Asheville

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Man standing on top of the mountain relaxing and enjoying beautiful summer mountain landscape. A panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains from the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Near Asheville.; Shutterstock ID 1907256715; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: destination
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Overview

The undisputed ‘capital’ of the North Carolina mountains, Asheville is both a major tourist destination and one of the coolest small cities in the South. Cradled in a sweeping curve of the Blue Ridge Pkwy, it offers easy access to outdoor adventures of all kinds, while downtown's historic art-deco buildings hold stylish New Southern restaurants, decadent chocolate shops, and the homegrown microbreweries that explain the nickname 'Beer City.'

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Biltmore Estate

Asheville

Charmed by Asheville's natural beauty, shipping and railroad heir George Washington Vanderbilt II decided to build a summer home modeled after three…
Asheville Art Museum

Asheville

The glass-fronted West Wing is a showstopping introduction to this downtown museum, which is looking sleek after a $24 million renovation that added 70%…
Folk Art Center

Asheville

Part gallery, part store, and wholly dedicated to Southern craftsmanship, the superb Folk Art Center stands directly off the Blue Ridge Pkwy, 6 miles east…
Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Asheville

An incongruous survivor of old Asheville, this downtown clapboard structure was the childhood home of Look Homeward, Angel author Thomas Wolfe (1900–38)…
Asheville Pinball Museum

Asheville

A veritable time machine, this downtown treat transports gamers back to the much-lamented pinball arcades of yesteryear. With stock ranging from vintage…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Time to Visit

This month-by-month guide to what's happening in Asheville, perched high up in the Appalachian mountains, can help you plan your trip.

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Transportation

With a population just under 100,000, Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina. The city is tucked within the Blue Ridge Mountains and flanked…

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Free Things to Do

The collegial spirit of Asheville is maintained in part by the many free activities offered across town, from public art and live concerts to trail-filled…

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Best Neighborhoods

Asheville is the epicenter of urban fun in Western North Carolina. Here are the five neighborhoods you can't miss.

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Day Trips

Wondering where to spend a day exploring from your home base Asheville? These are our 18 favorites.

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