Travel Guide for Downtown Asheville and Asheville Area

Why did Frommer’s name Asheville, North Carolina, one of twelve top travel destinations for 2007? Simple – downtown Asheville has to be one of the hippest, most vibrant and charming urban districts in the country. Juxtaposed against the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains, our city has everything a visitor could want. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through it and the magnificent Biltmore Estate is an integral part of Asheville’s heritage and continuing beauty.

Willow Winds has enough on-site activities to keep you busy without gallivanting around the town and mountains. Nonetheless, we encourage our visitors to spend the day hiking , bicycling or visiting the attractions in the Asheville area or throughout Western North Carolina. Hang out downtown during the evenings, and reserve a few days for downtown Asheville during the daytime, too. You’ll see what all the accolades are about.

Downtown Asheville is just a 10-minute drive from Willow Winds. We created this visitors guide and an interactive map to help you get the most out of your Asheville lodging. Enjoy your stay.

TOURS

Urban Trail

For those who prefer a more structured tour of downtown, the city of Asheville prepared the Urban Trail, a 1.7-mile tour that passes by 30 pieces of public sculpture. Plaques and markers along the way tell Asheville’s history.

Asheville Historic Trolley Tours

Asheville Historic Trolley Tours provide visitors with a 90-minute ride through downtown and the surrounding region, narrated by a knowledgeable guide.

Asheville Haunted Ghost Tour

Any town with a history as rich and deep as Asheville’s is bound to have a few ghost stories. Take a walk through downtown with a paranormal expert on the Asheville Haunted Ghost Tour.