Featured
Asheville's Eccentric Personality Is Unlike Any Other City
Asheville has a way of surprising even the most well-traveled folks. Maybe it’s the quirky guy juggling bowling pins on the street downtown next to a band of musical hippies who spontaneously gather for an impromptu drumming session. Or maybe you’re strolling down Patton Avenue (a hub for Asheville’s many street performers) and find yourself doing a double-take as a stilt walker passes you on the sidewalk. The truth is, Asheville’s culture is so refreshingly unusual, you... Read More »
Asheville's Recreational Offerings Draw People In
Asheville residents and visitors alike can enjoy activities ranging from zipline tours and hot air balloon rides to fishing and rafting in what Outside Magazine calls one of the best towns in America for outdoor recreation.
Outdoor RecreationAsheville and its surrounding areas provide many opportunities for outdoor adventurers looking to take advantage of the prime location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Water sports are popular in Asheville – especially whitewater rafting, kayaking or... Read More »
Asheville is Known for Amazing Cuisine
If you’re coming to Asheville, you better bring your appetite. The city is famous for great food, and local restaurants serve up their specialties in style.
A Trip for the Taste Buds
You can travel the globe just by exploring Asheville’s restaurant scene, from the exotic Japanese Wagyu filet served at Horizons restaurant in the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa to the Baja-style fish tacos at Mamacitas.
In the mood for French cuisine? Try the smoked trout and goat cheese salad at... Read More »
Orange Peel Named One of Best Live Venues in U.S.
Whether it’s a sold-out Bob Dylan show, a rock opera or an up-and-coming local band, The Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club is a must-see in Asheville, NC.
The Orange Peel has sold nearly half a million tickets since its reopening in 2002 and has been named one of Rolling Stone magazine's Top 5 Rock Clubs in the country.
The downtown live music club is a smoke free facility that features a state of the art sound and lighting system.
Musical acts appearing on stage have included Bob... Read More »
Nantahala Outdoor Center Teams Up With Grove Park Inn
In Asheville, outdoor recreation is out of sight.
From whitewater rafting and scenic biking trails to beautiful gardens and horseback riding, Asheville is a hub for outside activities.
It’s no wonder the city recently hosted the annual conference of the Outdoor Industry Association, a trade association that provides services for more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and retailers in the industry.
With such a strong reputation as a leader in open-air activities, it’... Read More »
Asheville Hosts Many Beer-Related Events
Many tourists to Asheville actually make visiting a microbrewery a priority, so it makes sense that the city hops to it when it comes to hosting beer-focused festivals and events.
For example, more than 30 American breweries from throughout the nation showcase more than 100 different beers every mid-September at the Brewgrass Festival. The popular event takes place at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, with food and water vendors in attendance along with live entertainment provided by a lineup of... Read More »
Chocolate Shops in Asheville, NC
As aficionados know, there’s chocolate, and then there’s chocolate: The kind some swear is better than – well, you know. And fortunately, available right here in Asheville.
Indian Kulfi, Dragon’s Sigh, Ancient Pleasures, Canela Picante and Masala Chai may sound like exotic treasures – and they are. All are unique chocolate truffle flavors you’d be hard-pressed to find in an ordinary sweet shop, but are right at home in Asheville’s finest chocolate shops... Read More »
Asheville Restaurant Scene Grows, Goes Greener
Known as "Foodtopia" for its impressive array of fine restaurants, commitment to locally grown ingredients and variety of food-related events and initiatives, Asheville soon may also lead the nation in green restaurants.
With 100,000 residents, the city already has an oversize devotion to culinary excellence and variety. It boasts more than 250 independent restaurants, 17 active farmers markets, longstanding support for the farm-to-table movement and a bevy of local farmers.
“We... Read More »
Asheville Tapped Again As Beer City USA
Asheville has refreshing answers to whatever "ales" you, thanks to 10 microbreweries doing business in the community.
In 2011 and for the third consecutive year, Asheville won the national title of Beer City USA as voted by readers of Examiner.com and organized by the Denver, Colo.-based Brewers Association.
