Welcome to Asheville, NC

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Welcome to Asheville — the The Land of the Sky or the Paris of the South. Ali and Brook here, the editors of AVLtoday, and we’re so excited to show you around. Before we get started on the tour, here are a few AVL facts:

○ Asheville used to be called Morristown before its incorporation. The name was changed to Asheville to honor N.C. governor Samuel Ashe. He was our state’s ninth governor and served from 1795-1798.

○ Our city is adjacent to eight national + state parks, 200+ waterfalls, and four rivers (the French Broad, Green, Swannanoa + Catawba), which means our hiking scene is unmatched. Read our guide to hiking in WNC here.

○ The fauna of Mount Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Mississippi) are among the most distinctive + diverse in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Keep your eyes peeled and you might see some of the following animals: peregrine falcons, northern flying squirrels, white-tailed deer, bobcats, grey foxes, black bears, striped skunks, or some 91 unique species of birds.

All right, let’s have a look around.

Asheville Art Museum

Visit now: Many of the museum’s collections + exhibitions are available online. They also offer artist interviews, the history of Pack Square + footage from their reopening party on their YouTube channel. Kids can play I Spy with artwork from their collection. Downloadable coloring sheets + note cards are also available for kids + adults.

Check out our guide for more ideas on how to experience Asheville’s art scene virtually at the Museum and other spaces around town.

Visit later: When the museum reopens, they will offer tours as well as new exhibits every month. Be sure to grab a bite in the rooftop cafe and sculpture garden to soak up the sun + the views.

Appalachian Trail

Photo by @wncphototours

Visit now: Backpacker.com recently created a 3-D interactive map of the Appalachian Trail that includes images of the trail + surrounding forest, towns, and parks + hikers’ favorite spots. There are also photos and info galleries on notable stops like Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Visit later: Enjoy the longest hiker-only trail in the world. DYK: The trail runs right through the town of Hot Springs. We recommend stopping by Iron Horse Station for a bite after all that hiking. It’s also a historic inn if you want to stay the night and soak in the hot springs (read all about their history here).

Biltmore

Visit now: The grounds may be closed, but you can take a virtual tour of the house + see pictures of the spectacular gardens. We recommend pairing your tour with a glass of Biltmore wine or another product straight from the Estate. still order products from the estate. Through May 11, wines are 25% off (and they’re also offering free shipping).

Visit later: Bookmark our guide to visiting Biltmore, and be sure to check out the winery, estate, farm + more when the grounds reopen. The excellent Downton Abbey exhibit has been extended to September. Protip: Their annual pass is currently $100 off (through May 31) and will be honored for an additional three months.

NC Arboretum

Visit now: Even though the gates are closed, the Arboretum is still offering virtual tours as a part of their What’s Beautiful Series. They also offer free online educational opportunities for both kids + adults.

Visit later: Walk through the luscious gardens and explore exhibits indoors. The Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks exhibit will feature intricate Lego art sculptures in the gardens – it’s been rescheduled for November. You can also look forward to their annual Bonsai exhibitions and Winter Lights, a holiday favorite. Check out their other programming, including guided tours + hikes, here.

Eatin’ in AVL

When it’s safe to visit, you’ll have plenty of delectable food options.

Ali’s personal favorites include AUX Bar (she can’t wait to sit on that patio with an Animal House burger + cocktail again), the House Special Ramen from Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas, a simple, glorious slice of NYC-style cheese pizza from Manicomio, and anything on the menu at Zambra. She also wouldn’t ever say no to a doughnut from Vortex, Hole, or DoughP Doughnuts.

Brook’s personal favorites include the OG veggie restaurant Laughing Seed, down home farm to table fare from Sunny Point Cafe, veggie sushi from Heiwa Shokudo, and Mexican-Caribbean eatery extraordinaire Salsa’s — home of the VegHead burrito (which, with tofu, sweet potato, avocado, + roasted veggies, Brook believes is the best burrito in town). She also can’t wait for Broth Lab to re-open its doors so she can slurp up some ramen.

We’ve also got plenty of articles to help you navigate the local food scene.

○ Ramen shops have become a staple in Asheville, so check out our guide on where to find the best noodles in town.

○ Here are some unique food experiences you’ll only find in a place like Asheville.

○ Check out our guide for all your vegan + vegetarian needs.

○ And if you’re gluten-free, we’ve got you covered there too. Check out our gluten-free restaurants.

○ If you come to town and get the urge to cook, you may want to check out these cookbooks from local authors.

That brings us to the end of the tour. You didn’t think we could show you all of Asheville, did ya? Some things you just have to experience in person, like touring South Slope breweries or hiking to Black Balsam Knob for the views.

Start planning your trip with this itinerary for 48 hours in Asheville. You can also check out our guides for West Asheville + South Asheville to discover even more places. And if you wanna explore the area around Asheville, be sure to read our Black Mountain + Hendersonville guides while you’re at it. We can’t wait to see you. 👋