The holiday season is anything but quiet in Western North Carolina. Bustling about Asheville's quaint downtown streets, rosy-cheeked shoppers peer into shop windows adorned with twinkling lights. Coffeehouses warm patrons with delectable java concoctions and the din of happy conversation. Biltmore Estate comes alive with the sights and sounds of the holidays. Auditoriums ring with familiar sounds of carols, seasonal plays, dances and symphonies, while crafters, like Santa's elves, display their hand-crafted gifts at fairs, galleries and shops.

Creating the right festive mood is the key to any holiday celebration. Here in Asheville the unique ambiance of the mountains creates the perfect setting for any holiday affair.All major points of interest in Asheville including The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Historic Biltmore Village, the downtown shopping and restaurant district, Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Asheville Art Museum and art gallery district, Asheville Visitor Center and much more.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is spectacular for viewing scenic vistas and taking a relaxing drive to reach many mountain destinations.

Asheville and the mountains of Western North Carolina are home to hundreds of memorable cultural, artistic, culinary and outdoor ctivities all year long.

at the start of the 20th century, Asheville was hit harder than almost any city by the Depression, and it didn't pay off its Depression-era debts until 1976. At one point, 75% of buildings sat empty.

Sitting amidst the displays of blown-glass pieces, paintings and sculptures at his gallery, which is on Biltmore Avenue, now one of the city's main drags, Cram recalls that when he opened the shop most locals thought him crazy. But little by little others began to follow, and by the late '90s, the downtown was starting to thrive.

In addition to Cram's ever-expanding gallery, visitors will find dozens of other new shops selling local and regional arts and crafts. And a vibrant restaurant scene has taken root the past few years with surprisingly worldly offerings.

Asheville is one of the top arts destinations in the country. Galleries abound downtown and in Biltmore Village.

Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway: Enjoy a leisurely drive to see nature's beauty while riding the crest of the mountains. Find breathtaking overlooks, numerous hiking trails, and great spots for picnics. Panoramic views at Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell. A drive south takes you through a dozen tunnels by the time you stop for lunch at the Pisgah Inn on a 5,000-foot mountaintop.

Watch a Sunset from a Mountaintop: Hike to the top of the Pinnacle at Craggy Gardens to watch the sunset (about 3/4 mile one-way).

Take a picnic to Dupont State Forest (about 40 miles from downtown Asheville) and relax by one of three waterfalls. Our favorite spot is Triple Falls, where you can picnic on a large flat rock area between two waterfalls.