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With great leaf-peeking, historic mansion tours and free music festivals, western North Carolina's favorite city is always fun for a cultural family vacation.

For such a quaint town in such a quiet region, Asheville, North Carolina has surprisingly much to offer in the way of small-city ambiance and cultural entertainment. America's largest private mansion, Biltmore, may be Asheville's best-known attraction. But the real draw for families visiting this area lies just a bit outside of town, where visitors discover hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America's most scenic byways, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2009. In addition to hiking trails, picnic spots and scenic overlooks, this drive allows families to explore small towns with vestiges of Appalachian culture and get a real feel for this corner of North Carolina.

First though, visitors will want a glimpse of the alternative lifestyle lived by America's rich and famous and, any as family with tweens or teens will know from the popular "Gossip Girl" book series and TV show, the life of Nate Archibald (a Vanderbilt heir) is pretty cool!

Biltmore & the Vanderbilt Legacy

Once the home of George Vanderbilt, historic Biltmore (800/411-3812, 1 Approach Road, Asheville, NC 28803) is truly a magnificent estate. This huge and somewhat eccentric property features the 250-room French Renaissance chateau itself, a winery, and beautiful gardens designed by the noted Frederick Law Olmsted. Families benefit from several seasonal promotions (such as free admission for kids under 16 in summer); Older kids and grandparents will enjoy touring the estate's educational exhibits of well-preserved historical artifacts. All ages will enjoy ogling the acres of gilt and marble.

At River Bend Barn, the property's interpretive center, families can learn about the estate's working life during the 1890's and see costumed blacksmiths, woodworkers and other tradespeople, or tour an old-fashioned Mercantile shop and Creamery. It's well done and entertaining, too.

There are weekend events and music performances throughout the year, but each April and May is the annual Festival of Flowers, a time when more than 90,000 tulips burst into bloom in the Walled Garden with the Biltmore's 8,000-acre backyard. Kids will love running around here.

Asheville After You've Toured Biltmore

Within the picturesque town of Asheville, catch sights such as The Thomas Wolfe Home (828/253-8304, 52 North Market Street Asheville, NC 28801) and the historic Smith-McDowell House Museum (828/253-9231, 283 Victoria Road Asheville, NC 28801), built by a wealthy citizen 20 years before the "War of Northern Aggression" and open to the public for almost 30 years. It is one of the oldest surviving houses in Asheville.

Many sites are included on the town's self-guided Asheville Urban Trail, a 2-mile walking tour that is well signposted. Families will find more than 200 shops and boutiques in town, many tucked into renovated Victorian era homes. In nice weather, take the time to admire local street performers who entertain tourists and the young collectors who breeze in and out of the many galleries. Older kids may enjoy a stroll around the River Arts District or Biltmore village, where there are more galleries and crafts shops.

In the Asheville township, be sure to begin your day at the Folk Art Center (828/298-7928) to see craft demonstrations (look for woven sweet grass baskets); the staff here will also help with general Parkway information and trip planning.

Another favorite family attraction is Chimney Rock Park (800/277-9611), which features a 500 million-year-old rock nearly 120-feet tall. You can take a 26-story elevator to the summit, then hike the Skyline Trail to the top of Hickory Nut Falls and watch while it plunges 404 feet down, or just picnic on one of the wildflower meadows.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center (888/905-7238) in nearby Bryson has great rafting facilities and whitewater daytrips. With access to six rivers, world-class instructional clinics, and a great family program, NOC boasts resources that other whitewater tour operators only dream of. During spring, families can take the challenge of rafting the recently released Class IV Cheoah River and participate in the "high water" celebrations.

The Fairgrove Carriage Company provides equipment and instruction in mountain biking, hiking trails, and half-hour tours of the Biltmore Estate by carriage. Through them, you can also organize horseback riding on the estate's 100 miles of groomed trails. Check their website for special seasonal events timed to whatever outdoors opportunities nature presents.