“I was the first person to start a microbrewery in Asheville back in 1994 and never could have imagined that today there would be 10 microbreweries in a city of 70,000... Read More »
Asheville's River Arts District is Cresting With Success
Throughout its history, Asheville’s riverfront has seen an economic ebb and flow of abundance and hardship along the waters of the city’s French Broad River.
Today, abundance is flowing again, as a riverfront renaissance is riding a crest in Asheville’s flourishing and eclectic River Arts District (RAD).
Setting the Stage
It started in 1985 with Brian and Gail McCarthy’s Highwater Clays, the first arts-based business, followed by Porge and Lewis Buck, who in 1987... Read More »
Orange Peel, Moogfest and The Grey Eagle Highlight Asheville's Music Scene
Music rocks the city of Asheville with the coming of Moogfest, the three-day, multivenue event where artists, audiences and energy coexist in harmony.
But the music remains long after the curtains close on Moogfest's final act.
Creatively Contagious
Thanks in part to an art-conscious culture, Asheville has grown a music scene to rival cities twice its size, and its creativity is proving contagious.
“Asheville attracts an active, arts-going crowd which has been extremely receptive to... Read More »
Asheville, NC is a Top Place to Start a Fall Foliage Tour
Fall may just be the best time to visit one of America's most lavish homes – Biltmore in Asheville, NC. This century-old hideaway becomes surrounded by mountains glowing with autumn beauty. Thrill and chill seekers alike can find ways to enjoy the sights of autumn in Asheville. If the thought of adrenaline gets your blood moving, then a zipline tour through the forest or a climb on craggy rocks will make your heart race. There's also Segway tours, Jeep tours and guided canoe trips.... Read More »
Four New Asheville, NC Restaurants
A city doesn’t call itself “Foodtopia" without having a vibrant dining scene, and Asheville restaurants helped the town live up to its nickname even in the worst economy. When things turned bad in 2009, it would have been understandable if many locally owned eateries simply turned off the ovens and closed their doors. Oddly enough, the exact opposite has happened. Asheville’s top independent restaurateurs have actually reinvigorated the city with an impressive selection... Read More »
Fun Things To Do in Asheville
1. Visit the famous Biltmore estate, a historical and architectural wonder.
2. Spend a day (or two) exploring the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
3. Test your bravery on Sliding Rock waterfall, a 60-foot natural water slide.
4. Lose yourself in the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.
5. Feed your creativity at the Asheville Art Museum.
6. Gather up the kids for a science lesson at The Health Adventure.
7. Discover over 100 Asheville art studios and galleries in the River Arts... Read More »
Hiking Expert Randy Johnson Provides Tips for Local Trails for Every Skill Level
Western North Carolina makes it easy to lace up your walking shoes and hit the trail. That’s what brought me to the area, and the trail guides I write give me a life-enriching opportunity to share my enthusiasm for our mountains with newcomers.
Asheville’s outdoor lifestyle is no add-on – it’s an organic extension of our environment. Close-in ambles range from downtown Asheville’s Urban Trail to minutes-away paths at the North Carolina Arboretum and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at the Parkway’s... Read More »
Roller Derby Delivers a Big Hit in Asheville
Asheville may be far enough north for snow, but it does not have a hockey team. And those who want to see live football should be prepared to visit a high school on a Friday night. Yes, the town was almost completely devoid of any full-contact spectator sport until a few tough ladies laced up their roller skates and decided it was time to dish out a little pain. Actually, it looks like a lot.
Blue Ridge Roller Girls is western North Carolina’s only all-female, flat-track roller... Read More »
Unique Festivals Give Asheville Flair
Asheville's creativity and offbeat spirit doesn't stop with its dining, shopping and music scene. The city also offers any number of festivals and events – some of which are so unique they defy categorization.
ActionFest
New in spring 2010 was the inaugural edition of ActionFest, the world’s first film festival for action films and those who make action cinema possible, from filmmakers to stuntmen and fight choreographers.
