asheville nc food tour

Asheville Food Tours is the original Walking Food Tour of downtown Asheville, North Carolina!

– Locally Owned & Operated –

On our tours you will experience the best of what our famous food makers have to offer, learn what makes each stop and the whole town so special, delve into the history of Asheville, and become familiar with downtown, while in the capable hands of a true local who knows our city well! Touring Asheville never tasted so good!

ABOUT THE TOURS

The downtown tour.

Offered on Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday / Up to 7 Stops / Alcohol Included / 3+ hours $85 per person 

Experience the Original Asheville Downtown Food Tour. Each tour will visit up to seven handpicked downtown restaurants and food shops, offering a wide variety of food tastings from artful ethnic appetizers washed down with a splash of pinot to hand crafted sizzling delights. You quickly realize that Asheville is a proud and local economy and each business embraces this “keep Asheville local” movement. Asheville offers homegrown embellishments along with its modern exploration into spicy multi-cultural riches. With its strong roots in Southern heritage, Asheville has branched into a cosmopolitan Mecca of abundant food choices from all around the world, which we Asheville food enthusiasts are eager to share with our community and visitors.

BUY TICKETS

The Food Fan Tour

Offered on Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday / Up to 7 Stops / Alcohol Included / 3+ hours $85 per person

Experience downtown Asheville’s food scene with the #1 local food writer and online food personality, Stu Helm, aka “The Food Fan” as your guide. Stu will take you to his personal favorite restaurants, fill you up with some of what he considers to be the best bites & drinks in town, while also pointing out historic buildings along the way, talking about the history of Asheville, answering questions, and telling stories. Whether he’s writing, podcasting, or leading a food tour, Stu’s knowledge & enthusiasm for our local restaurants is unmatched!

To learn more about Stu Helm, visit: https://stuhelmfoodfan.com

Brunch Tour

Offered on Saturdays / Up to 7 Stops / Alcohol Included / Approx. 3 hours $85 per person

The brunch tour is a great way to start the day! Experience delicious foods, enjoy brunch cocktails, and survey the unique architecture that make downtown Asheville spectacular.  This Saturday tour, which begins at 11:00 am, features up to seven stops, which include drinks and a sweet! Come hungry and finish with time for other Asheville activities.

Private Tours

Custom built for your group of any size. Contact 828-243-7401or [email protected] to book. 1 person = $250 2 People = $300 3 People = $420 4 People = $500 5 or More People = $120 per person

Please use the calendar below to purchase tickets for any of our tours!

All Asheville Food Tours listed on the Calendar are $85 per person.  For private tours, email [email protected] or call 828-243-7401

We are looking forward to having you on a tour! Please read our FAQ below, and if you have further questions, please call 828-243-7401

Your Tour Guide will contact you on the morning of the tour with the meeting place.

Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable, as they guarantee your spot on the tour.* If you need to reschedule, please call 828-243-7401 within 72 hours of the tour. If any tour is canceled for any reason, ticket holders will be offered a full refund, a full credit, or a reschedule.

* If you are concerned that you may need to cancel, please consider using “Peek Protect” insurance, which will be offered when you purchase your tickets.

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Read our reviews on Trip Advisor & Yelp!!

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The High Roller Tour

The high roller.

Up to   6 Stops

2.5 Hours of Fun

$89 per person

• Tours are given Thursday-Sunday in historic downtown Asheville
• A sampling of downtown Asheville’s best restaurants
• At least 3 drink pairings (including wine, cocktails, with non-alcoholic drinks also available)

Join us for a super delicious, fun, and educational walking food tour of Asheville’s culinary favorites that spotlight the region’s signature farm-to-table, local flavors. Sit down at some of the most elegant, trendy, and acclaimed tables in our beloved foodie city…and sample an array of flavors, cuisines, and local produce.

The Best of the Best

This tour is known for its outstanding food and drink pairings, designed by some of Asheville’s most notable chefs, brewers, and mixologists. We’ll highlight the most exceptional players in Asheville’s farm-to-table scene.

Discover peak deliciousness with the High Roller tour …and discover for yourself why Asheville is a leader in the national culinary scene!

Restaurants on the High Roller Tour

For descriptions of the establishments we visit on our High Roller Tours visit our Restaurants pages.

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Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours

• Contact for booking
• Asheville, NC 28801
• Phone: (919) 237-2254
• Region: Downtown
• Visit Website

Asheville Downtown Tasting Tour – Asheville’s Downtown Tasting Tour is a fun and delicious way to explore the city! Throughout the walking tour, you will sample savory and sweet favorites from downtown Asheville’s renowned farm-to-table restaurants, eclectic cafes, and specialty food stores. You’ll also learn about the history of the city, the architecture, and the incredible culinary scene from your tour guide. By the end of this tour, you will feel like a local! Register in advance. 

Asheville Downtown Custom Corporate Tour – Let Taste Carolina introduce you to downtown’s most exceptional hidden gems! You’ll enjoy delicious food and drink from the city's best chefs and mixologists. Along the way, your tour guide will share how Asheville came to be the foodie destination it is today. Whether it’s a private tour for ten people or 200 people, Taste Carolina will tailor a special day or evening to your needs. Contact by phone or email. 

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Downtown Asheville Food Tour

Biltmore's annual pass sale is live don't miss out.

Here's a fun way to explore downtown Asheville! Take a walking tour with Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours to sample the best cuisine and drinks, while learning about fascinating historical tidbits. Choose from two tours and wear your walking shoes for a 2-3 mile stroll with five or six stops. From chocolate to sake, expect a big variety of samples at local restaurants and bars that definitely makes a meal. Tours usually last about 3 hours.

Asheville Downtown Tasting Tour: Sample savory and sweet favorites from the best farm-to-table restaurants, eclectic cafes, and specialty food stores. Learn about the city's history, architecture, and culinary scene from your tour guide. Consider this a "walking brunch". We suggest eating a light breakfast since the tour usually starts around 10:30 AM, dates vary according to season. Go to the Taste Carolina Web site to check the current schedule. $60/person. The tours often sell-out, so buy tickets in advance.

Asheville Downtown Evening Eats & Drinks Tour: Visit speakeasies and innovative bars for craft cocktails, wine, and beer tastings - all paired with savory bites. Meet mixologists and take home some tips. Includes a journey underground to a brewery. Bring your ID. Tours usually start around 3 PM on Friday or Saturday. $75/person. Go to the Taste Carolina Web site to check the current schedule. Tours often sell-out, so buy tickets in advance.

Our favorite was the housemade ice cream sandwiches with delicious combinations! Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours are located in many North Carolina cities, so they are definitely experts. They offer custom tours any day of the week for all sizes of groups.  Go to their Web site .

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Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours - Asheville

Downtown Asheville is known for its eclectic arts and culture and a vibrant food and drink scene that celebrates independent restaurants and locally-sourced ingredients. Learn about this gorgeous city on a Taste Carolina walking tour and discover why Asheville was hailed by National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine as one of the top 15 places in the world to “treat your taste buds”! Asheville’s Downtown Tasting Tour is a fun and delicious way to explore the city! You will sample savory and sweet favorites from downtown Asheville’s renowned farm-to-table restaurants, eclectic cafes, and specialty food stores. You’ll also learn about the history of the city, the architecture, and the incredible culinary scene from your tour guide. By the end of this tour, you will feel like a local! Private and custom tours can be arranged for any day or night of the week for groups.

