More Summer Savings at Biltmore Estate

Asheville’s Biltmore Estate is rolling out the savings this summer. We’ve already told you kids 16 and under are admitted FREE through September 7, but there’s also a deal for adults that runs through June 30.

If you buy your tickets online, you receive a $10 savings.

Kids Visit Biltmore Estate FREE all summer

Through September 7, all kids ages 16 and under are admitted FREE to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.  when accompanied by a paying adult. In addition, kids 9 and under are FREE year round, and kids 9 and under also eat FREE at Biltmore’s Deerpark Restaurant.

Dads Visit Biltmore Estate FREE on June 21

Biltmore Estate has a special Father’s Day treat. When dads visit on Sunday, June 21, they get in free if they are accompanied by one other paying adult. Pick up dad’s free ticket at Biltmore’s Welcome Center.

FREEBIES for June 3, 2009

**The first Wednesday of each month, you can visit The Health Adventure, Asheville Art Museum and Colburn Earth Science Museum FREE of charge from 3 to 5 p.m. All three are located in Pack Place in downtown Asheville.

**Don’t forget to stop into a Sonic Restaurant tonight from 8 p.m. to midnight for a FREE 10 oz. root beer float. Details here.

Calling all Party Animals — Grandfather Mountain is Hosting a Bash

On Tuesday, June 16, Grandfather Mountain is hosting a birthday party for all of the animals in the park.

The habitat staff will conduct enrichment programs during the birthday celebration starting at 11:00 am. “Enrichment is anything to stimulate the animals and change up their day,” said wildlife manager Tanya Cline. “It can be a scent, a toy, food, or anything new in their habitat. On their birthday it will be something special that we know they will love.”

Along with birthday treats for each animal, each vehicle will get a coupon for a FREE cup of omnivore food pellets for the bears (while supplies last) and FREE birthday cake will be served from 1 pm until it runs out. Games, contests, crafts and surprises will continue throughout the day.

Grandfather Mountain is located at the intersection of US 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 4-12. There is no extra charge to participate in the animal birthday activities. For more information, please visit www.grandfather.com or contact Grandfather Mountain by phone at 800-468-7325.

Clay Day at the Folk Art Center

Set your calendar for June 6, 2009 for a fun FREE family event at the Folk Art Center. Clay Day runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event features demonstrations of throwing on the potter’s wheel, hand building and surface design. There are hands-on activities for kids and adults.

Memorial Day Weekend at Asheville’s Grove Park Inn

Thanks to Austin at Asheville’s Famed Grove Park Inn, I have some new FREE EVENTS to tell you about for this Memorial Day weekend. Best part: they are ALL open to the public.

Here’s a look at what you can do for FREE this weekend at the GPI:

Saturday and Sunday (May 23-24), FREE guided history tours of the Grove park Inn Resort from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

This Saturday, May 23, at 2 p.m. the GPI will host a FREE grilling and tasting demonstration on the Skyline Terrace at the Grove Park Inn. All are welcome!

From 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 23: a FREE Wine Tasting at the GPI’s Magnolia Lounge.

FREE Tuesdays at the Cradle of Forestry

The Cradle of Forestry, located on Highway 276 near Brevard, N.C., offers FREE admission for EVERYONE on Tuesdays! It’s also FREE all the time for kids ages 15 and younger, except during special events like Smoky Bear’s Birthday Party, which is scheduled for August 8, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission on that day is $3.00 for kids 15 and under, and $6.00 for everyone older than 16.

Regular admission rates for visitors older than 16 are $5.00 per person. It’s a great place to explore!

Front Porch Series at Thomas Wolfe House

Famed author Thomas Wolfe grew up in Asheville. His mother, Julia, ran a boarding home which is open for tours for the remarkable bargain rate of $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids.

But there’s more than just history here. This summer, the “Old Kentucky Home” will feature its FREE Front Porch Events Series from May – October (except September.

The website says:  ”Bring a bag lunch and join us on the front porch of the Old Kentucky Home for this cultural events series featuring local musicians, poets and writers. FREE.”

First Friday of each month features area musicians:

June 5:  2-4 pm:   The Buddy Davis Band
July 3:   2-4 pm:   Brook and George Buckner
Aug 7:   2-4 pm:   Clearwater Connection
Oct. 2:   2-4 pm:   Don Lewis

Third Friday of each month features local poets and writers:

June 19:   12-1 pm:   Thomas Rain Crowe
July 17:   12-1 pm:    Glenis Redmond
Aug 21:   12-1 pm:   Keith Flynn
Oct  16:   12-1 pm:   Laura Hope Gill

Summer is Bargain Time at Asheville’s Biltmore Estate

Asheville’s famed Biltmore House and Gardens offers a family-friendly summer savings plan. From May 22 to September 7, 2009, Kids ages 10 to 16 receive FREE admittance with a paying adult. Kids ages 9 and under are ALWAYS admitted FREE with a paying adult.

This offers a great chance to visit the home George Vanderbilt created in the late 1800s which remains America’s largest private residence. If you caught CBS Sunday Morning on May 17, 2009, then you saw Charles Osgood’s taped broadcast from various spots in the house and around the gardens.