Asheville

Overview

There is something special about Asheville; TripAdvisor named the city a winner of the Traveler’s Choice Awards for top food and wine destination in the USA. This thriving gateway to the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains enthralls with its pristine wilderness, outstanding hiking and white-water rafting. A craft beer after a long hike or indulging in world-class culinary culture is easily be done in Asheville where more often than not, live music will accompany you in this town with a thriving music scene. It’s an area steeped in Cherokee history as displayed at the Oconaluftee Indian Village, contrasted by the grand splendor of the 250-room Biltmore House, George Vanderbilt’s country estate, America’s largest home.

The city‘s architectural legacy with its mix of Art Deco, Beaux Arts and Neoclassical styles is the perfect backdrop to the energy that emanates from locally owned shops and art galleries, distinctive restaurants and exciting entertainment venues. Visit one of the more than 150 artists’ studios in the River Arts District where you’ll meet artists specializing in painting, pottery, jewellery, glass blowing and more. Shopping is excellent and local with 200 boutiques and more than 30 arts and crafts galleries. In fact, there are only two chain retailers in all of downtown Asheville.

A visit to Asheville must start with exploring its celebrated food and brewer’s scene by taking walking tours of the downtown’s most popular restaurants and craft breweries. Asheville has been called the “Napa of beer”, claiming to have more breweries per capita than any other American city. Local specialties include beer-infused sweets, treats and cosmetics! Not to be missed is the unusual comedy tour which takes place in a big, open-air bus. Actors do comedy skits about the wacky side of Asheville while the audience sips beer or wine purchased at stops along the way.

They take fun seriously in Asheville; the unofficial mascot is the hula hoop!