• Family friendly
• Group friendly
• Tours: Guided

36 Montford Avenue Asheville, NC 28801

(919) 237-2254 www.tastecarolina.net [email protected]

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THE 10 BEST Asheville Food & Drink Tours

Food & drink tours in asheville.

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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Asheville Food Tour

Review Highlights

“ Paddy the tour guide does a wonderful job with lots of fun facts and just enough blarney to keep you interested. ” in 23 reviews

“ Stu our guide is a true foodie; thoroughly enjoyed the variety and quality of food he introduced us to. ” in 19 reviews

“ You can tell she really loves what she does and is passionate about helping people feel welcomed, and at home in the Asheville food scene . ” in 4 reviews

Location & Hours

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Asheville, NC 28801

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We had an amazing time with Stu Helms on our food tour this week. We got lots of history about the city and it's food, presented by someone (Stu) who obviously cares a lot about the people and plates in Asheville.

What an amazing evening spent sampling generous portions of Asheville's cuisine. The group was the perfect size and the restaurants were friendly and welcoming. Our wonderful host, Stu, is a wealth of knowledge not just in the culinary arts but Asheville's history and Architecture. Never boring and was intentional on the entire group experiencing an EXCELLENT EVENT!! Thank you!

Just spent the day with Amy and she was wonderful. Full of interesting facts about local architecture and took us to several great restaurants I definitely would go back to. She ended our tour with chocolate and custom cocktails. A perfect ending. Highly recommend this tour. Ask for Amy!

We had such a great time with Aimee on our Asheville Food Tour. We toured with her in October on a perfect fall day! I was excited that the tour included both food and drink and had such a wide variety of offerings. My hubby's favorite stop was definitely at Chocolate Fetish where we had to go back for many purchases after the tour. The tacos at White Duck were delish and I loved the mini stop at Sunshine Sammies. Aimee's tour was interesting, fun and informative. Our group size was perfect so that everyone kind of got to know each other at the different stops and could hear her as we wandered through town. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone going to Asheville and would happily go again the next time we visit!

We had a wonderfully engaging tour guide. Food was so good, and guide had us laughing frequently. He was a great story teller!

Great way to explore Asheville ! I went on the Asheville Food Tour in November. The tour was so fun ! We had so much food ! Our tour guide Stu was amazing and answered all of our questions. It was a great intimate group. I would definitely go again ! We were stuffed by the end of it ! It's worth the price and it is great exercise. I really learned a lot about Asheville and the food around here. Lots more food places for me to check out thanks to Stu's suggestions. He was so charismatic and friendly! He is so knowledgeable. I definitely will do it again. Thanks Stu !

See all photos from Gillian A. for Asheville Food Tour

Amy was our fabulous, informative and entertaining tour guide. We tasted various yummy delights in downtown Asheville. I would highly recommend this tour and hopefully you will be blessed and have Amy as your guide. We loved White Duck Taco, Chocolate Fetish, Blue Dream Curry (went back for dinner later that night). Go...you won't regret it. The drinks were good too!!

My close friend had his bachelor party in Asheville recently, and he is a foodie! Naturally, a food tour of a fun, eclectic mountian town is the way to go. Our group booked with Asheville Food Tour, and let me tell you....best decision ever. The tour covered six amazing locations with incredible tastes at each stop. Our tour guide, Aimee, absolutely made the tour. She was hilarious, knowledgable, candid and so accommodating to the group! You can tell she really loves what she does and is passionate about helping people feel welcomed, and at home in the Asheville food scene. I cannot recommend this tour enough, but I particularly recommend you book with Aimee! What an amazing day!

We spent New Year's Eve in Asheville and signed up for this tour on a recommendation from good friends. What a treat! I have spent a ton of time in Asheville over the years but had never l really learned about the history of Asheville's downtown culture and architecture. Aimee was out host/guide and was so knowledgeable about both the city and the culinary scene, and has an awesome personality to boot! We especially loved the curry house and the cocktail bar ! Will definitely recommend!

We had a great Food Tour with Stu! He was very engaging, shared a lot of knowledge about the city and the food. We visited some great restaurants and learned about so many more. I'm so glad we did the tour and would definitely recommend it!

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Forage & Feast in Asheville

Experience TripAdvisor's #1 Foraging Activity in the US

Where else on the planet can you walk in the woods, be entertained, and find a five-star meal coming out of the earth?

guest review

• MOST POPULAR

Foraging Tour

Wander through woods and meadows with expert guides, gathering any of over 500 edibles depending on the weather and the season. Enjoy a cooking demo, tasting, and the option to have your finds prepared at one of Asheville’s top restaurants.

• Clock 9:30 am
• Hour Glass 2.5 hours

Reishi Tour

Hike up rugged mountain creeks and hollers, climbing over hulks of ancient hemlocks in search of the most prized medicinal mushroom in the world. Tour runs from May 1st-June 15th with limited availabilities.

• Clock 10 a.m.
• Calendar Thurs.
• Hour Glass 1.5 hours

Wild Food Stroll

Discover some of our area’s most common edibles of field and forest just five minutes from downtown Asheville. That evening, enjoy edibles seen on the tour at the inn’s Vue 1913 restaurant.

• Clock 8am-7pm
• Calendar daily

What’s in My Yard?

Discover your yarden , the wild edibles growing just outside your door. You’ll meet over a dozen wild foods: greens, berries, mushrooms, and more. You’ll receive a list of your edibles and a “treasure map” showing where to find them. We’ll talk about harvesting and preparation, similar-looking species, medicinal uses, and more.

Ready to go wild? Experience what brings millions to Asheville every year — the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the vibrant food scene — with our unique forage-to-table tours.

We’ve been taking people “out to eat” for over 27 years. Tours are offered year-round. Led by expert guides, you’ll discover at least a dozen wild edibles, including ones you might find in your own backyard. Depending on the weather and the season, these can include mushrooms, greens, fruits, roots, berries, flowers, nuts, and more. We’ll gather together and cook up a tasting. Keep your foraged finds or have them crafted into an appetizer at an award-winning Asheville restaurant .

For a truly unique, 100% Asheville experience, join us off the eaten path. Tours average 10 participants and are family-friendly and suitable for all ages and abilities . Our introductory e-book is included, and all equipment is provided. Discover how fun, safe, easy, and delicious foraging can be!

Our guides are all experts in the field , including a former forager for over 75 restaurants, a naturopathic doctor, a board member of the North American Fruit Explorers, and an ethnobotanist with a master’s in Appalachian studies. For them, foraging is a way of life. With passion and precision, they make foraging safe and fun .

“With Hannelore’s help, we were able to literally get a taste of the connection people can experience with nature.”

A Lovely Morning with Hannelore , TripAdvisor

We had a wonderful adventure from morning to night , TripAdvisor

“My 7-year-old had constant questions, and Christian was so sweet, she took a moment every time to answer and talk with him.”

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TripAdvisor Reviews

The foraged items can be taken to local restaurants where they cook a plate so delicious I couldn't believe it came from what I'd always considered weeds…

It was like having an all-access backstage pass to nature's most fantastic show on earth.

beautiful and informative

It’s like going on a treasure hunt where no one sees the treasure but you…I felt I was in a different world with the perfect guide.

You could be in any kind of shape, any kind of experience, at any age and it would be valuable and fun.

Even in the middle of winter, we had a great time.

A must for any foodie, backpacker, or nature enthusiast.

I left the tour with the ability to turn a quarter of my backyard into a salad.

