Resplendent in art deco architecture, Asheville has plenty to offer visitors, from hiking on the nearby Appalachian Trail to partaking of its innovatively tasty, locally-sourced Southern cuisine. You can also engage with the bohemian side of town through its numerous art galleries or the healing arts of spa and yoga. No wonder Asheville has been called the “Austin of the East Coast -- with better scenery.”
Best Sights To See- Running hundreds of miles east from Asheville (and 50-some miles west), the Blue Ridge Parkway is an incredibly scenic drive along part of the Appalachian Mountains. For those nervous about driving along the ridge, rest assured that the parkway is well-maintained with lots of towns and attractions to visit on the side.
- Built in 1895, the Biltmore Estate is a vast estate that remains the largest private home in the country. With 250 acres of grounds and gardens, 43 bathrooms and even a winery, don’t be surprised if you end up spending the entire day exploring the gorgeous property.
Tours To Take- As Asheville is known for its locavore mindset and plentiful farmers markets, a food tour is the best way for travelers to be introduced to the city’s lively dining scene. The Eating Asheville tour focuses on farm-to-table restaurants, while Asheville Food Tours gives customers discounts on restaurants should they choose to return for a full meal.
- Quite a number of microbreweries have taken root in Asheville, and subsequently a handful of brewery tours have popped up to introduce visitors to the city’s best beer. Asheville Brewery Tours provides a van to cart customers from place to place, while BREW-ed is a walking tour with an emphasis on education, and Asheville Brews Cruise offers a gluten-free tour comprising cider, mead and wine.