North Carolina Icons: Asheville and the Biltmore House

This week in our North Carolina Icons series we’re featuring Asheville and the Biltmore House—numbers 36 and 10 on Our State magazine’s 100 North Carolina Icons list. Our State describes Asheville as “A different kind of place. Unless you’re a little different yourself. Make a visit and see.” During your visit, be sure to take a day to visit The Biltmore House, one of Asheville’s most famous landmarks. Our State says, “Visiting Biltmore in the spring? Enjoy the flowers. Summer? A concert on the lawn. Fall? Foliage. Winter? Christmas. Every season at Biltmore is spectacular.” The State Library of North Carolina has more information on both Asheville and the Biltmore House.

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For your Asheville and Biltmore visit, we recommend A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Western North Carolina by Catherine W. Bishir, Michael T. Southern, and Jennifer F. Martin. This portable field guide to the historic architecture of western North Carolina covers 1,200 historic buildings in 25 counties in the foothills and mountains. It features an extensive entry on the Biltmore Estate, including background, landscape, architecture, and life at the Biltmore House. Organized by county and featuring more than 370 photographs and 36 maps, the guide is written for travelers and residents alike. It offers concise entries on notable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities, emphasizing buildings that are visible from the road and indicating sites that are open to the public. It’s a great companion for history and architecture buffs.

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Remember to watch our NC Icons tag for more icons and places to visit in North Carolina.