You truly felt like they wanted you to have an amazing time.

We took our 6th tour last month and look forward to our 7th one tomorrow.

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the time just flew by

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We've wanted to take one of these tours for years and absolutely loved it. The guide and tour were interesting and tasty. We can't wait to return to Asheville and take the longer tour! Highly-recommended!

I booked the Wild Food Stroll with my 2 kids, and they LOVED it. Our guide was knowledgeable and had fun activities for kids (eat leaves from a tree like a giraffe). My kids came home and have enjoyed pointing out the edibles in our yard...and eating them too!

Our family ranging from 4 to 72 years old all had a blast. The tour was very informative and interactive. We all got to enjoy the outdoors while tasting what the wilderness was offering that day. Highly recommend for an activity that is not only different, but a lot of fun.

We had a great time strolling around with Becky. She was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We learned a lot and she created some excitement for us to forage around our own area when we returned home. Thank you.

wildfoodasheville

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Asheville Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

If you like immersing yourself in the entire spectrum of experiences that are available when you travel, you're sure to love engaging in one of our secret food tours. On a secret food tour of Asheville, you'll get to enjoy the area's unique dining opportunities from a local perspective and visit many restaurants and eateries that aren't always included on tourist maps.

The Asheville area is widely regarded as a great place to feast on the typical fare of the southern United States, but our food tours of Asheville don't end with barbecue, ham, biscuits and cornbread. You'll also have the chance to sample distinctive dishes at family-run bistros, try out the offerings of various food trucks and indulge in locally crafted brews at one or more of the city's many pubs.

Let someone else do the hard work of finding the most exclusive cuisine in Asheville by taking advantage of one of our secret food tours. Book your tour with us today.

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Edible Asheville

Signature farm tours, guided tours of the farms  nestled in the mountains, around asheville, 2024 tour schedule.

*If you’re interested in scheduling a private tour — for reunions, corporate events, or bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc. — please call us at (828) 620-1230.

THE WAY OF WELLNESS TOUR

A five-hour guided tour that explores the restorative gifts of mother nature. meal and transportation included., june 27, 2024 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Click Here for Ticket Info

Nourish your soul with a tour that explores the connection between our health and the living things that sprout from the earth. This one-of-a-kind tour includes three stops, starting with a primer on mycology and the benefits of growing and consuming mushrooms — and then follows with a visit to a beautiful herb farm that grows dozens of varieties valued for their wellness properties. The tour ends with a locally prepared lunch amid the sights and sounds of a third farm.

This uplifting tour will introduce you to the many ways Mother Nature can support our health and wellbeing. Great for all ages.

The Way of Wellness Tour includes …

• Luxury transportation by Van in Black
• Guided tours of local working farms
• A premium lunch of sandwiches and salads + snacks
• Annual subscription to Edible Asheville
• Souvenir canvas tote bag

The Way of Wellness Tour is ideal for …

• Individuals, couples and friends who want to explore the gifts of the land
• Families who want to introduce children to farming
• Residents who want to know more about the region they call home
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• Corporate groups and retreats who are seeking unique and authentic experiences

DATES : June 27, 2024

TIMES : 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

WHERE : Parking and meet-up at Mills River Park in Mills River, NC (detailed instructions to follow). Our van will pick us up and drop us off at this location. The tour will include three sites.

Tickets are $140. Only 13 tickets available per tour.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOMESTEADING TOUR

A five-hour guided tour that introduces you to daily life on north carolina mountain farms. transportation and guided cider tasting included., july 20, 2024 | 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

Discover the joys of growing your own food with a guided tour of two local “teaching” farms and learn more about keeping chickens, raising goats, building greenhouses and growing herbs, vegetables and fruits.

This is a great introductory tour for gardening enthusiasts and homesteaders — or just local food lovers — who want to learn more about sowing, growing, raising, harvesting and producing the food we enjoy.

The tour includes luxury transportation and a behind-the-scenes tour of two bustling homestead operations. The tour ends at a local cidery, where we enjoy a guided tasting of locally made ciders.

The Highlights of Homesteading Tour includes …

• A guided cider tasting + snacks

The Highlights of Homesteading Tour is ideal for …

• Individuals, couples and friends who enjoy good food and beautiful scenery
• Visitors who want to know more about WNC’s thriving agriculture scene

DATES : July 20, 2024

TIMES : 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM

WHERE : Parking and meet-up at 731 Chesnut Gap Road in Hendersonville, NC (detailed instructions to follow). Our van will pick us up and drop us off at this location. The tour will include three sites.

PAST EVENTS

Artisanal cheese tour.

Join us for a guided tour of artisanal cheesemakers nestled in the beautiful mountains around Asheville — and finish the tour with a flight of wine and cheese pairing at a celebrated local winery.

MADE IN ASHEVILLE

From snacks to sauces, the chefs of Asheville’s commercial kitchens have taken their mouth-watering goods to grocery store shelves across the U.S. Meet them in person and get a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of top-selling brands.   Featuring Roots Hummus, Munki Foods, Looking Glass Creamery, Firewalker Hot Sauce and Postre Caramels.

FIZZY FAVORITES

As health experts continue to explore the benefits of fermented drinks, DIY enthusiasts are embracing these fizzy favorites and learning to make the more popular options at home. This tasting and demonstration introduced guests to local experts who offered instruction on how to make our own refreshing and gut-healthy beverages.

THE MUD MASTERS

Co-hosted by Rhubarb and Edible Asheville – and sponsored by Whole Foods Market – this event is the latest in the series of FED Talks, which aim to connect consumers in Western North Carolina with their favorite chefs, farmers, brewers, and food artisans. The Mud Masters tasting will dive into the origins of coffee and explore the components of a good cup.

BREAKING BREAD

Join celebrated, local cookbook author Ashley English for a discussion on how people are using food to create long-lasting bonds, cherished friendships, strong social networks, and engaged communities.

THE MAGIC OF FERMENTATION

Meet Asheville’s top ferments and learn this ancient food preservation practice. Fermented food tasting and demo led by Meg Chamberlain from Fermenti Foods and Sarah Archer from Serotonin Ferments.

THE SECRETS OF SOURDOUGH BREAD

Discover the basics of baking homemade sourdough bread and learn Old World techniques used by Asheville’s top bakers. Learn new ways to taste bread and identify different grains. Discover the science behind bread baking. Make your own sourdough starter to kickstart your home-baking practice.

THE CUSTOM COCKTAIL

Serve unique cocktails this holiday season with homemade flavorings and a well-stocked home bar. Learn tips to perfect popular drinks, and explore trends in mixology and craft cocktails. Enjoy a holiday punch and a selection of small plates from Rhubarb’s talented chefs. Take home your own bottle of handmade bitters and liven up holiday drinks with one-of-a-kind flavors.

CREAM OF THE CROP

Ice cream: the quintessential summer pleasure. Hear from a few of the Asheville artisans churning out locally sourced flavors and keeping the city cool and sweet in our next FED Talk. Ice cream makers from the Hop, Ultimate, and French Broad Chocolates join us to describe some of the challenges they face in their craft and what makes their product unique to Asheville—as well as share some of their favorite combinations.