ActionFest, held at at The Carolina Asheville theater,... Read More »
Asheville's Biltmore Is More Than a Mansion
Asheville's famous Biltmore is many things: a National Historic Landmark, America's largest home, a renowned winery, a world-class luxury inn and even more.
Completed in 1895, George Vanderbilt's 250-room French château is a real life wonder.
Biltmore House took six years and 1,000 men to build. It has more than 11 million bricks, 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 43 bathrooms, 34 bedrooms, and three kitchens stretching over four acres of floor space.
A stone spiral staircase that rises four floors has... Read More »
Music Pioneer Bob Moog's Legacy Lives On in Asheville
Sound pioneer Bob Moog revolutionized popular music in 1964 when he invented the Moog synthesizer.
A slate of rock's most influential bands — including the The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Beach Boys Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd and Parliament & Funkadelic — used Moog's invention to create new sounds and push rock music in new directions.
Today, the Moog (rhymes with "vogue") influence lives on as a new wave of innovative artists like Daft Punk, MGMT, Gorillaz, Radiohead, and... Read More »
Pet-Friendly Asheville Businesses Pamper Furry Friends
If you consider your dog a diva, consider taking a trip to Asheville. Asheville's extravagent love affair with its furry friends is exemplified in Blaze-N-Skyy Pet Boutique's Mutts + Divas fashion show, where pets get the chance to strut their stuff down the catwalk. Pets can be pampered at Asheville boutiques like Funky Mutt, Waggers Dog Depot and Something to Bark About. Besides haute-dog couture, these stores and others offer fresh, organic baked goods for pets, grooming, training and... Read More »
McCormick Field in Asheville, NC
McCormick Field
McCormick Field in Asheville, NC, is the longtime home of the Asheville Tourists, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. McCormick Field is both a classic ballpark and an example of a ballpark reconstruction done right. It has been the center of baseball on the edge of downtown Asheville since opening in 1924 and undergoes renovations on a regular basis. Capacity at the ballpark is 4,000 and many home runs are hit at McCormick, thanks to a right-field wall... Read More »
Asheville's Earned a Reputation for the Arts
Asheville's status as a heavyweight in the arts scene is certainly well-deserved. Its cultural prowess extends to all areas of the art spectrum, whether it be galleries, museums or public displays. Case in point: the Asheville drum circle. Every Friday night the city puts on a drum circle in downtown’s Pritchard Park. Lots of people come – some drum, some dance. It’s been going on since 2001, and has become iconic in celebrating the city's eclectic art scene. More traditional... Read More »
Asheville Restaurants Serve Up Fare From All Corners of the Globe
An evening of dining at Tupelo Honey Café might start with an appetizer of honey chipotle wings with blue cheese dressing, followed by a seared salmon fillet for dinner. Or, you could try the eatery’s famous sweet potato pancakes and homemade hot chocolate.
Meanwhile, a visit to Mamacitas could include a meal of raging fajita burritos or a plate of Baja-style fish tacos with sautéed vegetables.
Or, you could dig into some butternut squash soup before enjoying seared ahi tuna or roasted quail... Read More »
Asheville's Festival of Flowers
Witness spring in full bloom at the Biltmore's annual Festival of Flowers. The festival spans 13 days each summer and showcases the best of what the Biltmore has to offer, from its sprawling gardens to the newly opened Antler Hill Village, where visitors can shop, dine or tour the winery. Activities around the house and garden include classical music performances, an “Ask a Gardner” presentation and daily seminars at A Gardener's Place. Guests are also invited to visit... Read More »
Asheville's Rivers and Streams Provide Abundance of Water Recreation
Whether you prefer a gentle glide down a peaceful stream or riding the rapids of a lively river, there’s fun to be had on the water in Western North Carolina and the surrounding area.
