5 Best Tours in Asheville if you don't Drink Coffee
Hood Huggers Tours
Hood Tours are an intimate, interactive tour focusing on that resilient history and future in the arts, environmentalism, and entrepreneurship. Learn about their powerful story on their walking and driving Tours, visiting neighbourhoods with active green spaces, art, and grassroots initiatives. This tour sparks grassroots economic development in Asheville’s historically African American neighbourhoods and generates economic support for African American-owned businesses, while building on strengths intrinsic to the community that allow for self-determination and sustainability. Discover the vibrant past, present-day power, and future plans of the story-rich African American neighbourhoods of Asheville–an experience guaranteed to leave you looking at this mountain town with new eyes. The tour van can accommodate up to 9 people at a time, or you can take a Walking Tour, exploring specific neighbourhoods in Asheville. Tours can be scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 10am, 1pm, & 3pm or private tours for an additional cost with each tour lasting between 1.5 and two hours. Visit hoodhuggers.com to book your Hood Tour today!
Asheville Urban Art Photos
In a casual two-hour amble about town, a person interested in exploring the city's quirky and magical past, along with getting to know many of its larger-than-life historical characters, can follow a string of 30 sculptural trail stations directly into Asheville lore. On the Urban Trail, every station calls to mind a historical moment and, for the most part, the achievements of remarkable individuals connected to our small city. Figuratively speaking, you will stumble headlong into George Vanderbilt, E.W. Grove, Thomas Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Douglas Ellington, and a short story writer calling himself O. Henry ~ just to name a few. A good place to start is in front of Pack Place on Asheville's Pack Square where you can step up to Plaque #1, called "Walk Into History." But any starting point is fine. And you're not breaking any mountain laws if you veer off into a tavern, restaurant, store or conversation ~ or pause to hear the riffs of a street busker at full busk. The trail is urban, and so are the many bracing delights of the city. Take your time and follow the nose of your curiosity. You can click through to descriptions of each of the trail's thirty stations on this site (beginning with Station #1, here), and/or view an interactive map of all locations. A printable map of the Urban Trail is also available. Check out the Urban Trail video or listen to an audio tour of each station. Teachers and students should download the scavenger hunt and teacher's guide or visit the teacher resources page to learn more about the history of Asheville. Visit www.ashevilleurbanartphototours.com/
Asheville Hiking Tours
This tour offers various tours depending on the time of year. Currently they offer a Waterfall and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour. This intimate tour is a great way to see the BEST waterfalls and panoramic mountain views, in only a half day! Your guide shows you a mix of the biggest waterfalls and also “off the beaten path” waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest. Home to 250+ waterfalls, this unique area is a must-see during your Asheville vacation. You will begin your morning with the aroma of fresh coffee at Asheville’s Ultra Coffee, where you will meet your guide (and perhaps some friendly locals). Enjoy a cup of coffee or delicious morning snack. Your guide will further learn about your group’s hiking preferences and provide an overview of your adventure to come! The excursion begins as you enter Pisgah National Forest, or the Blue Ridge Parkway, a National Park! You will spend 4 hours exploring our Wilderness, visiting multi-tiered waterfalls, hidden pools, rock overhangs, and more! Your guide will integrate hikes (according to your interests) for a total distance of around 3 miles, walking at a leisurely pace and discussing the edible and medicinal properties of unique trees and wildflowers along the way! For inexperienced hikers, your guide will be sure to provide you with tips for navigating the roots, rocks, and mud that give our Southern Appalachian rainforest its character. Your guide will discuss important scenic features for you to notice on the way, including historic sites as well as seasonal highlights— such as spring wildflowers, Rhododendrons in bloom, autumn leaves, or frozen springs. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoy wide-open vistas— with endless views of mountain peaks and fertile valleys (including ones you visit!). Since the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed with inclement weather often in winter months (usually late-Nov to early-March) they may sometimes modify a tour to include alternate scenic sites (and often an additional waterfall!) in Pisgah National Forest.
The Flying Bike Electric Bike Tours
The Flying Bike tours is a great way to see the city and ride electric bikes! Their first stop will be at the amazing Basilica of St. Lawrence, a masterpiece of local architecture built by Rafael Guastavino, whose work is featured in Grand Central Station and the Biltmore Estate. From there you will ride down the quiet streets of the Historic Montford Neighbourhood alongside some of the most beautiful grand old homes in Asheville. Afterwards you will take the peaceful Reed Creek and Glenn’s Creek Greenways past UNC Asheville before starting the climb through North Asheville neighbourhoods up to the historic Grove Park Inn. You will walk through the Inn and get a magnificent view from the Sunset Terrace.
After heading back downtown, you’ll stop in Pack Square, where Asheville was originally founded. Here is a perfect vantage point to learn about Asheville’s history and its abundant art-deco architecture, the second largest collection in the country. Your final stop will be in the heart of the South Slope, where you will share the recent history of Asheville, its challenges, and triumphs. Visit www. flyingbiketours.com
Haunted Ghost Tours
The Haunted Ghost Tour is one of the oldest and original tours. See Asheville's haunts up close and personal for approx. 2 hours at night. Their guides will lead you safely through the streets of downtown Asheville, providing storytelling thrills and chills, on this family-friendly experience. It's our business to send you home with great memories of Asheville and stories for a lifetime. Asheville is a haunted city and these mountains are the oldest in the country and bear the residues of Native American spiritualism, the bloody Civil War, and some of history’s most dynamic personalities. Psychics are drawn here from around the globe, mysterious “vortex” energy is reported, and paranormal investigation thrives. Travel the streets as they send a chill down your spine. Visit their website at www.hauntedasheville.com