THE WELL-MADE WEDGE

Buttery or barnyard-y? Stinky or tangy? Sheep, goat or cow? No matter your taste in cheese, Western North Carolina artisans produce something to obsess over. But what goes into producing each unique wedge? Our third FED Talk takes you behind the scenes at some of the region’s dairies—like Spinning Spider and Looking Glass Creamery—to discover the labor-intensive process of cheese-making, from animal to farmer’s market. (April 27, 2017)

It’s not all about beer—America’s original craft beverage is getting its share of attention in the region. Cider-makers from Urban Orchard Cider Company, Noble Cider, and Black Mountain Ciderworks hew to traditional methods and take advantage of North Carolina’s apple country for a drink wholly unlike the mass-market ciders widely available in the past few decades. Join us for our second FED Talk to sample their offerings and take part in the conversation about what makes Asheville a great cider town. (January 19, 2017)

 SETTING THE NEW APPALACHIAN TABLE: A Q&A with John Fleer

Rhubarb owner John Fleer became one of the region’s most celebrated chefs by embracing local food traditions and creating new versions of them. In a Q&A with Edible Asheville managing editor Mark Essig, the James Beard Award nominee discusses his thoughts on Southern Appalachia cuisine and how the region is poised to leave its mark on American food. (September 22, 2016)

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Your Guide to the Locally Loved

The 15 Fun and Unique Tours in Asheville, NC

I love taking tours when I travel, and I take tours at home when I’m not traveling! Joining tours to explore where you live is like having a special date with a loved one to connect deeper and feel more appreciation each time. 

I consider myself an independent traveler, but I always include a dose of locally operated tours and experiences offered by locals to further explore whatever excites me the most about the destination. 

Asheville is a small city with a population of less than 100,000 – but it has a lot to offer! From its architectural gems and exciting farm-to-table food movement and beer scene to its epic outdoors and talented artists, there is something for everyone here. Asheville is also full of projects, nonprofits, and businesses that form a support network for our underserved communities. 

I’ve compiled a list of tours that reflect all aspects of Asheville’s identity. You’ll see options to explore our city’s history, outdoors , street art, food and beer scene , art shops, and our most famous buildings: The Biltmore House and the Omni Grove Park Inn. But no matter which type of tour you choose, you’re bound to walk away with a deeper understanding of this great city! 

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 15 Fun and Unique Tours in Asheville, NC

Disclaimer : This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

The Best Tours in Asheville, NC

1. get to know asheville’s landmarks by taking its most iconic tour.

The purple buses of LaZoom Comedy Tours represent one of the best tours in Asheville and are a city landmark. The first thing I saw when I first visited Asheville from Argentina, looking for a new cool place to live in the United States, was a guy dressed as a nun, riding a bike, and angrily screaming at a purple bus. I instantly knew this was the place for our family to move next. My kids had to grow up near Sister Bad Habit!

These “historical and hysterical” multi-award-winning tours mix comedy, history, and partying on purple buses guided by eccentric characters. The locally owned and operated tour company was founded by two street performers 16 years ago and now offers four tours. 

“Hey Asheville” is a city tour and vaudeville on wheels. “Fender Bender” mixes live music on the bus and beer tasting, making an original, fun Asheville brewery tour. “Ghosted” offers a haunted comedy tour, and “Lil Boogers” is their kid-friendly option (the others have age limits, so please check ahead of time). All the tours are dog friendly!

2. See Asheville’s Top Attractions on the Gray Line Asheville Trolley

The Gray Line Asheville Trolley tour is one of the most popular Asheville tours, and for a good reason. It offers an excellent, award-winning Hop-On Hop-Off Tour that the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County has endorsed. 

Visitors can listen to the live narration and get off the bus at one of the 10 stops (or all of them!) along the 15-mile route to experience Asheville’s breweries, shops, and the urban scene. Also, tickets are valid for two consecutive days!

This locally owned and operated business also offers a fun ghost tour, covering some of our most famous specters (we have plenty!), including the friendly Tim Burton-like ghost of the Pink Lady of the Grove Park Inn and the mystery of the Nazi agents based in Asheville.

The seasonal Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour includes live music and Christmas caroling while driving past festive holiday decorations in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village, and the Montford and Grove Park neighborhoods.

3. Explore Downtown on an Asheville Walking Tour 

This self-guided Urban Trail Tour is a free audio tour offered by the City of Asheville and is a great way to get to know the city’s history at your own pace. It starts at Pack Place Park and follows 30 stations marked by cool sculptures. 

AVL Free Walking Tours offers a tip-based Asheville walking tour that ends with a free scoop of ice cream at The Hop . Their haunted tour (not free) starts at the Riverside Cemetery in the historic district of Montford and goes all the way downtown. It’s the only ghost tour that covers this super interesting cemetery.

The Asheville Coffee Tour features six of Asheville’s best coffee and tea shops. It includes short stops at Asheville’s landmarks and lots of caffeine! 

The Asheville Music History Walking Tour explores downtown through the stories of Asheville’s eclectic past and present music scene. It covers the Moogseum (which offers its own tour) and the famous venue The Orange Peel , among other local icons.

Did you know that the Jackson Building, the Battery Park Hotel, and a famous restaurant host ghosts? Last Halloween, my kids and I took the Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour , one of the best Asheville walking tours, and we enjoyed getting a glimpse of the city’s past through these dark stories. 

4. Explore Downtown and Its Surroundings on Wheels

Winner of TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Award, the Tukit Tour Co offers guided tours around downtown on environmentally-friendly, open-air six-seater electric tuk-tuks decorated with LED-lights and equipped with Bluetooth speakers and heated seats. They offer ready-to-go tours and private customized tours. 

The Flying Bike provides electric bike tours around town. The Winter Warm Up E-Bike Tour is perfect for chilly days, and it includes stops at two local restaurants, hot cocoa, apple cider, and a visit to the historic Omni Grove Park Inn. 

Asheville Adventure Company features a scenic Asheville e-bike sunset tour, perfect for photos all year round but especially in the fall. The e-bike tours are kid-friendly if you’re traveling with kids. 

I’ve never taken a Segway tour, but I might because every time I see the Segway riders around my neighborhood, they look so content and relaxed. Moving Sidewalk Segway Tours offers a tour that covers downtown and other areas, like Montford and the greenways in North Asheville. The tour is 10 and up, and training is included! 

Book a stay at The Omni Grove Park Inn

5. Tour Downtown Asheville while Drinking and Pedaling on an Amazing Pubcycle

Amazing Pubcycle is one of the most trendy Asheville tours. The pedal-powered (motor-assisted) trolleys and their festive, laughing riders are becoming a happy downtown landmark. 

The company offers different tours perfect for parties and celebrations, including fun bachelorette parties, but you can also book individual seats. Guests will bring their own and serve their own beer, wine, cider, or seltzer and drink it on a 15-person pedal trolley driven by a certified, funny, and charismatic tour guide. 

Clients are welcome to wear costumes and bring decorations to customize their ride, so you can imagine what a fun sight these bikes are. The most popular offer is the Pub Tour in downtown Asheville which stops at one of Asheville’s best pubs. 

Also, they’re now offering a Trivia Tour on wheels! Riders have to be older than 12. There are 10 pedal seats and room for five non-pedalers. Yes, you do have to pedal, so enjoy your drink and your workout!

6. Embark on an Asheville Scavenger Hunt Tour

This is a fantastic plan for co-workers, friends, or family! Asheville Detours offers personalized team adventures that will bring you around downtown. You’ll follow clues like solving riddles and unscrambling letters while enjoying tasty treats and drinks and participating in fun group activities introducing you to some favorite local businesses. 

