More than 100 years ago, George Vanderbilt had a vision of a working estate. One that could sustain itself with gardens, a dairy and beautiful forests. Like a grand fairy tale, Vanderbilt completed America’s largest home. The house itself covers four acres, and includes 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, and bowling alley. The gardens go on forever with more than 2,300 roses and 1,000 azaleas. More recently added are the winery and the inn on the estate. There is also a farm village and outdoor activities that include hiking, biking, horseback riding and rafting through the 8,000-acre estate.

Located in Asheville, this is a great opportunity to play king or queen for a day, a night, or a weekend.

Carl Sandburg lived in this beautiful home with his wife from 1945 until 1967. Everything inside is left close to how it was when he lived here. As you can imagine, there are books and magazines everywhere! A fascinating look into the life of this great talent. Designated as a National Historic Site in 1968 to honor Sandburg, the house actually dates back much before his time. It was built by Christopher Memminger, Secretary of the Treasury for the Confederate Army, in 1838 to escape the malaria ridden summers of war torn Charleston.

Also on the estate is the Connemara Farms Goat Dairy. Sandburg’s wife operated the dairy and raised champion goats as milk producers. The floppy-eared calicoes are particularly appealing.

This National Parkway is a must-see when you are in the area. Noted for its scenic beauty, the Parkway runs for 469 miles from the southern terminus of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive in Virginia to U.S. 441 at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, NC. Construction began during the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt and took more than 52 years to complete; the last part around Grandfather Mountain finished in 1987.

The Parkway is a bit more rugged and higher in elevation in North Carolina. It reaches 6,000 ft. south of Asheville and leaves the Blue Ridge to follow the Great Smokies through the Great Smoky National Park.

Visitors can simply enjoy the drive, or you may wish to stop to participate in a few activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, trout fishing, hang gliding or biking.

A new Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center is being opened in Asheville with exhibits about the how the Parkway was constructed and all the natural wonders along the way.

Flat Rock Playhouse is the official State Theatre of North Carolina and is renowned for its professional performances. The eight-month season includes plays, Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and theatre for young audiences. Call (828) 693-0731 for tickets or visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

Native American Cherokee proudly preserve their culture in the same mountains where they have lived far longer than the new nation that surrounds them. In fact, archeological artifacts of stone tools and spear points verify that people lived here 11,000 years ago at the end of the first Ice Age. Here, in this sovereign nation of 100 square miles, you can learn all about the fascinating culture and heritage of the Cherokee. “Unto These Hills,” is an outdoor drama retelling the story with beautiful pageantry and authenticity. The Oconaluftee Indian Village depicts Cherokee life in 1750 and the museum brings the past to life with storytellers and exhibits.

When William Jennings Bryan spoke at the opening of the Grove Park Inn in 1913 he declared that it been “built for the ages.” How true. The Inn is still the epitome of taste and grandeur. Built from granite boulders from Sunset Mountain, it blends remarkably and seamlessly with the surrounding natural beauty, yet makes a statement of genuine and sublime hospitality. The lobby, known as the Great Hall, measures 120 feet across and has two enormous stone fireplaces that are tall enough to stand in. Famous guests included F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harry Houdini, Will Rogers and George Gershwin. Today, the AAA Four-Diamond Inn features a sumptuous spa and golf ranked among the best in the nation.