Asheville
Recommended Tours

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Everyone loves to check out a tour of some kind when they are on vacation. Whether it is historical, geological, aquatic, nature or anything else, tours can offer a wonderful look into slices of life or give one a different perspective into other lives and times. Asheville certainly has its share of spectacular tours to amaze and wow the whole family.

Biltmore Estate

Probably the most popular tour is the Biltmore Estate. This grand castle-like home on over 8,000 acres welcomes 850,000 guests each year. People come back many times to take in all the beauty and splendor of the house, gardens and the winery. The gardens are home to 80 or more varieties of roses and 50,000 tulips. There are gift shops, Deerpark Restaurant, Stable Cafe at Biltmore and the Bistro for dining. The Inn on the Biltmore Estate is brand new, and spectacular. Costing $31 million, they specialize in luxury, elegance and the pampering of guests. There are several tours that you can take at the estate—the Butler’s Tour, the Technologies Tour, the Rooftop Tour and the Overview Tour—all are highly recommended. The Annual Festival of Flowers is a colossal abundance of blossoms that should not be missed in the spring. In addition, unguided tours of The Farmer’s Market or Biltmore Village are nice ways to spend an afternoon. The Farmer’s Market is a bevy of local produce, crafts and baked goods. The Biltmore Village is a quaint area outside the Biltmore Estate that is home to over 100 individual shops of all types. More than 50% of these businesses are handicapped accessible.

Linville Cavern

Linville Cavern offers a great look into geological wonders of caves and underground springs. Set your eyes on some of the stalagmites and stalactites of this cavern and you will be fascinated. Trout that ventured in, but were unable to find their way out are now blind from the lack of sunlight, or light of any kind. Hold on tight to someone’s hand when they shut off all the lights in the cavern while you are on tour; you will experience pitch-black darkness like you have never known surrounds you.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Looking for a taste of history? Thomas Wolfe Memorial gives you insight into the famous North Carolinian author’s childhood and life. Though the house, which was Thomas Wolfe’s boyhood home, was damaged by arson in 1998, workers are currently renovating it back to its original state. The visitor’s center is open. Another author’s home is open for tour as well—Connemara, the home of Carl Sandburg. Famous for his poetry and biographies, his 263-acre home is open for guided tours. Come see this lovely old farmhouse and the award-winning goats his wife raised on the grounds. Smith-McDowell House Museum is an old Victorian home built around 1840. Considered the oldest brick residence of Asheville, this home is worth a visit.

Park Place

Pack Place in the heart of Asheville is a one-stop complex that house three great museums worth checking out. The first, The Asheville Art Museum holds various changing exhibits throughout the year and can be a nice way for the art enthusiast to spend an afternoon. The Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum gives you an inside look at the mining of gems and the treasures that can be found in the ground. Adults and children alike will be able to take a gander at gems and minerals from all over the world. The Health Adventure is one that kids will truly enjoy. Kids love coming to this museum full of educational and fun programs. Throughout the year, kids of all ages can cure the doldrums, spark their imaginations and invoke their sense of curiosity. They will also enjoy the guided hikes at the Cradle of Forestry. This fun packed day in Mother Nature’s back yard is filled with scavenger hunts and nature games. Located in the Pisgah National Forest, the Cradle of Forestry is a beautiful, fresh-air environment for kids to be kids.

The Western North Carolina Nature Center

There are several other unguided tours worth taking as well. The Western North Carolina Nature Center is home to several native creatures in their natural habitat. Stroll through and observe the animals and their homes. There is also a petting area with goats and other friendly creatures. Riverside Cemetery is the resting place for Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry. The Southern Highland Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 382 is a stop you will want to make while cruising your unguided tour of the parkway. This center has craft demonstrations and craft exhibits, and also features museum art/craft galleries.

You do not have to wander far in the city or from the city of Asheville to enjoy a wonderful tour. It does not matter what your interests are, this town caters to many with its diverse history and culture. Always growing and evolving, yet holding tight to its mountain roots, Asheville will long be a place for visitors to build memories.

Haunted Asheville

Asheville Ghost Tours ( +1 888 667 3600/ http://www.ashevilletrolleytours.com/indexlarge.html )

Historic Trolley Tours

Asheville Historic Trolley Tours ( +1 888 667 3600/ http://www.ashevilletrolleytours.com/indexlarge.html )

Tour Downtown

Asheville Tours ( +1 800 713 7421/ http://www.ashevilletours.net/tours/tourType.cfm?ttid2=2351 )

Bus Tours

Greyhound and Trailways ( +1 828 253 5353/ http://www.exploreasheville.com/local-info/getting-around/index.aspx )