Asheville Detours has four offerings, and they can all be customized according to your preferences: The Bachelorette Tour, the Authentic Asheville Detour, the Family Fun Detour, and the Team Building Detour. Each hunt is self-guided and lasts approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

Some stops and treats include eating donuts at the beloved Stay Glazed, tasting honey at Asheville Bee Charmer, group crafting at Fired Up, beer and chocolate tastings, and a champagne toast and private tour at Momentum Gallery.

Also, are you looking for the perfect, most unique Asheville gift? They offer “Authentic Asheville” gift boxes featuring local products, an excellent way to keep spreading the love for local businesses!

7. Learn about Asheville’s African American Residents with this Award-Winning Tour

Hood Huggers International’s mission is to “rebuild Affrilachia through art, environment, and social enterprise.” Affrilachia is a term coined by Frank X Walker referring to African Americans living in Appalachia. 

In this context, Hood Huggers offers walking and driving tours that take visitors through the past and the present of African Americans in Asheville. This initiative won TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award.

Two walking tours cover Eagle Street in downtown Asheville and Burton Street in West Asheville, and the driving tour begins downtown and visits different neighborhoods throughout the city. These Asheville tours cover the history of these communities, current projects, and visions for the future. They are aimed at visitors and locals alike. 

If you take these tours, you’ll learn about the history of Asheville, but you’ll also be supporting the economic development of Asheville’s African American communities and businesses. A portion of all proceeds through Hood Huggers International are reinvested in the community.

8. Get a Sugar High at French Broad Chocolate Company

French Broad Chocolate is one of Asheville’s favorite chocolate shops. Locals and visitors love stopping by the iconic blue building of the French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Pack Square and getting something sweet, from housemade bonbons and ice cream to cookies, cakes, and brownies, and a delicious selection of drinking chocolates.

All of the chocolate is made in their chocolate factory, and they offer a fantastic Bean to Bars Chocolate Factory Tour that covers an introduction to a cocoa farm, the company’s story, and an overview of the process of transforming cocoa beans into a chocolate bar. In addition, there are tastings of cacao in its different forms, including, of course, bonbons! 

French Broad Chocolate also offers tastings, so please check their calendar to see if you can catch one of them. This is an excellent tour for kids. I did it with mine years ago. Children under 7 don’t have to pay for a ticket.

9. Explore the River’s Arts District’s Shops and Art Galleries

There are about 200 studios in the 23 former industrial buildings along this one-mile stretch of the French Broad River called the River’s Arts District (RAD). There are different ways to explore this area, which is also home to excellent restaurants, cafés, and breweries. 

Each Saturday, Mountain Mural Tours offers a popular street art tour that departs from the River’s Art District but also includes downtown and West Asheville. You’ll learn about Asheville’s history while seeing some fantastic local art. Your Instagram account will thank you for that photo of a gigantic Dolly Parton!

Flying Bike Tours ‘ West Asheville River Arts District E-Bike Tour stops at some landmarks, including The Marquee, a design center where you’ll find pieces of art of all kinds, and The Peace Garden, an eclectic, beautiful community garden decorated with works from local artists using repurposed materials.

You’ll also love the free, tip-based walking tour offered by AVL Free Walking Tours and the concept of their photo stroll in the RAD, where you’ll relax while someone else takes care of the pictures in one of Asheville’s most photogenic neighborhoods. 

On the second Saturday of the month , there are special events in the RAD and a free trolley to tour the shops.

10.  Splash Around in One of the Four Oldest Rivers In the World

Some of the best things to do while in Asheville are to spend time outdoors, hike, enjoy the views, and play in the water. Did you know that Asheville’s French Broad River is among the four oldest rivers in the world? 

French Broad Outfitters offers a variety of fun French Broad River floating and kayaking experiences. You’ll love to see Asheville from a different perspective on a warm day and join locals in one of the most beloved Asheville summer activities. They also offer an e-bike Asheville breweries tour and SUP yoga classes.  

Asheville Adventure Company organizes guided whitewater French Broad rafting trips that are family-friendly. Wai Maina Asheville SUP Tours provides stand-up paddleboard tours and experiences that the entire family will love.

Zen Tubing will set you up with everything you’ll need to enjoy your lazy river float along the French Broad River like dozens of locals do on warm days. Of course, you’ll need to bring your bathing suit and sunglasses!

11. Take a Photo Tour to Polish Your Photography Skills (or Get Professional Shots)

Asheville Urban Arts Photo Tours offers professional shots in some of the most beautiful urban settings, including Asheville’s cool murals. There are three tours: Downtown Urban Vibe, the River Arts Tour, and the West Asheville Tour. 

The promise is to take you to “the most Insta-worthy art spots in Asheville.” You’ll receive a full gallery of ready-to-post photos in five days!

WNC Photo Tours provides private photography tours and workshops at the most scenic locations. You’ll learn how to take better photos with your camera or smartphone. Some of their options include photographing elks, a fall color tour, and one-on-one post-procession sessions. They also offer professional photo sessions.

Asheville Photo Tours ‘ excellent offerings cover vistas and waterfalls, private tours customized to your desires, and photographing the fall colors in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you loved your photo tour so much you want to keep learning, they also offer private coaching sessions to work with you to develop your skills and online photo critiques.

12. Walk, Ride, Kayak, or Float to Asheville’s Best Breweries

Asheville (aka Beer City , USA) has more breweries per capita than any other city in the United States. With an average of 28.1 breweries per 100,000 residents and 100 local beers, it’s no wonder this city is a paradise for beer lovers worldwide.

Recognized by National Geographic and TripAdvisor, BREW-ed’s Brewery Tours offers one of the best Asheville brewery tours. These informative, educational walking tours are guided by Cicerone-certified guides. 

These beer experts will take you to some of the best downtown breweries where, besides tasting the local crafts, you’ll learn about the process of making beer and how Asheville’s beer culture has evolved over the years.

Asheville Brews Cruise is Asheville’s original, 16-year-old brewery tour and promises “an ample amount of beer” in its walking and mobile tours. All tours are knowledge-based and include visits to three or four Asheville breweries, tasting samples, lots of information, and fun guides. 

Asheville Adventure Company offers an  E-Bike Brewery Crawl  that combines visits to the most popular breweries, cruising through Asheville’s neighborhoods, and checking out the city’s landmarks. If you are a “go with the flow” type of traveler,  Cedar Rock Adventures ’ Floating Bar Crawl Tour is your best bet!

13.  Eat Your Way through Asheville’s Famous Farm-to-Table Food Scene

Wherever you come from, I’m sure that exploring this city’s food culture is one of the top things on your Asheville to-do list. These tours will make it easier for you to discover the best local experiences. Enjoy!

Asheville Food Tours is the original walking food tour of downtown Asheville, and it covers an impressive list of restaurant partners. A popular tour is The Food Fan, guided by local food influencer Stu Helm and showcasing his favorite restaurants. The Food Fan’s passion for Asheville’s culinary scene is infectious!

Imagine yourself strolling around the forest, gathering edibles, and having them cooked for you at an award-winning restaurant. This experience is possible with No Taste Like Home ’s tours, TripAdvisor’s number one foraging activity in the US and one of the best tours in Asheville. You’ll love this authentic “off-the-eaten-path” Asheville experience!

Another TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner, Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours offers a three-hour, three-rooftop guided bar tour combining some of the best of what makes Asheville irresistible: outstanding food, great drinks, mountain views, and spectacular sunsets. 

