Whether you’re a lifelong Ashevillian longing to embrace your inner tourist or you have a limited amount of time in the Land of the Sky, here are 25+ tours guaranteed to show you the sights you want to see.
Note: Price estimates are based on individual adult rates available at the time of publishing. Check each company’s website to see current pricing.
Top Tours
Asheville Free Walking Tours | $0-$15 | Explore downtown or the RAD, take a bite of the local food scene on the Taste of West Asheville tour, or dig into tunes of the past on the Music History tour — many of the tours are tip-based, so you can make a contribution after your excursion.
Asheville Detours | $70-$80 | Don’t just see the city — search for it. These scavenger hunt experiences can introduce you to off-the-beaten-path places, keep you fed and watered, or offer some family-friendly fun.
Biltmore Estate | $110-$410 | The striking historic home is ready for you to explore with an audio guide.
Citizen Vinyl | Free | Every Wednesday through Saturday at noon and 1 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., you can learn more about the record-pressing facility and immerse yourself in the history of the Citizen-Times building.
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville | $30-$37 | Embark on the hop-on, hop-off tour to travel through a variety of neighborhoods and make stops to shop, browse art galleries, and indulge in the culinary scene — or opt for the ghost or Christmas tours for a themed journey.
Hood Huggers International Tours | $30-$55 | Dive into the past, learn about the present, and explore the future of the African-American community in Asheville on one of the walking or driving tours.
La Zoom Tours | $27-$49 | You’ll laugh and learn on these comedy tours aboard the purple bus — plus, locals can get 20% off midweek tours with proof of Buncombe County residence.
Mountaineer Motor Tours | $250-$300 | Hop inside a 1923 Ford Model T for a ride around downtown and Grove Park, or a route through Riverside Cemetery, Historic Montford Neighborhood, and downtown Asheville.
Thomas Wolfe Memorial | $5 | Tours of the author’s childhood home are available Tuesday-Saturday, departing on the half hour.
Eat and drink
Asheville Brews Cruise | $80-$85 | Even if you’ve lived here for years, it can be hard to keep up with all the new beers in town — so let the experts update you on the local scene with a brewery or distillery tour.
Asheville Food Tours | $85 | Choose from four different tour experiences to get a taste of some of the best bites our culinary scene has to offer.
Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours | $89 | Enjoy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains while sipping on seasonal cocktails or mocktails at three rooftops — plus, you’ll learn plenty of history about each location along the way.
Eating Asheville Tours | $79-$89 | Explore our city on foot while making stops at restaurants, bakeries, and bars, both new and old.
BREW-ed Brewery Tours | $65 | Learn about the science of craft beer, from the ingredients all the way to the finished product (which you’ll get to sample plenty of).
French Broad Chocolate | $8-$12 | Channel your inner Willy Wonka as you explore the French Broad Chocolate factory, learn about the company’s history + cacao farming, and sink your teeth into a chocolate tasting.
Make new friends over good food with Asheville Food Tours.
Photo by Stu Helm
Art is all around
Art Connections Art Tours | $85-$165 | Let Sherry Masters design a custom tour to accommodate your creative interest.
Asheville Art Experience | $55 | Dive into the rich and energetic spirit of the River Arts District, walking through artist studios and appreciating works of various mediums.
Asheville Art Museum Public Tours | Free with general admission | The Museum frequently offers docent-guided tours through special exhibitions and the Museum’s Collections — check the calendar to stay up to date with opportunities.
Mountain Mural Tours | $25-$40 | Hop on the bus or lace up your walking shoes to explore the murals, graffiti, and sculptures that make Asheville’s urban art scene so unique.
Get outdoors
Asheville Drifters | $250-$500 | If you’re looking to reel in a trout or smallmouth bass, expert guides will help you out, offering a variety of float fishing trips and wade fishing trips.
Asheville Hiking Tours | $99 | Reserve a spot on the Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway tour to discover breathtaking scenery during the easy-to-moderate 2.5-mile journey.
Asheville Jeep Tours | $75-$99 | Let your guide take the wheel and show you the region’s biodiversity from paved or gravel roads.
Hike Bike Kayak | $65+ | An expert guide will show you the beauty of our area as you traverse a trail, wander among the waterfalls, or float the French Broad. Bonus: You can also rent a bike to explore on your own.
No Taste Like Home | $42-$77 | Embark on the expert-led foraging tour to find wild foods like mushrooms, berries, and edible plants, followed by a cooking demo and tasting.
WNC Photo Tours | Prices vary with group size | Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned photographer, J Smilanic and Matt Williams will teach you the best practices to capture gorgeous landscape photography.
Wai Mauna SUP Tours | $50-$99 | Check out the River Arts District or Biltmore Estate from a semi-aquatic perspective as you float along on a stand-up paddleboard.
Zen Tubing | $25-$30 | If you’d rather relax on your aqueous adventures, let the current push you along past the River Arts District or around South Asheville.
All in on history
Asheville Architecture Trail | Free | Study up on the buildings of the 1920s by following the interactive map to 14 locations.
Asheville By Foot Walking Tours | $30 | Get your steps in while your guide chronicles the abundant history behind local landmarks on “The Asheville Insider Walking Tour.”
Asheville Terrors | $16-$35 | Get an up-close look at the city’s twisted tales and haunted histories, then take it a lively step further with a haunted pub crawl.
Asheville Urban Trail | Free | Use the interactive map to absorb the stories of our city’s iconic figures, events, and locations — read the plaques at each stop and listen along to the audio tour.
Haunted Asheville | $15-$27 | Things are about to get spooky — take the classic walking tour to learn about local legends and history, or step outside the exploration bounds with dark stories on the Supernatural Tour.
