Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Asheville West (Biltmore Estate), NC

As the country seeks ways to be green and environmentally conscious, gardening comes into their lives. This herb...

As the country seeks ways to be green and environmentally conscious, gardening comes into their lives. This herb festival contributes to the movement, letting attendees discover how to best use herbs and distinguish their individual characteristics and charms. You can buy all sorts of specimens to cultivate on your own, or you can purchase books, soaps, teas, and gifts that feature the plants. Plus, lots of folks are on hand to impart advice about how and where to use the fascinating, fragrant range of herbs.

Hours: May 2013

Sure, you love the mountains, but you want to spend your leisure hours doing more than browsing arts and crafts booths...

Sure, you love the mountains, but you want to spend your leisure hours doing more than browsing arts and crafts booths or listening to live music. This festival kicks up the action and expects you to join in! It consists of a variety of body-testing pursuits, including cycling, running, climbing, paddling, skateboarding, and even playing the much-maligned dodge ball. Catering to novices and pros alike, the festival will definitely get your blood pumping!

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Fri, May 25, 2012 Sat, May 26, 2012 Sun, May 27, 2012

In the market for something stunning and well-crafted for your home? This venerable antiques show is highly regarded,...

In the market for something stunning and well-crafted for your home? This venerable antiques show is highly regarded, and the merchandise it presents runs the gamut from furniture and silver to art, rugs, and jewelry. Most items hail from the U.S. or North America, and more than 40 dealers are showcased.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Fri, Nov 2, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sat, Nov 3, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sun, Nov 4, 2012: Noon - 5pm

While Biltmore's Christmas celebration is indisputably beautiful, its spring extravaganza is just as impressive....

While Biltmore's Christmas celebration is indisputably beautiful, its spring extravaganza is just as impressive. Heralding the return of warm weather, the festival highlights the estate's amazing grounds, planted with sweeps of tulips and displaying native blossoms. Interior floral arrangements tie in to the spectacle and are lovely as well. In conjunction with the season are concerts, games, workshops, and other pastimes.

Hours: Tue, Apr 17, 2012: 9am - 6pm Wed, Apr 18, 2012: 9am - 6pm Thu, Apr 19, 2012: 9am - 6pm Fri, Apr 20, 2012: 9am - 6pm Sun, Apr 22, 2012: 9am - 6pm Mon, Apr 23, 2012: 9am - 6pm Tue, Apr 24, 2012: 9am - 6pm Wed, Apr 25, 2012: 9am - 6pm Thu, Apr 26, 2012: 9am - 6pm Fri, Apr 27, 2012: 9am - 6pm Sun, Apr 29, 2012: 9am - 6pm Mon, Apr 30, 2012: 9am - 6pm Tue, May 1, 2012: 9am - 6pm Wed, May 2, 2012: 9am - 6pm Thu, May 3, 2012: 9am - 6pm Fri, May 4, 2012: 9am - 6pm Sun, May 6, 2012: 9am - 6pm Mon, May 7, 2012: 9am - 6pm Tue, May 8, 2012: 9am - 6pm Wed, May 9, 2012: 9am - 6pm Thu, May 10, 2012: 9am - 6pm Fri, May 11, 2012: 9am - 6pm Sun, May 13, 2012: 9am - 6pm Mon, May 14, 2012: 9am - 6pm Tue, May 15, 2012: 9am - 6pm Wed, May 16, 2012: 9am - 6pm Thu, May 17, 2012: 9am - 6pm Fri, May 18, 2012: 9am - 6pm Sun, May 20, 2012: 9am - 6pm

Most runners in the heat of competition focus on their own stamina and pacing. These two races seek to derail that...

Most runners in the heat of competition focus on their own stamina and pacing. These two races seek to derail that focus. Run entirely on Biltmore Estate property, the 15k and 5k highlight the incredible mountain beauty created by George Washington Vanderbilt II. Both races begin at the winery and take advantage of estate features. The number of participants is limited, so plan early.

Hours: Sun, May 20, 2012: 8am

Contrasted with the European-inspired glory that is Biltmore, local life could seem lacking. This autumn festival proves...