14.  Explore the Outdoors With Local Guides

Asheville Hiking Tours offers tours of Asheville’s impressive waterfalls and the best views of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Local guides will take you to their favorite spots while telling you about the local history and environment. 

Are you interested in taking a unique wild foraging tour? Asheville Hiking Tours’ excursions include food foraging as well!

Join Asheville Wellness Tours ’ guides for a healing, resetting forest bathing experience, a hike, yoga, and mountain views adventure, or (my favorite) a yoga class with baby goats! Can you imagine a better Asheville tour? I can’t.

Hike Bike Kayak Asheville ‘s personalized tours will show you why Asheville is a favorite outdoor destination. NCLINE Adventures ’ diverse offerings include elopement ceremonies and hiking/fishing trips for couples with different interests. Hike WNC ‘s private Peak-to-Peak Mountain Top Tour offers some of the best views in North Carolina, and it has now added a Blue Ridge Parkway Jeep Tour.

15.  Tour Asheville’s Iconic Biltmore Estate and Omni Grove Park Inn

Visitors with a daytime ticket to visit the Biltmore Estate or overnight guests can participate in the tours offered by the Biltmore . Some tours are self-guided and included with admission, while others have a fee. 

They offer bike riding, wine and chocolate tasting, and rooftop tours. The interesting Biltmore House Backstairs Tour will give you a glimpse of the lives of the people who worked at the house, taking you to the overlooked domestic areas. 

You can visit The Omni Grove Park Inn for the day at no charge (there might be a parking fee depending on the time of the year) and walk around the garden and the buildings, shop around, have dinner, and get to know the history of the most famous Asheville hotel. 

They offer a 45-minute self-guided tour covering the hotel’s early years, the arts and crafts-style furniture collection, and the visit of famous guests (George Gershwin, Harry Houdini, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and even President Obama have stayed here.). Bring your headphones! 

What are your favorite tours in Asheville? Have you done a fantastic Asheville tour that’s not listed here? Please let us know in the comments!

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Laura Bernhein

Born in Argentina, Laura is a journalist who's lived in Asheville for 10 years. She loves all things Asheville, from the vast business scene to the beautiful nonprofits, magical people, and marvelous nature. She loves being involved in projects that are the change she wants to see in the world.

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Guide To Visiting Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC: the Largest Home in America

I love that the America’s largest home, Biltmore Estate, is located only a few hours drive from our house in Raleigh.

We love to look at beautiful homes and imagine and dream, and the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, is the quintessential fairytale house.

It’s not just a house though. The Biltmore Estate is made up of 8,000 acres of woodland, lakes and ponds, and its sprawling grounds offer a variety of attractions for visitors to enjoy.

From wandering the halls of the Châteauesque-style mansion to sitting on manicured lawns and admiring the NC Mountains in the distance, there are so many things to do at Biltmore Estate.

In this guide, we share everything you need to know about visiting this decadent home and its grounds…

History of The Biltmore Estate

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The Biltmore Estate is fairly close to the Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Mountains, a 5 minute drive from Asheville and only an hour’s drive from the popular town of Lake Lure.

It was owned by George Washington Vanderbilt, the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the shipping and railroad tycoon who turned $100 into $1000 million.

He saw an opportunity with ferry boats in NYC and acted upon it. This lead him to recognize the opportunity in the railroad and become one of the wealthiest men in the world.

So, now you know where George got the money to create such a magnificent home and estate! And he didn’t build just any home, it’s the largest private home in America.

His French Renaissance castle, designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt, was built over a six-year period and completed in 1895.

A few years later, bachelor George meets Edith on a cruise, they later marry and she moves into the home bringing much love and warmth to life at Biltmore.

Sadly, George died early in 1914 of appendicitis. Edith closed down much of the house in order to manage the estate better.

Their daughter, Cornelia, and her husband opened the estate to the public in 1930 to boost tourism in the area during the great depression.

Today, it is still owned by the Vanderbilt, and is run by his great-grandson, Bill Cecil Jr, who is also the CEO of Biltmore Company.

For more than a century, it’s been a place for people to visit and enjoy the hospitality ever since and is still a family business, owned by 4th and 5th generations of Vanderbilt descendants.

The Biltmore Estate is a registered National Historic Landmark and the most visited tourist attraction in North Carolina welcoming over one million visitors a year.

To me, Biltmore Estate is a special place in America to visit .

Not just to experience the grandeur of this beautiful home, but to hear the story of this young, entrepreneurial, loving family who lived life with passion, service and gratitude.

As we wandered through the house listening to the stories of the house and its owners on the audio guide, I couldn’t help but think of the impact travel had on their generous and vibrant spirits.

George and Edith loved to travel and were avid readers. I often wonder if it was this global perspective that lead them to be such generous people and gracious hosts?

They opened up their home, a gigantic one at that, to hundreds of guests. All for the mere purpose of enjoyment.

The home embodies the arts and cultures, things that became dear to George and Edith on their travels.

Their travel helped them to connect to the beauty of nature, which lead to their desire to protect the environment more.

They contributed to the greater community through charity programs and good service. Their intention being to help those help themselves.

It’s this contribution to society and community that makes The Biltmore Estate special, and it continues that theme of celebrating and contribution with regular events throughout the year such as concerts, tea parties, and movies under the stars.

Things To Do At Biltmore Estate

Not only can you tour the 250-room Biltmore House and Gardens, but you can also visit Antler Village and Winery and there are numerous activities on the estate to explore.

Come prepared to spend several hours at Biltmore Estate, you’re going to need all of it!

1. The Biltmore House Audio Tour

How does a 250 room house in the country sound? To George Biltmore it was the ultimate country retreat, a place to create memories and experience joy with family and friends.

To us, it’s a place to imagine and inspire our own dreams of success, contribution and passionate living.

The best way to learn about the house, its owners, and its construction, is through a 90 minute audio tour which guides you through three levels of the home and the basement.

The audio guides are included with your ticket. There are also guided house tours and behind the scenes tours like a rooftop tour you can pay an entrance fee for.

You’ll see displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more that tell stories and illustrate the lives of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees.

Rooms like the entrance hall, winter garden, the banquet hall and dining room, and breakfast room depict what a great home it was for entertaining.

Each room tells a story of gatherings, work, parties and personalities.

You even get to visit George and Edith’s bedrooms and other guests rooms, which are kitted out with original furnishings and artwork.

See Flemish tapestries, opulent fireplaces, oil paintings and sculptures lining the walls of every room.

Top tip: There is a kid version of the audio guide as well. My daughters loved the home and were were engaged with the stories they were listening to. They especially loved the bowling alley and pool that was in the recreation area of the home. Children’s audio guides are a fantastic way to help kids learn and interact in learning experiences.

In the basement level, you gain an insight into life for the workers as you walk through the laundry room, staff quarters and kitchen, a bustling place of activities where stoves roared from 6.00am to midnight, catering to the owners and guests in the house.

The staff were treated with kindness and fairness, and with New York wages, it was quite the desired place to work.

There was no entitlement at Biltmore House. Everyone knew their place and they appreciated the opportunity to work there.

George was a strict boss, but also very kind and caring. He believed that if you expect the highest from people, they’ll rise up to the challenge.

Outside of the Biltmore mansion is the old carriage homes, which have been converted into shops, cafes and places to pick up light bites.

You can shop for souvenirs and find Gilded Age-inspired trinkets, as well as seasonal keepsakes.

