I was delighted last week when I found out that our city of Asheville was voted among the World’s Best Cities on Travel + Leisure. It ranked #10 in the United States and Canada.
I’ve only been living here for four years, and although I have yet to explore everything that the city has to offer, I am loving the city immensely. Coming from a big city with more than half a million population in Southeast Asia, Asheville’s more than 80,000 population is among the many things that I am thrilled about; not so crowded as at home. And there is more to be excited and love about Asheville. I love food and I totally enjoy the many restaurants that offer different cuisines. We have sampled a bunch already, but there are more that we need to check out and I will definitely share all of our food adventures here.
Not only the food, Asheville is full of history like what my husband had written before which I believe is a reason enough for all the history buffs to come down to Asheville. Also, a lot of fun activities are available for tourists and locals alike.
I’ve listed five things to do in downtown Asheville below that I plan of doing with the husband and our son soon. I think it would be exciting and fun to play tourist for a day or two in our beautiful little city.
1) Take a Trolley Tour. We always see the trolley whenever we hit downtown and it makes me glad to see those people’s delighted faces on board. Not only are they seeing the sights but the conductor is giving a historical monologue. I’ve never ridden in a trolley and I would love to experience seeing the city in a touristy way. And I think it is just right that my first would be here in Asheville.
2) Ride the Pubcycle. Here’s another fun way to see the city – riding in this pedal-powered vehicle while having a beer. I am not a drinker, but I think a bottle of beer wouldn’t hurt while being pedaled with the hubs and other individuals and circling downtown. This unique attraction goes hand-in-hand with Asheville’s beer culture. There are several local breweries in the area and a couple of national names have made their home here. Asheville was also voted Beer City USA in 2010 and tied for first in 2012 in a national poll.
3) Walk the Urban Trail. A different way of touring downtown. The tour highlights the historic events of the city as well as people and the beautiful architecture. You have to follow symbols in granite blocks such as the one in the picture which you can find in the sidewalk. You are going to be given a map and tour takes approximately two hours to complete.
4) Splash in Splashville. The best way to beat the heat. It is located in Pack Square Park in front of the court house and it is for free. This one is for our son to enjoy. Not unless he thinks he’s too old for it. 😉
5) Sample the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. I’ve already missed chances of checking this chocolate store. I was going to check it out on the Fourth of July, but the queue was just so long. The name of the restaurant says it all. They offer a lot of enticing and mouth-watering desserts. This place is heaven for a sweet tooth like me.
These are just some of the things on my bucket list. There are more fun things to do in downtown Asheville. I’ll complete these five first and I’ll make another list. 😉
Have you been to Asheville yet? Which one you want to do first if ever you plan of visiting the city?
that sounds like such a fun place to visit!! I would absolutely love to go there with my kids Someday.
I think we’ll have to take a family trip to Asheville next year. It looks like a great place to have a great time. Thanks so much.
Asheville looks really cool. My Aunt Lois has had a house there for over 10 years.
We have visited Asheville and we love it. What a beautiful place.
I have never been to Asheville, but it looks like there are a lot of cool things to do there. Hopefully one day I’ll get there!
I’ve never been, but I would go just for the Chocolate Lounge! I love playing tourist in the towns near where we live. Sometimes when you live so close to a place, you never actually take the opportunity to enjoy all of the great stuff there is to see and do!
i want to go on a trolley tour! how cool!
These are all great suggestions and we really enjoy people watching in Asheville too. You see such diverse personalities and listening to the street music can be fun as well!
I have never visited Asheville but that French Broad Chocolate Lounge sounds like it needs to be my very first stop, thanks for sharing! 🙂
I live in the Triad (Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem area) and am planning a trip to Asheville in October. These are some great ideas I wouldn’t have thought of; thanks for posting! I’m especially intrigued by that Urban Trail!
What a beautiful area! Then the picture of the French Broad Chocolate Lounge made that not matter at all…. because now I want to go there just to check that place out. All by myself, no kids, no distractions!
I have been to Asheville before but it was over 20 years ago. I can’t believe they have so many fun things to do!
This sounds like such a nice place to spend a day with the family. I need to make it out there more often.
You had me at Chocolate Lounge! That sounds so fun! I really like Splashville and the pubcycle looks like a lot of fun to ride.
I wish would’ve known about these places when my in-laws lived there, that Chocolate placed would’ve been my second home. 🙂
I love trolley rides!! They are a great way to see a new city and explore while staying cool! This is a great post and I hope to visit Asheville one day!!
I have always wanted to visit! IT looks liek a lot of fun. I know they have good local beers there.
Ashville sounds like an awesome place to visit. The Chocolate Lounge sounds really interesting.
What a great post! it makes me feel like I was traveling with you! While I have never been to Ashville, I now know there are heaps of things to do!
The first place I would want to visit in Asheville? Where else but the French Broad Chocolate Lounge! Riding the pubcycle would be second. Nice place!
I’ve been to Asheville many times, but I haven’t done all of these things. Next time I go, I’m taking this list with me.
I’ve got a soft spot for trolley cars or even buses that look like trolley cars. I’ve been in one of the latter. 🙂
I love the idea of a trolley. I would love to get around see the sights, and city in one. So much fun. These are great ideas!
I’ve never been to Asheville before but it looks like a lovely place to visit. Next time I’m visiting the states, we’ll see if we can stop by.
I’ve heard Ashville is a wonderful place to visit! I really have always wanted to visit that part of the country! thanks for sharing!
Ashville looks like it’s having beautiful weather! I would totally visit!
What a fun list of things to do! I always love it when towns have trolley tours! I don’t know what it is about the things but it makes tours a tab bit more fun being on one.
Oh fun! I would love to visit, there are so many fun things to do!
It’s great when cities take pride of their history and how they dont forget about it despite changing times.
The trolley tour is something I’d like to do and the pubcycle – first time I’ve heard of it but it does sound interesting.
These are all great things to do . I would love to go to the Chocolate Lounge.
My kids would enjoy the splash pad. They have gone several times in our area. I wish 8 got to visit Ashville when I lived in North Carolina. It just wasn’t feasible to travel when I was a single mom.
I’ve never been on a trolley before and have always wanted to. Looks fun and would love to visit there.
My kids would really love that trolly, they love Danielle tiger and would probably make me ride it a million times singing that same song.