Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Connie Limon

This is Part 4 of a series of articles. Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Ashefield, North Carolina is a fun and educational trip for the entire family.

The Carriage Rides

The carriage rides at Biltmore Estate are held daily. It is suggest you arrange for a reservation ahead of time. The rides consist of a journey through the estate for 45 minutes on a six or twelve-person carriage. During your carriage ride there is opportunity to enjoy extraordinary views of the grounds. Cost per person is $35 in addition to the estate admission. One child 5 years and younger can ride free per one paying adult.

The Private Carriage Rides

A private carriage ride at Biltmore estate in Ashefield, North Carolina can be reserved two days in advance. These rides consist of a private 90-minute ride in an elegant vis-à-vis carriage to allow you to enjoy the estate’s beauty. Cost for up to four guests is $275. This cost is in addition to the estate admission.

Horseback Riding Western Style along Appalachian Trails

First time and experienced horseback riders can enjoy an unforgettable guided expedition through woodlands rich with wildlife on a horse especially chosen to match your skill level. Horseback riding is an activity to enjoy daily at the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore Estate Company advises advance reservations for the horseback rides. These rides are one hour in length and are guided on beautiful trails through the woodlands and meadows of the estate. They are suitable for beginning to intermediate-level riders. The cost is $60 per adult in addition to the estate admission, $50 per youth which is ages 6 – 16 in addition to their estate admission. The horseback rides are not available for children 5 and under.

River Float Trips

Enjoy amazing views as you float the gentle French Broad River. The French Broad River winds through the estate. You may travel by raft or kayak (depending on the water level and temperature) on your own or with a well-trained guide.

The guided river float trips are offered daily, May 4 through October 31. A reservation is suggested. Cost per adult is $30 in addition to the estate admission, $20 per youth ages 3 – 16 in addition to estate admission.

Self-guided float rentals are available daily May 4 to October 31. A reservation is suggested. These activities consist of a self-guided 3-mile float trip down the French Broad River. It includes rental and safety equipment, a safety orientation plus transportation to and from drop off and pick up sites. The Biltmore Estate Company does recommend you have paddling experience. Cost for the activity is $20 per person ages 6 and up in addition to estate admission. One child, ages 3 to 5, can go free with one paying adult.

Please review the following checklist suggested for a river outing:

• By all means, do not forget your sunscreen
• Children must be at least three years old and at least 35 pounds to participate in the river outing activities at the Biltmore Estate.
• The Biltmore Estate Company requires children 14 and under to be accompanied by an adult.
• Youths 15 to 17 years of age must have an adult sign their liability release for the river outing at Biltmore Estate.
• Please be advised that availability of river outings is depending on river and weather conditions. If you are interested in the river outings, you will definitely need to plan the activities while keeping abreast of weather and river conditions.

Biking Riding

At the Biltmore Estate you can bring your bike along or rent one from them. The Biltmore Estate in Ashefield, North Carolina boasts of a cyclist’s paradise with miles of trails. There are choices that range from challenging trails for experienced mountain bikers to easy paved trails that follow the French Broad River. There are also well-marked woodland trails that wind through whisper-quiet forests and wildflower meadows. What more could one ask for in total serenity and beauty?

Bike Pass Required

The Biltmore Estate requires guests to obtain a bike pass that includes access to all the Biltmore bike paths in addition to a free map of the trails. A reservation is not required. All participants are required to check in at the Explore Biltmore Outdoor Center. Cost per guest is $5 in addition to the estate admission.

Continued in Part 5

Important Disclaimer: The web site address listed in the resource box of this article is not associated with the Biltmore Estate or any of its employees. This article and the web site are for information purposes only.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about planning a trip to the Biltmore Estate visit http://smalldogs2.com/BiltmoreEstateTripPlan For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special sections of other topics visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

By Sam Huntington

Fayetteville, North Carolina has some of the best theater in the south. If you are a person who enjoys culture, you will find what you’re looking for.

In addition to fine art and symphonies, Fayetteville is home to some wonderful theater, all within the splendor of the south. No matter what your tastes, there is bound to be something to suit you in this charming, southern city.

The Cameo Theater is located on Hay Street, which is in the heart of downtown Fayetteville. The Cameo Theater is a 1920s house that has been restored to magnificence. Here you can view independent and foreign films in a pristine atmosphere second to none. The Cameo was recently recognized by the Sundance Film Festival where it was pictured in one of their publications. This charming theater is open every evening and the pictures change weekly. Anyone who enjoys independent or foreign film will love watching films in this beautiful building.

One of the most award winning live theaters in the area is the Cape Fear Regional Theater. The Cape Fear Regional is located on nearby Person Street in downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina and features dramas, comedies and musical productions. The Cape Fear Regional Theater has been entertaining audiences for over 40 years and often features some guest stage and screen stars. There even run children’s matinees.

Both the Cape Fear Regional Theater and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra often host productions at Campbellton Landing, an amphitheater located on the nearby Cape Fear River. Here you can stroll along the beautiful river front before and after some of the finest productions in the area. Campbellton Landing has many productions throughout the year, ranging from classical music, live theater and jazz performances.

For improvisational comedy, check out Stage Door Theater located on Cambridge Street. Each Friday and Saturday evening, crowds enjoy the hilarious improv performances from the talented comedians at the Stage Door. In addition to the wonderful improvisational revues, there are also several comedy plays performed at Stage Door Theater each year. For wonderful comedy in Fayetteville, North Carolina, visit the Stage Door Theater.

One wonderful venue in Fayetteville is the Gilbert Theater. This is a non-profit house that promotes socially relevant theater and original plays written by local writers. You never know, you may be the first to discover new and exciting talent at the Gilbert in downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Another place for great productions is the Methodist College Monarch Theater located on Ramsey Street. Here you can see some of the most popular productions in the area at a relatively low price for admission. Some of the most noted names in show business once performed at Methodist College Monarch Theater, including screen star Julianne Moore.

For African-American inspired live works, check out Fayetteville State University Theater. Here you can see one of the wonderful plays written by some of the best African-American playwrights in the country. Fayetteville State University Theater is located on Murchison Road and produces several fine plays a year.

For culture, art and fine theater, visit Fayetteville, North Carolina. Here you can experience some of the most culturally significant productions in a warm, southern environment.

Sam Huntington lives in North Carolina and frequently writes about various North Carolina locales, particularly about all things Fayetteville NC. For more great Fayetteville information visit http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com