From book stores to gardening stores and chocolate shops, there’s a lot of places to pick up something to remember your trip by here.

There are always seasonal events happening at Biltmore, but one of our favorites is a display of artwork by American artist, Dale Chihuly.

We first saw his work back when we visited Biltmore in 2018, but we’re pleased that his artwork made an impression and has been invited back in April 2024.

Just like in 2014, the exhibition will be hosted in the Amherst at Deerpark, but there will also be a large installation at the front of Biltmore House, including his famous Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier which hangs pride of place in the Biltmore Winery.

As you wander outside the Biltmore estate, you can see many of the colorful glass sculptures on exhibit by American artist Dale Chihuly.

The vibrant colors and captivating shapes of his sculptures set alight the historic gardens of Biltmore. You couldn’t find a more spectacular art gallery.

George Vanderbilt recognized the importance of a landscape that nourished the spirit and body.

He chose the perfect setting for his country home and got to work in creating tranquil and stunning gardens to match the marvel of his home.

Leave yourself a couple of hours to stroll acres of formal and informal gardens, which were designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed the gardens for the World’s Fair in Chicago, as well as New York’s Central Park .

As you stroll through the gardens, it’s hard not to imagine what life would have been like as a guest of the Biltmore back during the day and how much the freedom, beauty and fun of the estate helped to nourish your spirit and body.

There are numerous gardens to visit including the walled garden, azalea garden, Italian garden, shrub garden, spring garden conservatory which features a collection of orchids and model train, and a rose garden, which has over 250 varieties.

We visited during spring so the gardens were in full bloom; it was a vastly different experience to our first visit to the Biltmore Estate for the Christmas lights.

The library offers a shaded area of wisteria and trumpet creeper vines to relax with views out over the terrace, which is a large open space originally designed to be a bowling green.

The highlight of this area are the views out over the estate and forest.

I loved learning about George Vanderbilt’s commitment to preserving nature.

He hoped that creating a managed forest, created by forester Gifford Pinchot, on his Biltmore Estate would serve as an example for the rest of the country.⠀⠀⠀

Biltmore Estate land had previously been cleared for farming and timber. They improved the existing woodland by removing poorly formed and damaged trees and reforesting eroded and worn out farmland.

By 1881, he had planted 300 acres with white pine. It was a forestry management plan that would be later adopted by the government.

His wife, Edith sold 86,700 acres of the estate’s forested mountain land, known as Pisgah Forest, to the federal government, creating the first national managed forest east of the Mississippi River.⠀

The Biltmore Estate also has an extensive network of trails, used for horseback rides and hiking adventures.

You can hike the grounds of the estate at your own pace, including taking a walk along the French Broad River, known as the River Stroll Hike, through lush green forests, or the open meadows of Deer Park.

You can also go for 30-minute carriage rides around the Deer Park area, if you want to explore more of this region.

There’s an easy half mile loop short walk out to the Bass Pond and boathouse.⠀⠀

Yes, Biltmore Estate has a winery. In fact, it is the most visited winery in the USA!

The good news is that you get complimentary wine tasting of more than 20 handcrafted wines, many of which are award winning, included in the ticket.

There is complimentary grape juice for the kids as well.

There is an indoor and outdoor wine bar as well should you decide to let those reds linger a little longer.

There are a few restaurants and shops in Antler Hill Village, and live music was playing in the village grassed center area when we visited.

Biltmore continues the legacy of farm to table that has been a part of the estate since its beginning. The herbs, fresh salad greens, and berries come straight from our gardens and fields into our kitchens and onto your table.

Other ingredients such as mountain trout, farmstead cheese, and grass-fed beef and pork are sourced from local farmers and producers.

We ate at Village Social , which was casual and decently priced. My mushroom & spring pea risotto was delicious and the service was excellent.

The Barn & Farmyard is a place the kids will love. It features blacksmiths, woodworkers, craft demonstrations and animals such as goats and chickens in the Barnyard. We missed this as it was raining pretty hard the afternoon we visited.

Cedric’s Tavern is another popular place to eat on the Biltmore Estate, with a traditional European-style pub asthetic with wooden furnishings and decor. They have home-cooked meals as well as craft beers and local wines.

For dessert, don’t miss out on a delicious soft serve at The Creamery , an ice cream shop on the estate.

I don’t think you can beat the Inn at Biltmore . It was truly magnificent.

This four-star inn left our family almost breathless when we walked into the grandeur of the hotel foyer and saw the magnificent mountain and valley views that stretched out in front of them.

I just had to grab one of the welcome complimentary glasses of champagne from the winery to appreciate the view with!

Biltmore elegance continues to live on at the Inn on Biltmore. If I was to plan our trip over again, I’d drop a night somewhere else to have one more night at the Biltmore Inn.

One night was simply not enough to enjoy the experience of this four star luxury hotel.

And of course the girls were in heaven. Both of my spoilt travel babies prefer the four and five star life and get disappointed when we often book the three star hotel!!

I felt like part of the Biltmore family enjoying a glass of tea in the library lounge watching the sunset over the valley with views of the Estate’s twinkling lights in the distance.

The service and hospitality at the Inn on Biltmore Estate is exceptional. George and Edith would be very proud.

The rooms were decorated in the elegant Biltmore style and were comfortable.

Of course, the Inn at Biltmore was so popular, that they had to create an additional hotel to meet the demand.

The Village Hotel is that hotel, and it’s just as elegant and opulent as the rest of the estate.

Although the rooms are much more modern than the Loire Valley chateaux inspired rooms of the main mansion, it’s still just as cozy.

Each room comes with private bathrooms, and it’s located in Antler Hill Village, so you’re close to the winery, restaurants and shops.

You can also rent a cottage at Biltmore now if you want a private retreat. They have two self-contained, charming and historic cottages you can rent.

There are so many unique experiences to have at Biltmore Estate, that one day simply isn’t enough to do it all.

You can do everything from clay shooting, watch craft demonstrations, horseback riding, backstage tours of the winery, and even go on a Land Rover expedition across the grounds.

Some other activities you can do include bird watching tours, archery, and even mindfulness walks and yoga.

Be sure to check out the events calendar to see what activities are happening during the time you visit.

• Get there early. You will beat the queues and the crowds.
• Plan in advance so you can visit for special events. Christmas at the Biltmore is spectacular with the lights, and Spring with their incredible floral displays in the gardens are not to be missed.
• Purchase your tickets in advance. With seven or more days advance purchase, you’ll save $10 per ticket.
• Reservations are required for your self-guided visit of Biltmore House on these high volume days. Reserve your entry time online at the same time you purchase your tickets
• Visit during the week to avoid weekend crowds.
• Kids 16 and younger admitted free all summer (through Labor Day)! The rest of the year, kids ages 9 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying parent or guardian.
• Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your Biltmore House entry to allow time to park and catch a shuttle to Biltmore House.
• A car is required for travel between locations on the estate. The estate is huge and distances between some places can be close to 5 miles. Click here for car rentals.
• If you live in the area or may visit a couple of times each year, it may be worth getting an annual pass. Passholders get savings on food, outdoor activities, shopping, guided tours, and wine experiences — including up to 25 percent off bottles of wine. You’d also receive two free tickets each winter to give away and buy discounted admission tickets for family.

You can find admission tickets with an all inclusive lunch on Viator.

There is just so much to enjoy on the Biltmore Estate, it’s worth staying at least one night and make your visit longer than a day. Ideally, two full days should be the minimum.

