Asheville's tour de force when it comes to historical edifices, and an architectural wonder, is Biltmore Estate. It's located south of Asheville, off McDowell Street. What's the story? George Washington Vanderbilt II wanted a stately residence of his own, after his other siblings had already built theirs. So he planned his to be bigger and badder than the rest: It is a wonder to behold, it gets a million visitors a year, and - it being still owned by Vanderbilt's descendents - it's the largest privately-owned estate in the country.
Much of the estate is open to the public in the form of museums illustrating Gilded Age-living. You can see the antiquated bowling alley and exercise room, the 19th century elevators - and lots of gold. Most of the furnishings are the originals, as well as the art coming from masters of the 19th century. Check out how the maids and butlers lived, how the kitchen worked, and the estate in general.