200 artist studios, on the French Broad River. You choose your transport from among canoes, SUPs, kayaks and tandem kayaks. [frenchbroadoutfitters.com] Food and culture walking tours through eclectic neighborhoods are 3-hour excursions for the gourmand and culinary crowd. The lunch tour includes half a dozen tastings at least from classic Southern dishes to cutting-edge modern cuisine and tasty morsels in between. Beyond that you’ll learn about chocolate making, botanical medicine and using herbs along the way. [moveablefeastsfoodtours.com] LaZoom offers unique comedy and haunted comedy tours among others. “Historical and hysterical, our City Tours feature outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits, loads of Asheville information and incredible views of downtown. You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!” [quote from lazoomtours.com] Segway tours of downtown run up to 2 1/2 hours and leave three times a day from the visitor center. You get up to half an hour of training and see the city from the comfort of your own two wheels on this unique, self-balancing, personal transportation device. [movingsidewalktours.com] Asheville by Foot Tours allow you to see and experience Asheville downtown, the Montford Historic District or Biltmore Village Historic District with an experienced tour guide. “Whether you’re visiting Asheville for the first time or the 10th, you’ll develop a deep appreciation for Asheville’s rich history, stunning architecture and unique culture.” [quote from ashevillebyfoottours. com] For the light outdoor adventurer who doesn’t feel like listening to the GPS personality, book a Tumblestone tour of waterfalls. You’ll visit three wonderful, nearby waterfalls, ride in comfort, walk perhaps three miles over the course of the 5-hour tour and experience the kind of gorgeous photo ops that only waterfalls can deliver. [tumblestonetours.com] Ghost Walking Tour is a hauntingly eerie adventure that ends at the Asheville Mystery Museum. [hauntedasheville.com] Star Watch Night Vision Tours provide the ultimate night vision experience away from the city lights with Alpha Generation 3 military-issue night vision goggles. Combine that with transportation, comfy camping chairs and snuggly blankets, and this is an Asheville treat not be missed. [starwatchtours.com]
Other Asheville places to visit ...
Grovewood Village (including antique car museum) New Morning Gallery (est. 1973, largest single craft gallery in the U.S., bridal registry) North Carolina Arboretum (434 acres, 65 acres of gardens and 10+ miles hiking trails) Enter the Conundrum (escape room that defies the ordinary and aims to astonish) Lexington Glassworks (hand blown glass, gift shop, taproom - drink local beer in handblown glass glasses) Thomas Wolfe Memorial (author of “Look Homeward Angel” and others) Asheville Pinball Museum (pay entrance fee and play on 75+ pinball machines without coins or tokens)
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