Discover Buncombe: Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Blue Ridge Parkway

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial preserves the 29-room house where writer Thomas Wolfe spent his childhood. More than 85 percent of the furnishings and artifacts in the house are original. This offers a way to explore literary history through a real home: the focus is not only on Wolfe as a writer, but also on the rooms and objects in the house. The 29 rooms give the building its own scale; the large proportion of original furnishings shapes the view of this historic home. If you are interested in writers’ biographies, the Memorial offers a vivid introduction to Wolfe’s early years.

The Memorial is also a stop on Asheville’s Urban Trail. Tours of the Memorial’s historic Old Kentucky Home are offered daily on the half-hour. The trail stop and the house tour offer different perspectives: one places the Memorial in the context of the Urban Trail, while the other takes you through the historic house. If you are planning a specific tour, check the current schedule in advance.

The Blue Ridge Parkway: Take It Slow

The Blue Ridge Parkway is designed for slow travel, with a maximum speed of 45 mph. This puts the drive itself in the foreground, rather than getting somewhere quickly. In Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center provides maps and information from rangers for trips along the Parkway. The maps help you find your way along the route; check current availability for information from rangers. Before you set out, you should also check for road closures and restrictions. That is about 72 km/h.

Art in the River Arts District

Asheville’s River Arts District has numerous studios of working artists and galleries in an urban setting of old factories and historic buildings. Studios and galleries are part of a district whose built environment also contributes to its artistic character. The “Second Saturday Art Stroll” takes place there every month. If a particular date matters to you, check the current event dates.

There is also a clear difference when it comes to scheduling: tours at the Memorial are offered daily on the half-hour, while the Second Saturday Art Stroll takes place monthly. If you are planning your visit around a specific date, check the current tour schedule or event dates.

Hominy Creek River Park is a terminus of the French Broad River Greenway. The section you choose also matters for planning: construction or storm recovery work may affect individual sections. Before using the greenway, check the current conditions for the section you plan to visit.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Candler, Arden, Asheville, Swannanoa, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Leicester, Hertford County.

Return to the main travel overview: North Carolina.