Help with 1st visit to Asheville - Biltmore & Downtown

Hello!

We%26#39;re looking at visiting for 4 days mid-March (either Thurs-Sun or Fri-Mon). It will be my husband %26amp; I with our 5 mth old. We like B%26amp;B%26#39;s but understand they%26#39;re not that baby friendly so we%26#39;re opting for a hotel. We%26#39;re city dwellers %26amp; like unique little shops %26amp; quaint restaurants with good food. At the same time, we%26#39;re learning to adjust to baby friendly establishments :)

We%26#39;d like to spend 1 day visiting Biltmore Estate, then the rest of the time visiting the local shops %26amp; restaurants or just walking around downtown.

I%26#39;ve looked at deals for the Inn at Biltmore %26amp; saw some good reviews for packages w/the Biltmore %26amp; the new Homewood Suites so leaning towards that one. Pkg includes hotel, admission, audio tour %26amp; lunch at the Stable. Since we only plan to visit Biltmore 1 day I figured we don%26#39;t necessarily need to stay there??

I guess my questions are,

1. Which are the least busiest days to visit Biltmore?

2. By staying at Homewood would we still be close to downtown? Any other hotel suggestions?

3. What are some other things to do/see while in Asheville?

Thanks!!

Help with 1st visit to Asheville - Biltmore %26amp; Downtown

1. Probably less busy mid-week, though that time of year shouldn%26#39;t be bad. I%26#39;d go early or late.

2. The Homewood on Tunnel Road is barely 5 minutes from downtown, though not really walkable as it is a busy road and I%26#39;m not sure there are sidewalks the whole way. If you want to stay downtown I%26#39;d suggest the Renaissance or Haywood Park Hotel.

3. Lots of galleries, shops, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, walk through the Arboreteum, Nature Center...

www.exploreasheville.com

Help with 1st visit to Asheville - Biltmore %26amp; Downtown

I agree with the other post, visit the Biltmore during the week, go in the morning, if possible.

Everything is really close, so it%26#39;s no big deal to drive into downtown Asheville. Make sure you go to the Grove Arcade and walk around downtown. The Tupelo Honey Cafe is great for breakfast and kid friendly.

Go to the Grove Park Inn and have lunch at the little Grovewood Cafe (behind the main building) and just wander around. Make sure you go through the lobby and onto the big porch overlooking the mountains.

I would investigate the Princess Anne Hotel in downtown Asheville. If you want to get into the spirit of Asheville, it is so fabulous to support our small local entrepreneurs. I have no financial interest in the hotel, but I live in the neighborhood. You can easily walk to downtown from there. What is your interest in Biltmore House? Unless you are serious students of antiques, I think there are a lot of more interesting things to do in A%26#39;ville. Try our wonderful downtown Art Museum; the Urban Trail (a guide led walking tour); poking around all the small shops downtown; the fabulous NC Arboretum and its amazing bonsai display; a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway (although it may be closed in March--that could be a tricky one at this time of the year); a visit to the Thomas Wolfe House downtown; and a visit to the Carl Sandburg Home in nearby Flat Rock run by the National Park Service. If you are interested in architecture, stop in First Baptist to see Douglas Ellington%26#39;s gem and the Catholic basilica downtown is an important building. The Grove Arcade is a great place to stroll; it%26#39;s an indoor shopping mall built in the 1920s. have fun. If you like vegetarian food, you can%26#39;t beat The Laughing Seed downtown.