Included with admission

Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.

In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.

April is National Poetry Month and we invite all poets, would be poets and poetry fans to celebrate with Buncombe County Public Libraries.  We’ll be hosting the following free events at libraries all over the county.  For more information on any of these programs, contact your friendly neighborhood library.

Black Out Poetry Kits Available at the Library
All Month Long
Every Library

Come to any library and pick up a free kit to create a black out poetry masterpiece. Black out poetry doesn’t start with a blank page, it starts with a page of words taken from an old book. Poets will eliminate words to create a poem composed of the words left on the page. Visit any branch of Buncombe County Public Libraries in April to pick up your very own black out poetry kit featuring markers, inspiration and pages of print to begin your creation. When you’re finished, photograph your creation and upload it to facebook or instagram. Tag your library’s account and we’ll feature it as a post! You can also drop your poem by the library and we’ll post it for you. Kits are available while supplies last.

We are OPEN Fridays and Saturdays
for private, pre-booked tours at:
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:00 PM

“Take a Woolworth Walk on the Wild Side” – Participating local
artists will donate a percentage of sales of art depicting native wildlife in
a variety of mediums.

Woolworth Walk and participating local artists join to support
Appalachian Wild’s mission to help save injured and orphaned wildlife.
Appalachian Wild provides care for approximately 2,000 animals
annually.

Join Buncombe County Public Libraries, Buncombe County Recreation Services, and the Asheville Museum of Science for the NC Science Festival’s main event, the Star Party! We’ll be hosting a socially distanced, outdoor event for all ages at Cane Creek Pool on Friday, April 16. The program starts with a very special space-themed story time with songs, dance, and puppets at 6 PM. Story time will be followed by a short intermission, and then families are invited to join AMOS astronomer Hary Lazich for a presentation about the night sky.
This program will be held outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, our rain date is the following evening, Saturday, April 17.

Capacity is limited for this free event, and registration is required.

For the safety of staff, presenters, and attendees, we will be enforcing safety precautions for the duration of the program. As part of the registration process, attendees will sign a waiver indicating they understand that all members of their party will wear a mask and stay in their designated circles in the grass. You are welcome to bring blankets or chairs to make your circle extra comfortable!

It’s a sport, a hobby, a profession, a skill! Fishing crosses all gender, cultural, and economic lines. For some, it’s about catching the biggest fish, for others it’s the quantity. The adrenaline rush and pride when a line is pulled in is the same either way.

Buncombe County Recreation Services spring kids fishing tournament at Charles D. Owen Park (875 Warren Wilson Rd. in Swannanoa) on Saturday, Apr. 17. The tournament is open to anyone 15 years-old or younger. Competitors are divided into age groups with prizes in each for Biggest Fish, Smallest Fish, Most Fish Caught, and Most Accurate Casting Skills.

Current North Carolina guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives will be enforced.

“Fishing builds confidence, improves coordination, teaches patience, and encourages an appreciation of nature,” said Mac Stanley, Outdoors Coordinator for Buncombe County Recreation Services. “This tournament is a great way to introduce our younger residents to healthier lifestyles and decrease screen time – at least for a little while.”

As a catch and release tournament, fish are released back into the lake after they have been weighed and measured. Registration is $10 per competitor and includes a bucket, bait, snacks and drinks, and an I Heart Parks sports bottle. Participants bring their own poles.

Preregistration is available and recommended. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. the day of the tournament. Fishing commences at 8:30 a.m. and ends promptly at 11:30 a.m. No fishing license is required for North Carolina residents under 16 years old. No boat fishing is allowed during the tournaments.

Competitors are also encouraged to bring non-perishable healthy grains, protein, fruits, and vegetables from MANNA FoodBank’s Most Needed Food List.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

River’s End Restaurant is an iconic spot for locals and visitors to Bryson City. Enjoy spectacular views of the gorge, with paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Stop in for year-round lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch during the summer season, and choose from a wide range of appetizing entrees, burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Hang out for a while and enjoy a large selection of signature cocktails, wine, and beer, including local favorites.

In River’s End Restaurant, every seat has a view of the river! Enjoy music by the river and views of paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Join our waitlist online to reserve a table or order online and grab your meal to go, for a sunny lunch right by the river!