Expert outfitters have the gear and the knowledge to equip those of all skill levels for kayaking, rafting, tubing, canoeing and more. For nearly 40 years, the Nantahala Outdoor Center has been a pacesetter in the world of whitewater rafting. Located in North Carolina near the Great Smoky Mountains National... Read More »
Asheville Area Farmers and Tailgate Markets
Asheville City Market
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 18 – Dec. 19
161 S. Charlotte St.
French Broad Food Co-op Saturday Tailgate Market
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 12 – Oct. 25
90 Biltmore Ave.
North Asheville Tailgate Market
Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon
April 18 – Dec. 20
1 University Heights (near UNCA’s Owen Hall)
Riceville Tailgate Market
Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon
May 23 – Sept. 19
2251 Riceville Road
Wednesday Afternoon Downtown Tailgate Market
Wednesday, 2 – 6:30 p.m.
April 29 – Dec.... Read More »
Chimney Rock Park Is a Popular Attraction for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? Climb the towering 315-foot monolith known as Chimney Rock, the anchor of Chimney Rock State Park.
“The park encompasses everything you want in a mountain vacation in one place – hiking, rock climbing, picnicking, great views, waterfalls,” says Meghan Rogers, public relations and events manager at Chimney Rock State Park. “You name it, you can do it here.”
Chimney Rock first opened as a tourist attraction in 1902, when the Lucius B. Morse family... Read More »
Street Performers Add a Vibrancy to Downtown Asheville
There is something always happening in downtown Asheville – including street performers.
Artists and street musicians blend with tourists and locals on a regular basis to bring an interesting vibe to the city’s streets. One of the main intersections to see all of the action is at Biltmore and Patton Avenue, in the vicinity of the Zebulon Vance Monument.
And you never know what you might see – could be a juggler, fiddler or stilt walker. Read More »
Asheville's Expansive Musical Menu has Something for Everyone
Asheville‚ with its busy local nightclub scene‚ could be mistaken for Music City.
The expanding musical menu not only embraces traditional bluegrass‚ but also jazz‚ Celtic melodies‚ Indie rock and international ryhthms.
At Jack of the Wood‚ a cozy Celtic pub downtown‚ locals and visitors gather around the black walnut bar or at long tavern tables to sip pints of ale and listen to local musicians play Irish reels. Although the Celtic influence is strong here‚ listeners can hear music from a... Read More »
Ashevillians Find Cycling to Suit Every Skill Level
Two wheels are better than four.
That's the motto in Asheville‚ a town where bartenders commute by bike‚ lawyers strap mountain bikes to their BMWs‚ and the person bagging your groceries might be a nationally ranked cyclist. Many competitive bikers call Asheville home‚ and an even greater number of amateur cyclists enjoy the city's dedication to two-wheel culture.
And that's just in town. Head to the outskirts and you'll find avid cyclists cruising country roads and mountain bikers tackling... Read More »
Asheville is a Family-Friendly City, With Plenty for Kids To Do
Sure‚ Asheville has plenty of activities to keep grown-ups busy – from lounging in a spa to rappelling down a rock face. But it’s also brimming with great places for kids to play.
A 60-foot natural water slide in Pisgah National Forest‚ a children’s science museum‚ native animal exhibits‚ nature hikes‚ guided rock climbing‚ a fun center with laser tag‚ batting cages and bumper cars – you’ll find a diverse range of fun stuff around here to keep the whole family entertained.
Tour a 19th-century... Read More »
Asheville Provides a Great Place To Launch a Day Trip
With so much to see and do in Asheville, you may wonder why you’d ever want to leave town. But a short road trip yields any number of unique destinations – with great shopping, entertainment, history and dining.
Nearby Hendersonville, the second-largest downtown in western North Carolina (Asheville is first) can keep you busy for days with historic sites, great outdoor vistas and fun things to do. Its historic downtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
“I think our... Read More »
Local Restaurateurs Rely on Homegrown Ingredients
From tomatoes to potatoes and corn to country ham, Asheville’s farmers and culinary artisans produce some of the best crops in the country. And when they take their products to local farmers markets and the back doors of independent restaurants in the area, everybody wins.
