Looking for somewhere to enjoy an unforgettable vacation with mountain views, great food and Black Appalachian History? You should add Asheville, NC to your travel plans. Entertainment and related activities abound. Overall, there’s something for almost everyone.
Travel Transportation
Asheville’s history includes travel and tourism from the city’s founding, but there are a few things to know about traveling in and out. Asheville is within driving distance of two South Carolina Amtrak stations on the Crescent route: Spartanburg and Greenville. Car rentals will be necessary and are highly recommended. Asheville (AVL) Airport is 11.6 miles away from the greater Asheville area, and nonstop flight routes are available. Uber and Lyft are accessible at Asheville (AVL) Airport.
Hotels and Lodging
In Asheville, there is a wide selection of boutique hotels and luxury accommodations to choose from when planning your next family vacation to Asheville.
Biltmore House and Estate, which includes a winery, an inn, an arboretum and botanical garden and museum, is a must-see and the epitome of luxury. There are about 16 prime eating opportunities on the estate, which includes cafés, casual and fine dining restaurants, specialty food businesses and unique farm-to-table, locally sourced food experiences.
Rustic luxury and charm describe the Grand Bohemian Hotel (Kessler Collection). Other options are Aloft by Marriott, AC Hotel with the rooftop restaurant that is home to chef Rakim Gaines, The Windsor Boutique Hotel, Kimpton’s Hotel Arras, and The Foundry Hotel Asheville, Curio Collection by Hilton is eco-certified with a number of amenities, including close proximity to Benne on Eagle.
If the comfort of a bed-and-breakfast is desirable, then consider one like the Beaufort House Inn, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Or you can stay at Zen Asheville Spa & Retreat and receive organic spa treatments.
Lastly, there are Cabins & Cottages for two to small groups.
Activities
Asheville is energetic and accommodating to a number of tastes. Do you want to chill? You can, by going fly-fishing or finding a water sport that relaxes you. Enjoy art? There are museums and galleries. Need to keep the littles occupied and engaged? No worries, they’ll have fun and so will you. Want some culture? It’s waiting. Here are some recommendations:
ArborEvenings, June – September, The NC Arboretum @ Pisgah National Forest
You’ll experience some of the best local and regional music, outdoors. Food can be pre-ordered or brought in. The Botanical Gardens at Asheville has classes for kids, including a day of nature investigation.
The Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts, Memorial Day Weekend, features the finest locally made art alongside national artists’ works during this free, outdoor event.
Heritage Events, Tours
GRINDfest 2022/Black Wall Street AVL, May 27, 2022 – May 30, 2022, River Arts Place
A festival celebrating Black business and entrepreneurship with food, music, dancing and vendors.
Juneteenth of Asheville 2022 Freedom Festival, June 17, 2022
Shindig on the Green Music and Dance Festival, Saturdays from late June through early September, Pack Square Park
Annual Mountain Dance & Folk Festival, July 21-23, Wortham Performing Arts Center
Jazz saxophonist Marcus Anderson, who toured with Prince’s New Power Generation will host a Jazz and Coffee Escape at the Wortham Performing Arts Center, August 5-6
7th Annual LEAF Downtown AVL August 19-20, 2022, Multicultural Arts & Entertainment Event
Goombay Festival, Asheville, September 2-4, YMI Cultural Center
Asheville’s festival life is plentiful and diverse. You can find even more than the ones listed HERE.
Explore Asheville by taking a tour. Asheville’s African-American History Tours by Hood Tours traverses the historic Black district known as “The Block.” Gray Line Asheville offers trolley tours such as the “See + Do” Tour that enables you to hop off, sightsee and hop back on, the Ghost Tour/Haunted History & Murder Mystery excursion, and the Christmas Tour in Biltmore Village. You and your family can also take the self-guided James Vester Miller Trail tour through Asheville’s “East End,” the African-American neighborhood closest to Asheville’s Pack Square in downtown. Walk through the area to see the historic buildings by African American master brick mason James Vester Miller, including some genuinely stunning churches.
Asheville is an event. There’s so much going on, all year. Visit HERE and scroll down to anything that interests you.
Hours and services may be impacted by COVID-19. Please visit the links associated with each to learn more about their current hours of operations, current offerings, and policies.
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Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and a public historian and researcher focusing on Black culinary traditions and foodways.
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