Asheville

Asheville is a liberal, artsy community nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains. It has one of the most impressive collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States, and has been called 'Paris of the South,' 'San Francisco of the East,' and 'America's New Freak Capital.' It's a popular tourist destination with a vibrant arts scene.

Asheville Regional Airport (IATA: AVL) offers jet and commuter service on United, American, and Delta with non-stop flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York City, and Newark. Greyhound Bus serves Asheville at 2 Tunnel Rd, daily 8AM-9PM.

Asheville Redefines Transit (ART) provides bus service throughout the city with 18 routes. Adults $1, seniors & children $0.50 (cash only). Service runs M-F 6:30AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-10PM. Taxi companies include Asheville Taxi Co and Checker Cab.

Asheville has four distinct seasons. Summers are warm with afternoon thunderstorms, average high around 85°F. Fall is popular for leaf-looking, peaking in October. Winters are mild with occasional snow, averaging an inch or two that melts quickly.

Accommodation ranges from budget hostels like Bon Paul and Sharky's ($20 camping, $27 dorm) and Sweet Peas Hostel ($28 bunk) to mid-range inns and luxury resorts. Many bed and breakfasts are in historic homes near downtown. The Omni Grove Park Inn is a famous historic resort with spa and restaurants.

Asheville is known for vegetarian and vegan restaurants. Downtown offers many options: Heiwa Shokudo (Japanese, $8-15), Mela (Indian, $9-17), Laughing Seed (vegetarian, $8-16), Rosetta's Kitchen (vegan, $8-12). For drinks, there are numerous breweries like Asheville Brewing Company, Green Man Brewing, and French Broad Brewery. Beer is available at stores, but liquor by the bottle only at state-run ABC stores. No open containers on the street.

Top attractions include the Biltmore Estate (adults $76-96), with 250 rooms and extensive gardens. The city is known for Art Deco architecture: Battery Park Hotel, Grove Arcade, Jackson Building. Outdoor activities: Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking in Pisgah National Forest, rafting on the French Broad River. There are also many galleries, music venues, and festivals throughout the year.

Area code 828. Free wireless hotspots are available at many downtown locations. US Post Offices are located throughout the city. The main library and various cafes offer free WiFi.

Nearby destinations include Flat Rock (Carl Sandburg Home, Flatrock Playhouse), Waynesville (Folkmoot festival), Brevard (Brevard Music Festival), Hot Springs (Appalachian Trail, resort spa), Chimney Rock Park ($17 entry), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Gorges State Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway provides access to Mount Pisgah, Graveyard Fields, and Craggy Gardens.

From Asheville, explore the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, or head to nearby towns like Black Mountain, Hendersonville, or Boone. The area offers extensive hiking, waterfalls, and scenic drives.