What can be more relaxing during your North Carolina getaway than a lovely Asheville tour and dining experience? Asheville NC’s past is so rich, and there is much to see and learn when visiting a historic landmark. Is Halloween your favorite holiday? Don’t miss the paranormal on our Ghost Trail. Each North Carolina museum possesses fascinating exhibits to visit. You’ll be sure to tell your neighbors what a great experience your North Carolina vacation has been!

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid of the Ghosts in Asheville

Ghost Tour Starts in the atrium of the Haywood Park Hotel at the corner of Battery Park Avenue and Haywood Street, Asheville, NC. 828-257-4001. Departs at 9:00p.m. nightly. Reservations required.

Things that go “bump in the night” have always been a source of interest for most of us. This is a 90-minute tour conducted by Tour Asheville, Inc that explores some stories of the strange and unexplained. Hear about a true, yet bizarre story that began in our fair city and ended in Florida. Listen to stories about hauntings in some of the very buildings in our downtown area. Six legal hangings occurred in Asheville and several lynchings (of the illegal persuasion) and what those spirits decided to teach inmates and jailors one night. All this and more in Ghost Tours. Bring your best imagination and your calmest nerves and join us in the fun.

The Urban Trail--Interpretation of a City called Asheville

Asheville’s downtown history is wonderfully reflected in the Urban Trail. It can be taken guided or self-guided. The city's history is divided into five distinct time periods that are marked by pink granite markers placed in sidewalks throughout the city.

This is a self-guided 1.7 mile walk through Asheville. Brochures for this historic jaunt can be obtained at Pack Place and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. It is possible to self guide this tour with only the brochure and comfortable shoes, or Pack Place location supplies both tape and cassette of the tour to really provide in depth information for the history buff.

The Tour begins with The Frontier Period when in 1784, the state of North Carolina began selling land grants in what would become the city of Asheville. It takes you into The Gilded Age when in 1880 the coming of the railroad introduced individuals of wealth and influence to this region. One of those individuals was George Vanderbilt of The Biltmore Estate fame.

As Asheville grows and matures into the metropolitan area that it is currently, this trail brings you along each and every exciting milestone and landmark.

The author, Thomas Wolfe in his writing of Look Homeward Angel found an endless supply of fodder for his writings right here in Asheville. This was a point not missed by his less than grateful neighbors.

This tour ends in a representation of The Age of Diversity, which honors the city of Asheville’s unparalleled cultural diversity.

As you walk our fine city enjoy the process and don’t forget to “stop and smell the flowers” by sampling the wonderful cuisine of our fine restaurants (www.airasheville.org), a great cup of coffee, or just the perfect gift from a downtown merchant. (www.ashevilledowntown.org)