Asheville's Historic Streets: A Self-Guided Walking Tour
- 2–2.5 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville boasts the second-largest collection of Art Deco architecture in America. On this walking tour, you’ll discover the city’s remarkable history, from its Cherokee origins to its Roaring Twenties boom. You’ll also hear about the unexpected preservation of its architectural treasures due to the Great Depression. (Don’t worry, it will make sense later.) This tour starts at the Visitor’s Center and takes you through downtown Asheville’s most iconic landmarks. Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the visionaries who shaped its distinctive character. You’ll learn how wealthy entrepreneurs like E.W. Grove and George Willis Pack transformed the city’s skyline and see how the arts have flourished here, from traditional Appalachian folk music to contemporary crafts. You’ll discover the city’s literary connections to Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry while passing bustling music venues and artisan markets.
Inclusions
What's included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
What's not
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Itinerary
You’ll pass by the Basilica of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, a significant religious landmark with deep historical roots, but please note that entry to the basilica is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, a major venue for concerts, sports, and cultural events, but please note that entry to the venue or any events is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by Roman’s Deli & Catering, a popular local spot known for its classic deli fare, but please note that any purchases or costs related to visiting the deli are not covered in this tour.
You’ll see The Flat Iron Hotel, an iconic building with distinctive architecture in the heart of Asheville, but please note that any costs related to visiting or entering the hotel are not covered in this tour.
You’ll pass by the Asheville Pinball Museum, known for its collection of vintage and modern pinball machines, but please note that admission to the museum is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by Spicer Greene Jewelers, a long-established local jeweler known for fine craftsmanship and elegant designs, but please note that any costs related to visiting or making purchases are not covered in this tour.
You’ll pass by the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, the preserved childhood home of the famed American author, but please note that admission to the house is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by Asheville Music Hall, a well-known venue for live performances and local music, but please note that entry to the venue or any events is not included in this tour.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.0
- 50
- 41
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- This tour starts at the Asheville Visitor Centre. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Asheville
- Its from-price is 84% below the median of the 149 experiences we list in Asheville.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 92 of 149.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Asheville
Asheville, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is an arts-minded mountain city of Art Deco buildings, craft breweries and a famous estate.
Asheville sits in a basin of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, where the French Broad River meets the Swannanoa. Its downtown is full of Art Deco buildings from the 1920s, including the City Building, and the Basilica of St Lawrence, with its elliptical dome, and the streets have bookshops, galleries and street musicians.
Top-ranked sights in Asheville: Grove Arcade, Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Blue Ridge Parkway.
Special offers in Asheville
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
