Asheville 

If you are eastbound on I-40, exit 44 is your first Asheville exit. There are also several hotels there and an excellent Mexican restaurant (north of the exit and about 150 yards on the right). Also, if there is a difference in the gasoline prices in the Asheville area, they are sometimes a little lower here. We’ve never seen them higher.

Exit 47 is the I-26/I-40 interchange. You need to get on I-26 east if you’re going to the NC Arboretum – see below). I-26 is the only decent route from this part of the world connecting with areas north or south of Asheville. (Yes, I-26 is supposed to be an east-west Interstate but in North Carolina and Tennessee it goes north-south even though signed east-west. Love it!

The left lane of I-40, here, is the I-240 on-ramp which takes you through Asheville, the new I-26 west (think 'north') to Tennessee. I-240 goes through a cut in a mountain and, finally, rejoins I-40 at the east side of town. Unless you wish to stop somewhere in the downtown area, if you're traveling on I-40, we recommend you stay on I-40.

Visitors' Center - From I-26 or I-40, take I-240 into Asheville. If eastbound on 240, take exit 4-C and turn right at the top of the exit ramp. The parking lot for the Asheville Area Convention & Visitors Center (also their Chamber of Commerce) is evident to your right at 151 Haywood Street. If westbound on 240 take the Montford Street exit (right after Merrimon Ave), turn left, cross over I-240 and turn left again. The parking lot for the Asheville Area Convention & Visitors Center (also their Chamber of Commerce) is evident to your left at 151 Haywood Street.
  For more information phone 1-800-257-5583 (toll free).

Biltmore House & Gardens and Winery - Built as the home of George Vanderbilt, the 250-room French Renaissance chateau known as Biltmore House is the largest private residence in America. Richard Morris Hunt designed the mansion and Frederick Law Olmsted landscaped the original 125,000 acre estate (now 8,000 acres).
  On view in Biltmore House are more than 70,000 priceless antiques and art objects collected by Vanderbilt during his travels. In addition, guests can enjoy over 75 acres of gardens and formal grounds surrounding Biltmore House and tour the Biltmore Estate Winery, " America's most visited winery".
  The Estate is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.
  Admission FEE: Every time we've been there the admission has been jacked up a little more. The last time, 2002, it was $32 (per adult!); ages 10 through 14, $24. All tours are self-guided but they will sell you an cassette tape tourist guide ($5 in 2002). There are also several special "Behind the Scenes" and Rooftop guided tours; they are also available at an additional cost.
  From I-40 take exit 50 (if eastbound) - or 50-B (if westbound) - and drive down to the bottom of the hill. Try top get in the left lane but stay out of the right lane. At the fork (bottom of hill), the left 2 lanes will be on the left fork. Now you MUST be in the left lane because you will be turning left (in 3 blocks) into the Biltmore Estate grounds. Immediately to your right is a small parking lot where you get information, buy tickets, etc. Then you go through a gate and drive up a long but beautiful driveway to the parking lot at the house and gardens. You can't get lost; there is someone directing you every bit of the way. The place is very well organized.

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North Carolina Arboretum - A visit to the scenic mountains of Western North Carolina would not be complete without taking time to enjoy The North Carolina Arboretum. Nestled in the inspirational mountains of the Pisgah National Forest, this innovative public garden offers the visitor a chance to enjoy gardens in a unique and beautiful setting. An exceptional number of public programs featuring crafts and gardening demonstrations make it a destination that the entire family can enjoy. Open year-around, health enthusiasts and families will enjoy the miles of biking and hiking trails from streamside strolls to more strenuous hikes. The Arboretum is also pet friendly! Your dog is welcome to enjoy the natural beauty of this site, as long as they are kept on a leash.
  The NC Arboretum hosts the Southeast's most extensive collection of bonsai, which is the ancient Japanese art of growing dwarfed, ornamentally shaped trees or shrubs in small shallow pots or trays. It is currently housed at the Arboretum's Greenhouse and Production facility. Central gardens highlight the cultural and natural heritage of the Southern Appalachian Region and feature the Heritage Garden, Stream Garden and the Quilt Garden. The NC Arboretum's Visitor Education Center offers art and craft exhibits and education programs. A gift shop is in the lobby of the Visitors' Education Center on top of the hill overlooking the parking area. There is always a lot to see and do at this jewel of the Southern Appalachian mountains!
  The NC Arboretum has recently embarked on a program to improve visitor facilities, infrastructure and gardening exhibits. Two special treats are the National Azalea Repository and the Bonsai Exhibition Garden (opening fall, 2004).
  The mission of The North Carolina Arboretum is to cultivate connections between people and plants through education, garden demonstration, economic development, conservation and research. The NC Arboretum offers visitors classes, demonstrations, exhibits, tours and events that focus on the horticulture, cultural heritage, natural history environmental sustainability.
  Some visitors' comments:
  "My husband and I were impressed with the handsome headquarters building and were delighted to visit the beautiful gardens and grounds. The greenhouses and the bonsai collection were of special interest as we have several small bonsai of our own" -- A visitor from Washington, DC.
  "What a gorgeous setting at the height of the autumn color (I had never been to that part of the world before!) and what a splendid complex for you to do all your work in. Thank you for the most interesting tour of the building, the gardens and the greenhouse." -- A visitor from the Mid-Atlantic region.
  Property is open: November through March from 8a to 7p, and April through October from 8a to 9p.
  Visitor Education Center is open: Monday through Saturday from 9a to 5p; Sundays from Noon to 5p.
  Greenhouse and Production Facility is open: Monday through Friday from 8a to 4p. (Please note that the Greenhouse and Production Facility closes at 2p Wednesdays).
  Admission is free, but the Arboretum does have a parking fee. Personal motor vehicles - $6; commercial vans - $25; tour buses - $45. All day Tuesday, parking is free for all visitors.
  For more information, please phone 1-828-665-2492. Web site: NCArboretum. 
  From I-40 exit 46, get on I-26 Eastbound and then take the first exit (currently marked exit 2).
  From I-26 - All the exit numbers on I-26 are supposed to have been changed due to the opening of the new, north extension to Tennessee. This hadn't happened last time we checked. You want to exit at the NC-191 exit (old number is exit 2). This is the first exit going east from I-40 or the 2nd exit after the Airport exit if westbound.
  At the top of the off-ramp, if eastbound turn left; if westbound turn right. Follow NC-191, past the shopping malls, to the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway (about 2.2 miles). There is a traffic light at this intersection. Turn right and stay to the right (the well-marked Arboretum entrance is straight ahead). Please watch your speed; the limit is 20 mph all the way up the mountain to the parking area and it is strictly enforced.