Asheville may be the perfect small city. The eclectic vibe and laid back feel attract a wide range of visitors and residents to this southern city with mountain roots. With two downtown areas, Historic Biltmore Village and downtown Asheville, a diverse and vibrant art scene, Art Deco architecture and friendly locals, all surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, there’s a variety of attractions to keep everyone happy.
Visitors and locals enjoy a day at the Biltmore House and Estate, the country’s largest private residence. Guests can wander through the beautifully decorated house, enjoy the extensive gardens and paths, and live it up like an heir at a country estate at the new Antler Hill Outdoor Center, where you can take a lesson at the Land Rover Experience and Driving School, learn to fly fish, float down the French Broad River, or take aim at clay pigeons with a Berretta shotgun.
Even if you’re not staying at the Grove Park Inn, treat yourself to brunch on Sunday morning. It’s divine, and the view is unmatched, with the expanse of mountains and the city of Asheville visible a few miles away.The self-guided 1.7 mile Urban Trail in downtown Asheville is a mix of urban exploration, history lesson and art exhibit as you follow the trail through 5 periods in Asheville’s history. Other tours allow you to glide through Asheville on a Segway, taste your way through the streets of Biltmore Village or downtown with a foodie tour, or laugh on a purple bus as you learn Asheville’s history with husband and wife comedians as your guides. Visit our tour section for more information.
Shoppers will love the variety of traditional arts and crafts to avant-garde attire. The art galleries, Folk Art Center, and the Woolworth Walk and Kress Gallery, both representing a treasure trove of artists, provide endless possibilities for reminders of your trip to Asheville.Nature lovers can hike part of the Mountains to the Sea Trail, drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, kayak past the Biltmore House and through town. The North Carolina Arboretum provides an ever changing tableaux of native flora, some in natural setting, some in thoughtfully arranged gardens such as the Bonsai Exhibit or the Quilt Garden. For a free treat for the eyes, visit the Botanical Gardens next to UNCA.
Kids in tow? Pack Place is the place to be. A vibrant centerpiece of downtown Asheville and the keystone cultural facility in the Pack Square Cultural District, this bustling complex includes the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Earth Science Museum, Diana Wortham Theatre and the YMI Cultural Center. An Asheville landmark, Pack Place also offers meeting rooms and creative spaces for hosting special events and are the starting point for numerous walking and guided tours of Asheville. The Colburn Earth Science Museum has displays of gems and minerals from around the world. For the most fun you can have with a rock, pick out a geode and be the first person in the world to see what’s inside when the museum staff crack it open right in front of you.
A visit to the Asheville Art Museum, also in Pack Place, is a good bet for older children. The Nature Center is home to many native animals, including bears, red wolves, and playful river otters which you can watch from above or through a glass wall, as they swim and twirl underwater. Asheville is an invigorating place to explore. You will find a rich blend of people, from self-proclaimed “crunchy nutty granola” types, to regular folks, active retirees, to well-heeled shoppers. Since Asheville is one of the best places in the country to live, perhaps one of the rarest people to find is an Asheville native. If you find one of this rightfully proud bunch, pull up a chair, they are happy to talk about their favorite place.
Private Walking Tours can be scheduled any evening at 6:15 PM and on the weekends any time 3 PM or later, call or email for availability! The Asheville Private Walking Tours are a lot more than just about history, they are also a great introduction to what there is to see, eat, and do in the downtown area of Asheville. Our 75 minute walking tour begins in front of the Vance Monument in Pack Square and ends in front of the Basilica near the Grove Arcade, total walking of less than ½ mile. Throughout the tour, the tour guide will point out great restaurants, food trucks, spas, and shops, many of which offer a discount to those on the walking tour. Our private walking tours are great for any size groups and there are discounts for larger groups! Ask about our discounts when you book your discounted Asheville area hotel with us.
Groups from 1-3 are a flat rate of $50 total for the group. Groups of 4+ are $15 per person. You can also add a mini-food tour with 2 food stops to your private tour with our “Sweet and Salty” option. We will stop for 1 sweet snack and 1 savory snack as we walk around Asheville. Please add $15 per person to the above prices for this mini-food tour option.
Sponsored by Wilcox World Travel & Tours the walking tours of Asheville are just the beginning of what have to offer in the Asheville area. Discounted local hotels, discounted Biltmore House tickets, food and wine tours, these are some of the many new ways to experience the best city in Western North Carolina. Tours are guided by CJ Jones, an expert Travel Consultant and Asheville Destination Specialist. Call or email 828-210-8185, cwjones@wilcoxtravel.com.
