We are Asheville. The heartbeat of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A mixture of genres, a hybrid of styles. Where emerging ideas flow and the changing seasons bring energy and inspiration. Deeply rooted and ever-evolving. Drawing you in and calling you back again.

You are welcome here.

Completed in 1895, George Vanderbilt’s 250-room chateau is as impressive today as it was more than a century ago. Biltmore House is truly a wonder of architecture and hospitality. As our guest, you’re invited to enjoy a self-guided tour of the house, as well as the beautiful gardens and grounds surrounding it, which were designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Pigeon Forge

At Pigeon Forge, a moment can last a lifetime. For generations, visitors have returned to explore our little mountain town in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. As a year-round family-friendly vacation destination, Pigeon Forge is filled with fun activities. From thrilling attractions and award-winning shows to countless options for dining, shopping and places to stay, it’s easy to see why so many consider Pigeon Forge their home away from home. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Experience Gatlinburg & The Smoky Mountain Adventure

The mountains are calling! Gatlinburg is perfectly suited for big adventures in the great outdoors. Experience your own mountaintop adventure right from downtown. With miles of hiking trails in the mountains and tons of dining options, attractions, shopping, and arts and crafts in town, Gatlinburg is your basecamp for adventure in every season.

There are plenty of things to do and see when you visit the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood Parks & Resorts at any time of year. Visitors enjoy springtime in the Smokies with warming temperatures and local flora starting to bloom all around. Summer is a popular time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains because the sun shines long into the evening, and the fireflies even put on a synchronized show in early June. Autumn is another great time to experience the Great Smoky Mountains as the fall foliage starts to turn in October and November—the mountain slopes change to stunning shades of gold, yellow, orange and red as the leaves signal the next season to come. During Christmas, the beauty and wonder that come with this special time of year, plus millions of Christmas decorations and lights, make it your home for the holidays. Visitors in the winter often enjoy exploring local nearby towns like Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to experience a time of reset, discovery and a fresh blanket of snow.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will take you on a journey through the Carolina Mountains and some of the most beautiful landscapes in America. The Carolina Mountains border the entire western edge of North Carolina, comprising some 52 percent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The region also includes the southern crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pisgah, Cherokee, and Nantahala National Forests. Hundreds of years ago, glacial and volcanic movement left etchings still visible on the land. In more recent times, roads and flood controls have opened the area to commerce and tourism. Early in the 20th century, the railway played a major part of the story of the development of the region. As you ride through the mountains, keep your eyes open! There are 125 varieties of trees in Western North Carolina, including hemlock, yellow buckeye, umbrella magnolia, oak, birch, sugar maple, mountain ash, Fraser fir, and short needle pine. Wild blackberries and blueberries are abundant in their seasons. In spring the mountains are alive with dogwood, redbud, flame azaleas, and mountain laurel blooms. The coming of summer heralds rosebay rhododendron and an almost endless variety of wildflowers. In the fall, many of these plants show their bright berries, while the trees glow in all shades of red, russet, yellow, and orange. A nature lover can enjoy more than 1,000 species of flowering plants, 200 birds, and more than100 species of fish and animals. This delightful mountain vacationland is like a nature conservancy dotted with small towns. Old railroad depots are located in three historic towns; Dillsboro (no current departures), a village of shops and crafts; Bryson City, located on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; and Andrews (no current departures), a scenic valley town in the Snowbird Mountains. All were founded in the 1800s and have retained some of their original character, adding to their historic charm. When you come to ride the train, we hope you’ll plan to stay awhile. You’ll enjoy the country inns, lodges, resorts, quaint shops, places to dine, historic sites, museums, and amenities. This is America as it used to be; a treasury of friendly people, a restful environment, and the beauty of nature everywhere.