“Back in 2005 when we opened, chef Bill Klein went to the farmers markets and incorporated his finds into nightly specials,” says Treavis Taylor, who owns fig bistro with his wife, Traci. “He built relationships with the... Read More »
Asheville's Independent Bookstores Promote Lively Literary Scene
A nexus of creativity of all types, Asheville’s environs have inspired literary works that are read the world over. Famous authors past and present have called Asheville home, from O. Henry and Thomas Wolfe to Wilma Dykeman and Gail Godwin. And bookish types find the city a haven of literary riches that include independent bookstores, a thriving library system, book clubs and events such as poetry readings, writers’ workshops and author appearances.
Malaprops Bookstore/Café has been... Read More »
Tourists to Asheville Can Enjoy Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway has been nicknamed America's Favorite Drive, and 20 million annual visitors make it the most visited attraction within the U.S. National Park System.
The 469-mile byway that connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia provides an economic impact of $2.3 billion each year to the communities through which it passes.
One of those communities is Asheville, which is near milepost 377.
“The Blue Ridge... Read More »
Asheville, NC Brings the Heat With Annual ActionFest
ActionFest
New to Asheville, NC in spring 2010 was the inaugural edition of ActionFest, the world’s first film festival for action films and those who make action cinema possible, from filmmakers to stuntmen and fight choreographers. ActionFest, held at at The Carolina Asheville theater, featured about 50 screenings of classic action movies of all periods and included an appearance by karate champion and action superstar Chuck Norris. The event also included a competition section juried... Read More »
Asheville, NC is a Foodtopia
In earthy Asheville, food is so elemental that the locals have coined their own word for the city: Foodtopia. A thriving farm-to-table green scene, a flourishing network of family farms and farmers markets and a growing roster of award-winning chefs combine to create the ideal food climate in Asheville. Year-round local food tours lead visitors to locally roasted coffee, gourmet shops and chocolatiers, artisan bakeries, specialty shops and breweries. Along with its 135 restaurants, 11 annual... Read More »
Shopping in Asheville, NC
Shoppers, grab your walking shoes if you’re heading to Asheville – the city offers a variety of retail opportunities, including boutiques, shopping malls and antique shops, located throughout the city. Read on to learn more about Asheville’s thriving shopping scene.
Downtown
Those in search of trendy duds may discover fabulous finds in downtown Asheville, which is home to several locally owned stores, as well as nationally recognized franchises.
Minx Boutique offers a... Read More »
Asheville Offers Staycation Attractions
Asheville provides year-round adventure to keep its residents active. When the weather's warm, thrill-seekers head to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a whitewater adventure. Or, they try their hand at ClimbMax Climbing Center, which offers both indoor and outdoor rock climbing. Looking for something a little less extreme? You're in luck; Asheville offers an abundance of hiking trails at all levels of difficulty. When the cold sets in, locals keep warm by taking a spin at the... Read More »
Quality of Life in Asheville Garners National Accolades
For a small city‚ Asheville sure has made a big name for itself.
One of America's Top 15 Dream Towns. A Top 10 Great Adventure Town. One of the 20 Best Places to Retire in the World. One of the Most Secure U.S. Places to Live. Or our personal favorite: America's Happiest City for Women. (Men's Journal quickly followed that up with its own high rating.)
Individually‚ the honors are impressive‚ but when you string them all together‚ the result is almost overwhelmingly conclusive. Perhaps MSN and... Read More »
Golfers Can Drive Away the Hours at a Variety of Courses in and Around Asheville
Driving through the mountains of North Carolina is a popular activity, but it is not reserved to only the roads. It also extends to the numerous golf courses scattered throughout the region, where avid golfers can tee it up and drive golf balls nearly year-round.
Asheville sits in the midst of the Smoky Mountains, and there are more than 40 golf courses in the region. The weather is ideal for the sport much of the year. The cool mountain air is a pleasant contrast to the humid summer conditions... Read More »
