For first-time visitors, or for seasoned travelers looking to dive a bit deeper, city tours can be a great way to get to know Asheville. And like everything else, many of Asheville's city tours are just a little bit different. Check out these tours that are just perfect for enjoying warm spring weather and becoming acquainted with "Paris of the South," "Land of the Sky" or "Beer City USA."
1. Gray Line Historic Trolley Tours of Asheville: Hop aboard a shiny red trolley and discover our city's historic neighborhoods. Knowledgeable guides offer interesting historic tidbits. You can see more of the city without your car. The 90-minute Overview Tour is fully narrated, showcasing Asheville’s rich history throughout the 15-mile route that features Montford, Omni Grove Park Inn, Downtown Asheville, River Arts District and Biltmore Village.
2.LaZoom Comedy Tours: If you prefer your history with a side of side-splitting laughter, this vaudevillian tour is for you. Grab a cold beer, board the big purple bus, and enjoy some of Asheville's tall tales from the likes of characters Augusta Wind and Sister Bad Habit. Experience includes comedy tours, ghost tours, and a band & beer tour. Most of the tours are from those 18 and older.
3.Moving Sidewalk Segway Tours: Ditch the bus or car, and make your own moves around town with a segway tour. With your own set of wheels and personalized training time, you'll be amazed at how much of the city you can see during the 2.5-hour tour.
4.Biltmore Village Tours by History @ Hand: Explore Biltmore Village, the area that served as the home for those who built and staffed Biltmore Estate. This 90-minute walking tour includes the town's original church, the iconic All Souls Cathedral, local galleries and more. History-at-Hand also gives tours of downtown Asheville and the Montford Historic District.
5.Hood Huggers Tours: Learn the powerful story of the resiliency of Asheville's Black community. Artist and poet DeWayne Barton is the guide for this interactive exploration of historically Black neighborhoods. He provides insight on the past, present, and future.
6. WNC Cheese Trail: Between the baby goats and the fresh spring air, this is a great season to do the self-guided cheese trail, which directs visitors to farms and creameries in Western N.C. Feeling hungry? Check out Eating Asheville tours to taste the local flavor in area restaurants.
7. Asheville Urban Trail: Take a casual, self-guided stroll through downtown Asheville, exploring the city's magical past. You'll follow a string of 30 stations that highlight Asheville's history.
8. Star Watch Night Vision Tours: Looking for more to see after dark? This stargazing tour provides participants with military-grade night vision goggles, bringing to light thousands of constellations, shooting stars and satellites unseen by the naked eye. The tours take place on moonless nights when the skies are darker and better seen. Make a reservation for groups of any size!
9. Black Cultural Heritage Trail: The Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail self-guided tour leads visitors through three areas of Asheville: Downtown, Southside, and the River Area. The trail honors and preserves the rich heritage of Asheville's Black community. Sites and stories range from well-known landmarks visible in the community today to the unsung heroes and underrecognized achievements and contributions by the Black community in the past.
Bonus Tour - Mountain Mural Tours: Join Mountain Mural Tours for an artistic experience through Asheville's colorful and vibrant neighborhoods. Explore local murals, graffiti and street art throughout the River Arts District, downtown and West Asheville.
