If you're up for the challenge, consider trekking the 2.5-mile out and back Grandfather Trail, which is one of the most arduous trails in the Southeast thanks to a series of 18 ladders positioned to aid hikers climb the many cliffs and crags. So, if you plan on exploring the park's 13-plus miles of trails, keep an eye on the forecast. Along with its towering mountain, the park is known for experiencing the South's most severe weather. The park's namesake stands tall at nearly 6,000 feet, making it the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range. Situated in northwestern North Carolina, about 70 miles northeast of Asheville, Grandfather Mountain State Park is a playground for adrenaline junkies. Plus, its location in Uptown means visitors will find themselves within walking distance of a variety of top hotels and attractions, including Discovery Place and Mint Museum Uptown. Visitors assure that you don't have to be a NASCAR aficionado to enjoy a stop here thanks to the welcoming staff and fun exhibits. What's more, the NASCAR Hall of Fame houses a nearly 300-person theater, a gear shop and a broadcast studio, among other amenities. The attraction also offers the popular Pit Crew Challenge, in which visitors are tasked with completing the duties of a pit crew, including jacking up a car, changing a tire with a real air gun and filling up the fuel tank. Along with an impressive display of legendary cars, such as Jack Ingram's 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Wendell Scott's 1962 Chevrolet Impala, the hall of fame also boasts racing simulators and exhibits that allow visitors to see inside a race car engine through augmented reality. If you're a fan of NASCAR, you'll want to stop by this interactive museum in Charlotte. After a day marveling at the parkway's scenery, retire to one of the top hotels in Asheville. If you're up for the challenge, there's also the more strenuous 2.6-mile out and back Mount Pisgah Trail, which features views of Cold Mountain from its 5,721-foot summit. This nearly 3-mile-long loop trail takes hikers to two waterfalls. When you're ready to stretch your legs, there are multiple hiking trails easily accessed off of the parkway, including the family-friendly Graveyard Fields. Popular stops along the parkway include Craggy Gardens (known for its 360-degree views and abundance of rhododendrons), Mount Mitchell (the highest peak in the eastern United States) and Linville Falls (a three-tiered waterfall that cascades into the Linville Gorge).
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There are numerous entry points to the parkway (which is free to access) in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina, but if you want to admire some of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River, you'll want to traverse the parkway near Asheville.
The 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Part of America's Favorite Scenic Drive winds its way through North Carolina. If you can't get enough of the spectacular setting, consider booking a stay at one of the on-site accommodations, including the Inn on Biltmore Estate.
Additionally, many suggest upgrading your ticket to the "Exclusive Experience" to view areas of the home not featured in the basic tour (such as the guest and servant quarters), as well as have the opportunity to be led around the house by an expert guide. Visitors also advise booking your tickets well in advance to secure your preferred time. Many travelers call this a must-visit attraction when in Asheville but warn that it can get quite crowded. When you're not marveling at the mansion's 10,000-volume library, its centuries-old tapestries or the indoor swimming pool, stroll the grounds, which were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed Central Park in New York City), or indulge in a tasting at the on-site winery. Today, parts of the extravagant home are open to the public. Dreamed up by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s, the home served as Vanderbilt's country retreat. Spanning 8,000 acres, the French-Renaissance estate boasts 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. Did you know that America's largest privately owned home is located in North Carolina? Biltmore Estate, a National Historic Landmark, is nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville.
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