<p>Heading with one of our young adult kids to Asheville, NC – have a week for the trip. Thinking of stopping off at Harper’s Ferry on the way, and will probably stop at another point – perhaps Abingdon, VA or Jonesborough, TN? </p>
<p>We like nature, history, gardens, and lack of crowds. We do not like tourist traps and are not shoppers. Prefer to explore “genuine” towns. We like “quiet quality” but not fussiness/extravagance. </p>
<p>But since we will be in Asheville, should we plan a day at the Biltmore Estate? Is it possible to do this without being overwhelmed with touristy crowds?</p>
<p>We do have two nights mid-trip booked at the Grove Park Inn – got a special offer from them. Other suggestions are very welcome.</p>
<p>THANKS for any input!</p>
<p>Stayed at the Grove Park inn a while back and loved it. GREAT spa if you’re into that. </p>
<p>When we stayed in Asheville area, we rented a luxury log cabin in the area…real nice. It was in nearby Waynesville, a terrific little town (but not too touristy) with lots of good restaurants. </p>
<p>We also liked the Biltmore Estate…perhaps call and ask them when the least crowded times are to visit during the day (morning maybe on a weekday?)</p>
<p>We bike to Harpers Ferry quite a bit and I really like the place but it CAN get crowded. Go early. Go off the beaten path (there are some terrific hikes right from the town). Maybe take kayaks out on the Shenendoah? Or bike on the C&O canal. You can bike to Shepherdstown WV and back…about 25 miles. The Ghost Tours are highly rated although I’ve never done one.</p>
<p>If you like theater, check out the Barter Theater in Abingdon. They have a website so you can see what productions will be performing while you are there. </p>
<p>If you want to stretch your legs a bit, Demascus (not far from Abingdon) has the Creeper Trail…bicycle and horse trail. You can rent bikes and, if an easy ride is your preference, they will transport you to the top of the trail and you can ride down. Beautiful scenery. In fact, we are going this weekend. There is also a website.</p>
<p>Biltmore Estate has lots to offer. Certainly, the house tours can get crowded but there is lots of other things to see as well. While in Asheville, check out downtown in the evenings. Usually you can find street performers. Good open air restaurants. Lots of art. They also have a wonderful Farmers Market where you can get local produce, wine, etc.</p>
<p>Love the Virginia Creeper Trail. DH and I have ridden it twice. It’s about 15 miles but all downhill or flat. You don’t have to be an expert biker to do it. Weekdays would prob. be less crowded. Arrange to rent bikes and take the van from Damascus to the top of the mountain.
Also in downtown Asheville you can tour the childhood home of Thomas Wolfe. Look Homeward Angel is supposedly based on his childhood/youth growing up in that house.</p>
<p>There will be crowd at Biltmore but it is pretty spectacular so perhaps worth it. Sometimes things are crowded for a reason–that is, they appeal to lots of people! Biltmore is touristy but not really a tourist trap. The gardens don’t measure up to Longwood in Pennsylvania but they are very good and the view of the mountains adds a nice touch.</p>
<p>I think Harpers Ferry us a great idea (might also stop at the Antietam Battlefield if you are at all interested in Civil war history). I remember liking Abingdon as well though more just for walking along the pretty street–Barter Theater will only work if you are spending the night in or near town. Jonesborough is interesting too though as I recall doesn’t take very long to get a sense of and appreciate. </p>
<p>When you are in Asheville you might find the Thomas Wolfe State Historic site interesting–I loved it–it is a reconstruction of his mother’s boardinghouse, because the original had burned several years ago.Not touristy though obviously designed to attract tourists. (This is the Look Homeward AngelThomas Wolfe, not Tom Wolfe the again New Journalist!)</p>
<p>If you like history, I second Antietam Battlefield. Very non-commercial…and rarely crowded. They show a terrific overview film at noon every day (and another shorter film/slideshow periodically throughout the day). If you go there, head over to Shepherdstown WV for dinner or lunch. Lots of really good restaurants including the Press Room and Stone Soup Bistro. The Bavarian Inn is good if you like german cusine. Or the Sweet Shop Bakery if you just want a casual sandwich. The Opera House shows art films. The Rumsey monument sits on the Potomac here. And the C&O trail is around the corner (great for nature lovers - we see turtles often). Anyway, the place has an old fashioned small-town feel and the folks are real friendly.</p>
<p>Loved Asheville – a very eclectic place. Biltmore was great. H & I were there in mid-August 2 years ago. We arrived when it opened and didn’t find it to be all that crowded. The tour is self-paced since they give you a “walkman” type thing with earphones. Would also recommend driving at least part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.</p>
<p>If your starting in Pennsylvania, can I assume you’ve been to Gettysburg? If not, make a stop there. Even though it is set up for tourists, I found visiting there to be a very personal and emotional trip.</p>
<p>You’ll love Asheville. Don’t forget to do wine tasting at the Biltmore.</p>
<p>We were just there (mid May).I also don’t love touristy places but seeing the Biltmore Estate was great.Rent the audio tour with the headsets, the price is worthwhile. There are more “in depth” tours available for a price and people seemed to be enjoying those,especially a group that toured the roof of the House.I especially loved seeing the downstairs servants/service area.When we came home I rented “Gosford Park” b/c the downstairs at Biltmore reminded me of the servants doings in that movie!
We actually stayed on the Estate at the Inn for two nights.Very nice place with excellent service.
We are foodies and we ate really really well in town.We especially loved the Admiral,which is a “dive bar” converted gas station with amazing food.You have to be able to tolerate the hipster, dive atmosphere though.We also ate at Zambra, which is a really good tapas place with an interesting atmosphere…We did the Sunny Pointe Cafe for a great breakfast,and one other excellent dinner in town…the restaurant name I can’t remember but can look up if you want it.
We didnt do wine tasting at the Biltmore Estate since we drink wine with dinner anyway.
There’s a wonderful small arts district by the riverfront with galleries in converted warehouses.
Its a funky little town ,with a nice mix of people, in a beautiful setting (sorry its little to me b/c I’m a NY’er) I can see why people visit, fall in live with it and move there.</p>
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