the elaborate costumes worn by Leonardo
With an emphasis on fresh farm-to-table food, Asheville's dining scene, lovingly known as Foodtopia, is hitting high marks with the nation's top food critics. Zagat just named Asheville one of the most exciting food cities in America. And, two of Asheville's chefs, John Fleer (Rhubarb and The Rhu) and Elliott Moss (Buxton Hall BBQ), were named James Beard Award finalists in 2017.
The National Gingerbread House Competition is celebrating 25 years! So, it's an especially sweet year for those who have been named winners in this year's milestone event at The Omni Grove Park Inn! This year's competition featured 170 entries from across the United States and Canada. Given the number of incredible designs, the winners were in some cases separated by a half point!
Biltmore shines with holiday grandeur as Christmas at Biltmore 2017 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 trees,
The Skyline Trail leads to stunning views of Hickory Nut Gorge Chimney Rock State Park has opened a new trail, the Skyline Trail, which travels through a beautiful ridge top forest on the way to amazing views of Hickory Nut Gorge and the upper cascades of Hickory Nut Falls! The 1.1-mile trail begins at Exclamation Point and is considered a moderate hike. Chimney Rock State Park is just 25 miles
When it comes to fall in Asheville, the autumn colors are brilliant and the beer is brewing. Raise a glass in the spirit of Oktoberfest throughout the season. You’ll find the fall season rich with beer festivals. Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other city in the United States. There are more than 50 breweries in the Asheville area. So, you’ll easily be able to get
Chihuly at Biltmore to kick off Asheville Summer of Glass Biltmore will showcase the monumental glass sculptures of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly as part of a new exhibition set to open on the estate in 2018. Chihuly's work is featured in more than 200 museum collections around the world but this is the first time his breathtaking work will be on display at Biltmore. The exhibition
It's less than a 20-minute drive from downtown Asheville to Black Mountain, recently named the Prettiest Small Town in America by readers of TripAdvisor. Black Mountain is known for its charm and its hospitality. With its top-notch restaurants, unique shops, and stunning mountain scenery, it's no wonder "The Little Town that Rocks" is a favorite destination for visitors and
You’ve already likely seen his powerful work. After all, Rafael Guastavino’s incredible tiled domes and vaultings can be found in 31 states and six countries. From the Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. to Grand Central Station in New York City, from The Public Library in Boston to Biltmore here in Asheville, Guastavino helped shape the American architectural landscape. A
From music to theater to beer, Asheville takes center stage during Asheville Amadeus. The Asheville Symphony hosts the 10-day festival, which runs March 10-19, 2017, and is inspired by the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Violinist Midori, one of the world’s most admired violinists, headlines this year’s lineup of performances, education programs, and social events. Most of
