Best Ways To Learn About The History Of Asheville
May 31, 2019
Asheville is a vibrant city with so much to offer including a rich history. In the short time we have called Asheville home, we have learned a lot about the history of the area from some of the wonderful tour guides we’ve met.
Here are our favorite ways to get a historic perspective and hear interesting stories about Asheville’s past:
- The historic trolley is a great way to learn more about Asheville. You can choose to stay on the trolley for about an hour and a half for just a history lesson. Or you can take the hop on/hop off option to explore many of the most popular attractions. You still get a little dose of history each time you get back on the trolley. We have the pleasure of seeing the trolley stop past The Lion and the Rose every half hour. We are very honored that they give a little background about our beautiful B&B. What we like best : the hop on/hop off is an easy way to see Asheville’s most popular attractions in a day
- Tukit is one of Asheville’s newest tours but it’s another great way to learn about Asheville in a couple hours. The city tour offers interesting history and stories with a finale of indulgent chocolate treats at The Chocolate Fetish. The electric tuk is not only a distinctive and eye catching way to learn about Asheville, it conveniently picks you up right at our B&B. What we like best : The tuk takes up to 6 people so it’s a more personalized experience and the tour ends with chocolate!
- Want a bird’s eye view of Asheville? We recommend Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours for a unique perspective. You visit three rooftop bars and have a choice of drinks to enjoy while taking in the beautiful views of the city and mountains. Your friendly and knowledgeable guide, Kaye, will also show you old city photos while sharing history of your surroundings. What we like best : It’s a great way to meet other fun folks and watch a beautiful sunset.
- A walking and eating tour of downtown. You visit anywhere from five to seven restaurants with different food and drink pairings. The walk tends to be about a mile or less so easy for most people to handle. Although there is not as much history in this tour, we still felt it was a fun way to learn about town while indulging in delicious food stops. It also gives you a chance to walk off some of the sweeter treats you discover on these tours. What we like best : Not having to decide which one restaurant to visit for lunch when you can experience several great restaurants in an afternoon.
- Want a little bit of history with some comedy thrown in? Then Lazoom’s City Comedy Tour is the right fit for you. The iconic purple bus is one of the most popular tours in Asheville with both visitors and locals. What we like best : The combination of learning some history while having some good laughs.
- Follow the Urban Trail or Architecture Trail. Both are casual do-it-yourself strolls around town. You will find sculptural trail stations that give background and a look into historical moments and achievements of renowned individuals. Soak in Asheville’s small town charm. Admire its collection of Art Deco style buildings that is second only to Miami’s Art Deco District. What we like best : The do-it-yourself trails allow you to spend as little or as much time walking around town as you feel like.
Biltmore Estate There is never a bad time to visit the iconic Biltmore Estate but winter brings a yuletide oasis. Now through January 4, 2026, you can experience the beauty of thousands of lights, over 100 Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths, and sparkling garland. The winter season of January through March also brings lower prices and less crowds. Explore Beer City USA The local craft brewing scene has exploded and Asheville has been voted Beer City USA four years in a row, Asheville takes extreme pride in being home to over 20 local craft brewers. Whether you take a Brews cruise or a DIY tour on the Asheville Ale Trail, a brewery hopping exploration is the perfect way to keep warm and enjoy a cold, winter weekend. Foodie Experiences Find out why Asheville ranks first in the South Atlantic region in the RewardExpert’s Best American Foodie Towns . With hundreds of restaurants and farm fresh eateries, you will not be disappointed by the choices of restaurants. Take a guided eating tour with a professional foodie to sample and taste some of Asheville’s best restaurants. Asheville Restaurant Weeks (January 20-26, 2026 and February 17-23, 2026) Try some new restaurants or revisit favorites. Get the lowest prices of the year, with a prix fix menu at $15-$35/person. With dozens of choices, there’s something for all appetites! Asheville has been touted by many as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in America. Hiking Less crowds means quieter hikes. It is a great time to hit the trails! Discover peace and solitude with expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a cool, clear day. Dupont State Forest offers several hikes from easy to difficult. It is famous for being one of “The Hunger Games” film locations. Chimney Rock offers breathtaking views of the gorge after climbing up the chimney. Pisgah National Forest offers the opportunity of seeing a frozen waterfall at Daniel Ridge Falls. Sharpen your photography skills Choose a half-day or full-day photo tours with our friends, Chris & Bonnie at Asheville Photo Tours. Explore some of the most photogenic but lesser-known locations in the Blue Ridge and Asheville areas. Take an art class Tap into your creative side with some of the talented, local artists. Day and weekend workshops include oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, inks, bookbinding, and pottery. Live music Asheville has been called “One of America’s Greatest Music Cities”. There is a vibrant music scene with live music of all genres from bluegrass to rock. Experience some of the very best in live music and find out why The Orange Peel has been called the country’s premiere Live Music Hall and Concert Venue. The Orange Peel offers state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment rarely found in a club of its size. Other fun venues include The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall. Pamper yourself There is nothing quite like a luxurious foot soak in a hand-hammered copper bowl. Enjoy a fragrant, rejuvenating, and moisturizing sole to soul experience at Wake Foot Sanctuary. A signature massage can be added on for an extra splurge. Indulge in a romantic getaway Snuggle up with your loved one next to one of our cozy fireplaces with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine at The Lion and the Rose
We are lucky to have great friends that grew up in Asheville. They have told us about some interesting local hauntings and strange experiences. With Halloween around the corner, we thought this was the right time to share some of these ghost stories and legends of paranormal activity.