Asheville was named the #1 “US Destination You Need to See in 2017” by Lonely Planet. Eclectic, innovative, welcoming, fun and quirky are words often used to describe this wonderful city of 83,000 situated in beautiful Western North Carolina. Locals have long known about the beautiful Art Deco and Arts and Crafts movement architecture, great shopping, historic attractions, wonderful climate, excellent healthcare facilities and a plethora of outdoor activities. Now throw in a wonderful little airport and exploding dining, music and arts scenes…..and Asheville now has all the necessary ingredients to be considered a truly international destination. And Asheville is FUN! We have more breweries per capital than any other US city. You don’t get named “Beer City USA” or “Happiest City in America” for nothing!
Asheville was incorporated in 1797, but the area’s history dates back centuries. In fact, Native American pictographs at Paint Rock in nearby Hot Springs, NC date back 5000 years. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto visited the area in 1540. George W. Vanderbilt II chose Asheville to build the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private residence, between 1889-1895. And the world famous Grove Park Inn has been visited by ten US Presidents, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Hellen Keller, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John D. Rockefeller, and Harry Houdini, among many others.
And you will love the location. The beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway runs directly through town, providing access to points north and south. We are located only 2 hours to Charlotte, just over 3 hours to Atlanta, and 4 hours to both Nashville, TN and Charleston, SC. Easy day trips in the area include Hendersonville, Brevard, Chimney Rock State Park, Highlands/Cashiers, DuPont State Forest, Pisgah National Park, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell (the highest point in the Eastern US). We have world class whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking in the immediate area and there are ski slopes within an hour of town.
Click on the link below to see TITLES and ACCOLADES Asheville has earned…..
http://www.exploreasheville.com/press-room/ranked-rated/