Contrasted with the European-inspired glory that is Biltmore, local life could seem lacking. This autumn festival proves that that perception is anything but the case. Appalachian culture is highlighted in style, and visitors can see the local customs, traditions, and peoples who helped build Biltmore and give it its color. Turn out for food, music, dance, wine, and exhibitions of the trades that contributed to the daily workings and success of the estate.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Tue, Oct 1, 2013 Wed, Oct 2, 2013 Thu, Oct 3, 2013 Fri, Oct 4, 2013 Sat, Oct 5, 2013 Sun, Oct 6, 2013 Mon, Oct 7, 2013 Tue, Oct 8, 2013 Wed, Oct 9, 2013 Thu, Oct 10, 2013 Fri, Oct 11, 2013 Sat, Oct 12, 2013 Sun, Oct 13, 2013 Mon, Oct 14, 2013 Tue, Oct 15, 2013 Wed, Oct 16, 2013 Thu, Oct 17, 2013 Fri, Oct 18, 2013 Sat, Oct 19, 2013 Sun, Oct 20, 2013 Mon, Oct 21, 2013 Tue, Oct 22, 2013 Wed, Oct 23, 2013 Thu, Oct 24, 2013 Fri, Oct 25, 2013 Sat, Oct 26, 2013 Sun, Oct 27, 2013 Mon, Oct 28, 2013 Tue, Oct 29, 2013 Wed, Oct 30, 2013 Thu, Oct 31, 2013

Think about the work involved in getting your own home ready for the holidays, and then imagine if it sprawled across...

Think about the work involved in getting your own home ready for the holidays, and then imagine if it sprawled across 175,000 square feet. That's the task that confronts the Biltmore Estate staff, but it's one that they perform admirably, and the end results are gorgeous. Come view the mansion decked out with garland, trees, flowers, decorations, and all the myriad trimmings. It's a magical sight and one you'll want to return to see again and again. Lots of special events are planned.

Hours: Daily Sat, Nov 3, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Nov 4, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Nov 5, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Nov 6, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Nov 7, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Nov 8, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Nov 9, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Nov 10, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Nov 11, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Nov 12, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Nov 13, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Nov 14, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Nov 15, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Nov 16, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Nov 17, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Nov 18, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Nov 19, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Nov 20, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Nov 21, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Nov 22, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Nov 23, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Nov 24, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Nov 25, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Nov 26, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Nov 27, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Nov 28, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Nov 29, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Nov 30, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Dec 1, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Dec 2, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Dec 3, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Dec 4, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Dec 5, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Dec 6, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Dec 7, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Dec 8, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Dec 9, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Dec 10, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Dec 11, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Dec 12, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Dec 13, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Dec 14, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Dec 15, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Dec 16, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Dec 17, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Dec 18, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Dec 19, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Dec 20, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Dec 21, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Dec 22, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Dec 23, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Dec 24, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Dec 25, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Wed, Dec 26, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Thu, Dec 27, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Fri, Dec 28, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sat, Dec 29, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Sun, Dec 30, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Mon, Dec 31, 2012: 9am - 4:30pm Tue, Jan 1, 2013: 9am - 4:30pm

The nation's birthday is always a joyous occasion, and Asheville throws a party that's literally a blast to attend. The...

The nation's birthday is always a joyous occasion, and Asheville throws a party that's literally a blast to attend. The downtown area plies folks with lots of delicious foods, treats them to a range of musical events, and lets them slough off their cares with a host of summertime activities. At the end of the day, fireworks light up the sky in celebration, a perfect conclusion to a day well-spent.

Hours: Wed, Jul 4, 2012: 4pm - 10pm

Completely enamored of fine craftwork? You'll absolutely love this event, which has been a local mainstay for more than...

Completely enamored of fine craftwork? You'll absolutely love this event, which has been a local mainstay for more than 30 years. Over 100 vendors bring their goods to show off, and the quality is always quite high. Expect to see items made of metal, wood, fiber, ceramics, and more, not to mention jewelry and 2-D art.

Hours: Sat, Aug 3, 2013: 10am - 7pm Sun, Aug 4, 2013: Noon - 6pm

Asheville's preeminent festival is over 30 years old. The name means "beautiful living," and you'll see that it...

Asheville's preeminent festival is over 30 years old. The name means "beautiful living," and you'll see that it rings true when you're regaled by six stages of live music, loads of food and drink vendors, and countless artists selling their carefully crafted wares. Upwards of 300,000 folks turn out annually for the street party ­ it's a don't-miss summer affair!

Hours: Fri, Jul 27, 2012: Noon - 10pm Sat, Jul 28, 2012: 10am - 10pm Sun, Jul 29, 2012: Noon - 6pm