Asheville Journals

Holiday Fun in Asheville

Best of IgoUgo

A December 2008 trip to Asheville by vampirefan

Stately mausoleums Photo - Riverside Cemetery, Asheville, North Carolina

Quote: After Christmas, John and I took some time to celebrate at the big house and enjoy this amazing city called Asheville.

39 Photos

Overview

Story/Tip

Stop at the visitors center Photo - Asheville, North Carolina

Quote:

We started the weekend out by visiting the grand and glorious Biltmore Estate . This incredible mansion was built in1895 and was the home of George Vanderbilt. The home is the largest private estate in the US and is open to the public to tour. While this place is incredible anytime of the year. At Christmas is become a magic wonderland and guests can take the Candlelight Tours in the evening and see the home is all is glory. While here make time to visit the Biltmore Winery which is the largest wine producer in the country and the winery is the most visited in the US. Once your done looking around, stop in at the tasting room and then on to the massive...Read More

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Grove Arcade

Attraction | "A Must Stop for Shoppers"

Quote:

Visitor's to the downtown area can not help but notice the art deco masterpiece known as the Grove Arcade, which is now a well known shopping haven filled with treats and amazing galleries. The building was the vision of E.W. Grove, who also built the elegant and grand Grove Park Inn. It was the last shopping arcade constructed in the country and was a shopping mecca for the community. The building began in 1927 just before E.W.’s death and was completed in 1929. Plans for the building included a 14 story tower but only the base of the building was ever completed. For more than a decade the shopping area was the center of community activity and offered everything from groceries...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 3, 2009

Grove Arcade
One Page Ave.
Asheville Asheville
(828) 252-7799

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Ghosts and Haunts Tours

Attraction | "The Darker Side of the City"

Quote:

When in a haunted city I will certainly find a ghost tour to take. So when planning my trip to Asheville I was glad to see they had one and that they would have a tour the weekend we were in town. John and I met our guide, Joshua, at the Battery Park Hotel in the scrumptious downtown area. Unfortunately for us this particular tour was filled with a very large amount of annoying children’s and their equally annoying parents. Leaving us to think that would be the scariest part of our trip. Thankfully Joshua offered for anyone interested to come back at 9 o’clock. Originally John and I weren’t going to take up the offer since we didn’t have anything to do. But after walking through the lobby ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 3, 2009

Ghosts and Haunts Tours
Haywood Park Hotel - 1 Batery Park
Asheville
(828) 355-5855

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Gray Line Trolley Tour

Attraction | "The Best Way to Tour the City"

Quote:

I have said many times one of the best ways to get to know a city is to take a tour of it. And one of the best tours of Asheville is with the Grayline Tours. John and I drove over to the fabulous Asheville visitor’s center to start our trolley tour. While here you can pick up visitor information, grab some souvenirs and snacks, and hit that bathrooms before your tour begins. Or should your day turn out to be warm like this day, you can pick up a short sleeve t-shirt. After grabbing some souvenirs, a t-shirt for me, some drinks, and hitting the rest room, we joined our other trolley goers and our guide George for almost 2 hours of fun. On this particular day we ended up with a t...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 3, 2009

Gray Line Trolley Tour
36 Montford Ave.

828-251-8687

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Riverside Cemetery

Attraction | "The Place to Visit Thomas Wolf"

Quote:

Looking for a quite spot in Asheville for true beauty and a way to get close to some of Asheville’s elite? Pay your respects at the Riverside Cemetery.

The cemetery is one of the cities oldest and most visited. It sits on 87 acres and overlooks the French Broad River. It is open to the public daily to not only visit loved ones but a nice place to come and take a peaceful stroll along the tree lined paths.

The cemetery dates to 1885 and since 192 it has been under the care of the city. In 1997 the cemetery was designated as a Buncombe Country Treasure Tree Preserve. There is a walking tour of the lush grounds. There are three confederate generals buried here. James Martin, Robert B Vance, and Thomas Clingman are still resting here. There are also a number of prominent citizens buried here including Jeter C Pritchard, TS Morrison, Thomas Patton, and Zebulon B Vance. Rafael Gusatavino’s, who worked on the Basilica St. Lawrence, wife and daughter, still remain in his lovely cemetery. In addition visitors can find the remains of a number of Civil War confederate soldiers, 18 German soldiers from WW1 as well as James Posey, who was a bodyguard from President Abraham Lincoln.

But most people, who come here to visit, come to pay their respects to two famous authors buried here. Both Thomas Wolfe and O Henry are interred here and their graves are clearly marked for the visitors who come by. Wolfe is a beloved son of the city and is most noted for his book Look Homeward Angel . He died n 1938 after being sent to John Hopkins for treatment of brain tuberculosis. He was born in the city in 1900 and is buried along side his parents in a simple grave. Nearby you can also find the final resting place of O’Henry otherwise known as William S. Porter. O’Henry is known for his collection of short stories and was born in Greensboro in 1862 and was laid to rest here in the Riverside Cemetery in 1910. His daughter is buried near her dad and he also has a simple grave. Apparently it is good luck to leave a penny or small souvenir on the graves as noted by the items left behind by admirers of the men.

Now according to Ken Traylor and Delas M. House Jrs.’s book Asheville Ghosts and Legends many of the dearly departed are still hanging around. Reports of solders and gun fire have been reported coming from the cemetery. Thomas himself is said to still be hanging around his final resting place

It is a really beautiful place to just wander around. There are a number of amazing graves and statues, places to just sit, and wonderful views. So when in Asheville take the time to visit some of the cities most promenade citizens. Just make sure to bring your pennies for Tom and O Henry!
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 3, 2009

Riverside Cemetery
53 Birch St
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
+1 828 258 8480

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About the Writer

vampirefan
Mount Pleasant, North Carolina

"I live in Charlotte NC with my amazing boyfriend Nick and our furry children. I am passionate about..."
113 journals
4835 photos
460 reviews

More Journals by vampirefan

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Moving Sidewalk Tours - Segway: User Rating: 3 out of 5
Gray Line Trolley Tour: User Rating: 3 out of 5
LaZoom Tours: User Rating: 3 out of 5

Asheville Journals

Holiday Fun in Asheville

Overview

Grove Arcade

Ghosts and Haunts Tours

Gray Line Trolley Tour

Riverside Cemetery

About the Writer

More Journals by vampirefan

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Asheville Tips & Stories

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