1 day - what to see/where to stay?

Attending a conference in area and looking for clean affordable accommodation for a Saturday night and have Sunday free to see Asheville area. Wondering if any overview tours or hop on/off trolley type tours to get overview? Also wondering if more affordable, secure accommodation to be found on outskirts of city? Welcome any suggestions.

1 day - what to see/where to stay?

Hi Avoca:

Definitely plan on seeing the Biltmore Estate during your day in Asheville - it%26#39;s the must-see of the area. You can easily spend a full day visiting the estate (some people spend 2-3 days). Check out this article that includes details about Asheville and what to see at the Biltmore:

planning-fun-road-trips.com/free-road-trip-p…

As far as hotels are concerned, the best is the Holiday Inn downtown - everyone loves it and it%26#39;s not very expensive compared to other local hotels.

Hope this helps!

Tara

1 day - what to see/where to stay?

Thank you - very helpful and most say the Estate is a must see and to allow a day so now rethinking trip and wondering if 2 nights in Asheville rather than 1 may be better. I will be driving from Louisville area that sounds like about 6 hours.

I have however heard how beautiful the Blue Ridge Parkway is and now toying with idea of driving Friday to Blowing Hole area and taking Parkway to Asheville on Saturday that looks like maybe a a 4 hour drive that would give me a day and a half in Asheville area. I live in a city so longing for some countryside type of scenery. I guess the other option would be to spend Friday on the road - looks like about 6ish hours to Blowing Hole and then another 4 along Parkway to Asheville area that then frees up 2 full days there.

I will have a look at downtown Holiday Inn. Other town that seems to be recommended is Black Mountain and the Monte Vista Hotel gets good reviews. Happy to say outside the city core area for chance of a view of what seems to be beautiful countryside.

Just back so I can answer my own question. I only had 2 days and didn%26#39;t make it to Biltmore this time. Since weather nice took a couple of hours drive north on Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at Visitor Centre (would skip the movie there) and Folk Art Centre (OK if you are into shopping I guess) and stopped at a few lookouts. Scenery very beautiful and got off at Little Switzerland and zigzagged back to Hendersonville where I was staying at Mountain Inn and Suites - Airport one and would recommend as good base if you want to see more than Asheville.

I took a trolley tour of Asheville on Sunday morning and enjoyed very much. You can leave car at Visitors Centre. It is on and off but only had time for one off - in River Arts district for nice bit of brunch at Clingman Cafe. I really enjoyed downtown Hendersonville for walking about and had great meal (tapas smaller portions) at Never Blue. It was nice enough to sit outside and people watch.

I attended a conference at Kanuga Centre just outside Hendersonville and would recommend - basic accommodations and great food in a lakeside/forested setting.