Asheville

If you can imagine our valley as a pendant, then Asheville, NC would be an Art Deco gem held by a setting of the blue-green stones of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s easy to think of Asheville and Western North Carolina in artistic terms. Arts and crafts have been a way of life here since woodcarvers and quilters used their creativity to supplement farm income.

Asheville and the surrounding villages are artwork themselves. Fine craftsmen and architects outdid each other in the days of opulence and speculation at the dawn of the last century. The Great Depression ended the boom but the buildings lived on, escaping the urban renewal that brought a sameness to America’s other cities. In Asheville, you can walk the 30 stations of the Urban Trail and learn more about the rich history of our city, from drover crossroad to the era of the grand hotels to today’s colorful cosmopolitan atmosphere.

These downtown areas of Asheville and the surrounding communities offer unique opportunities for shopping and dining. Fine arts and crafts, antiques and a delicious assortment of restaurants are all clustered in central business districts of Asheville, the Biltmore Estate Village and Weaverville.

Try on the latest hiking boots in a downtown shop and head out for adventure at the area’s many outdoor activities. Enjoy music or performing by any of a dozen excellent theatre or dance companies. Dine at a cool sidewalk table, then burn the calories by strolling downtown Asheville.

For a complete guide to local activities, visit RomanticAsheville.com, or go to ExploreAsheville.com for a free Travel Guide.

Best of Both Worlds

If an interest in Western North Carolina’s mountain views is on your bucket list as you plan an extended visit to the area, the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association (ABBA) can offer a number of lodging experiences for your consideration. Among them is the opportunity to stay at more than one of our member inns with an itinerary that can include views of the “city and “country” while you’re here!!

Our membership is made up of 16 individual inns, each of which offers unique facilities, services and amenities. And while many of them offer “in” or “near” Asheville experiences, ABBA also includes in its membership several Buncombe County properties that offer lodging alternatives that are just 15-20 minutes away from the City’s urban center.

If you are looking for the best of both worlds, consider staying in one of Asheville’s B&Bss followed by a getaway to one of our incredible B&Bs outside of the city.