Asheville, North Carolina, is a city with a very interesting background dating back to pre-Civil War times. Previously a Cherokee nation, European settlers first appeared in Asheville in 1784. In the 1900s, Thomas Wolfe's book "Look Homeward, Angel," brought the city world fame.
Currently, Asheville holds a number of titles, including "Most Vegetarian-Friendly," "Happiest Place for Women," and "New Freak Capital of the U.S." Art and architecture thrive in this city. The city hall is constructed in a classic Art Deco style popular in the 1920s. Visitors to Asheville can spend days visiting buildings of various unique architectural styles. Many historic districts lined with Victorian style houses have been preserved. Asheville is home to the Biltmore Estate built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 1800s. This mansion showcases a Chateauesque architectural style, and is the largest single home in the United States.
Live music is the primary reason tourists come here. Many festivals and live music events take place here. A popular event held in Pritchard Park is the Drum Circle. A blues concert is held at the park each October. Asheville annually holds the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, with many prominent musicians joining the show.
Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, when foliage peaks in the fall both locals and visitors are mesmerized by its beauty. The city is also at the confluence of French Board and Swannanoa Rivers. Because of this, Asheville is a whitewater sports recreation center of the southeastern United States. Many kayaking companies have their headquarters in this city.
Film festivals are another major attraction in Asheville. With many Hollywood blockbusters filmed here, Asheville is slowly becoming a film mecca of the south. Film festivals are held in the city, with numerous celebrities making appearances.
Asheville has the only Sudbury School in the southeast. Here, students are taught with a democratic approach, de-emphasizing traditional classrooms. Evergreen Community Charter School is named the most environmentally responsible school in the nation. This school utilizes the Outward Bound approach, where students spend time learning in the outdoors.
This unique city is one of a kind in the southeast. Both visitors and residents have a variety of things to see and try while in Asheville.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