I really wish we had the time to stay longer as I’d love to experience the hiking trails, Segway tours, horse riding and so many more things that can be done on the estate grounds.

We were able to visit Antler Hill and Winery on the evening of our check in and then visit the Estate the next morning.

This saved us from spending a full day at Biltmore and still allowed us to see everything. It worked well since we were quite short on time.

• Overnight stay packages include estate admission, breakfast, and estate shuttle service for the length of your stay.
• The hotels have complimentary shuttle service to Biltmore House.
• If you are staying at any of the hotels on the Biltmore Estate, you can charge back from the restaurants and ships to your room.

If you don’t want to stay at the hotels on Biltmore Estate, the Biltmore Village is a few square blocks just outside the entrance gates to Biltmore.

My favorite place to stay nearby is Lake Lure. It is an hour drive away, but it might be a great way to add in peace and serenity to your adventures.

Our favorite place to stay in Lake Lure is the Lodge on Lake Lure . There is also the Rambling Bald Resort , which is a popular place to stay.

There are also plenty of hotels in downtown Asheville. We stayed at the Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville. You can read our review of the Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown here .

Biltmore Estate is open all year round from 8.30am until late. Hours of operation depend on the time of year and what you want to see on the estate. Click here to see official hours of operation.

Ticket prices vary depending on the season, but every ticket allows you to come back the next day to access the grounds, art exhibitions and more.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Spring (Mar 25–May 23) – prices from $80
• Summer (May 24–Sep 2) – prices from $80
• Fall (Sep 3–Nov 1) – prices from $80
• Winter (Jan 8–Mar 24) – prices from $70
• Christmas (Nov 2–Jan 5, 2025) – prices from $110

Note that prices do not include additional activities and these are sold separately.

Need more inspiration for things to do near the Biltmore Estate North Carolina? Here are some helpful guides for places nearby…

• Things to Do in Lake Lure
• Grandfather Mountain & Linville Falls: A Day Trip On The Blue Ridge Parkway
• Climb the 499 steps to Chimney Rock for amazing views
• A Cades Cove bike ride in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – we saw bears!
• Visiting Asheville with Kids
• Top Places to Go in the North Carolina Mountains
• Best Things to Do in North Carolina
• Best Road Trips in the USA
• A Guide to the River Arts District, Asheville NC (Why, What, and How)
• Things to Do in Downtown Asheville, NC

Have you been to Biltmore House in Asheville North Carolina? Let us know what you thought in the comments.

Asheville Food Bites: Cookie shop closing, restaurant relocates, chef dinner series, more

ASHEVILLE - A local cookie shop to permanently close; an Asheville deli moves to Swannanoa; a speakeasy-style handcrafted cocktail lounge to host a 10th-anniversary dance party; and a local restaurateur rolls out a new dining series at a chic hotel in River Arts District.

Cookie shop closure

On May 4, Morsel Coo k ie Co. , which specializes in thick, “ooey-gooey” cookies, will permanently close at 5 p.m. at 175 Weaverville Highway, Suite D.

The announcement was made on the bakery’s social media on April 20 and stated:

“After 3 1/2 years, we cannot thank you all enough for the ongoing support of our tiny cookie operation. It has been a beautiful and rewarding journey that could not have happened without you all and your love of local sweet treats. We also want to thank the friends, family, and staff that got this operation off the ground and kept the gears going this whole time. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

According to the post, owner Caroline Dockery, who introduced the business in 2020, “will be moving into a new chapter of her baking career.”

In Nov. 2022, Morsel Cookie opened a location at 45 Rankin St. that closed last August.

For more, visit morselcookie.company and follow @morsel_cookieco .

Restaurant relocation

Zella’s Deli has completed its move from downtown Asheville to Swannanoa.

As of April 22, diners must visit the restaurant at 2372 US 70 ― the former home of Loott House ― for one of Zella’s Deli’s New York-inspired classic pastrami on rye sandwiches or meatball subs.

Hours for the new location are 11 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday.

A message from Zella’s Deli’s team posted on its website states that the former downtown deli space, 48 College St., will be used as an extension of Imperial, the second-floor cocktail bar and mezcaleria.

The dining room will be converted into a taproom with cocktails, beer, wine and spirits on draft and food options.

For updates, visit zellasdeli.com and follow on Instagram @zellasdeli .

The Crow & Quill cocktail party

The Crow & Quill will host a 10th anniversary party at the downtown cocktail and whiskey bar, 106 N. Lexington Ave.

The celebration is scheduled for 7-11 p.m. April 28 and will include free food, drink specials, dancing, music by DJ Dr. Filth and more.

Admission is on a sliding scale of $5-10. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

For more, visit thecrowandquill.com and follow @crowandquill .

Dinner with Chef Jacob Sessoms and friends

Chef Jacob Sessoms, the two-time James Beard nominated restaurateur, has announced a new, recurring dinner series called Jacob & Friends at The Radical, the new River Arts District boutique hotel, 95 Roberts St.

Jacob & Friends will launch at 6 p.m. May 6 inside Golden Hour, one of the three food and beverage concepts designed by the chef.

Sessoms will present a curated menu of fresh, locally sourced ingredients ― to be determined based on the availability of the items from local markets and farmers ahead of the event ― and in collaboration with special guests from Western North Carolina’s food and beverage industry.

On May 6, Anna Raymond of Counter Culture Coffee will join Sessoms for an Ethiopian coffee and dessert pairing, and Mike Tiano of Haw River Wine Man will share wines from his April trip to Italy.

The cost is $195 per person, which includes a wine and beverage pairing. Seats are limited. Reserve a seat by emailing [email protected] .

For more, visit theradicalavl.com and @theradicalhotelavl .

Stories you may have missed:

• New rooftop Italian cucina makes grand debut in downtown Asheville
• Crow & Quill, Green Sage may be the beginning of local service industry union movement
• Tour Asheville River Arts District's new restaurants, bars at The Radical

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times .

Earth Day is here!

The Sustainability Department invites you to join in the fun of making a cleaner, greener Asheville at home, at work, and in our community. Keep reading to find ways to get involved and have a positive impact, while enjoying the outdoors and our community. Earth Day is today, but if it snuck up on you there’s a whole nine days left in Earth Month to have fun with earth-focused events!

• Tag in with Bountiful Cities to attend a workshop or to get your hands in the soil at a community garden workday. Find more details on their calendar !!
• Sign up for notifications about the Electrify Asheville Buncombe initiative that will help you save money while reducing your carbon footprint. 
• Review and take action on energy saving ideas for your home today! Check out this awesome Green Built Alliance resource for inspiration and information about putting Inflation Reduction Act incentives to work in your household! 
• Get better acquainted with the critters in our streams (Macroinvertebrates are cool!).  This family fun stream exploration guide can take your adventures to the next level of exploration and appreciation. Or take a look at the WaterRICH guide to up your water stewardship game.
• Step out for the 3rd annual “ Taste it Don’t Waste it ” chef’s challenge where local celebrity chefs will share creative dishes made from foods we might otherwise throw away. Vote for your favorite bites! More information and event details are on the Food Waste Solutions WNC webpage . 

There are many ways to reduce waste, like buying the right amount of food or using reusable bags, and when we do make trash, let’s commit to putting it where it belongs to preserve and protect our environment and natural resources. Learn more about backyard composting and local food scraps drop-offs , recycling opportunities , or take a virtual tour at Curbie’s recycling Center and do your part this Earth Month!