Visiting for the First Time

Are you just visiting Asheville, North Carolina for the first time? Well, if it is there are many sights that are a must see. And, depending on how long you plan to stay you need a way to see them all and you need to learn about the sights to see that aren’t in any of the tourist booklets. The best way to do that is to hang out with the people of the city or another really good way to learn the tucked away sweet spots is to take a ride on the local trolley.

The best to begin your sightseeing tour of the area is to take a ride down the Blue Ridge parkway. If you have come during the winter, your out of luck concerning this attraction because almost the whole winter long the parkway is closed due to ice and snow, however all the other seasons the parkway is open and looking beautiful. Probably, the most popular time of the year to go for a sightseeing cruise is the fall. The fall is also known as the changing of the leaves. The colors are rich with earthen tones, the reds, yellows and oranges are breath taking as ones drives down the curvy mountain ridge road.

Next, before making your way downtown, there are other wonderful places to check out that are just on the outskirts of the downtown area. Another sight that is well worth checking out is the Biltmore village and the Biltmore Estate. The Village is a collection of shops and restaurants that are housed in the original building. That is, the buildings are the same ones that were built during the same time the estate was being built. The houses were built for guests and people who worked at the Biltmore. The Biltmore Estate is basically a castle nestled in mountains. All year long the Biltmore is a sight to see.

After checking out the parkway and Biltmore then I’d suggest to go down to Asheville’s Art’s River district. If you don’t know the area all that well this would be a go time to catch the local trolley. The Asheville area does have a local bus system but it is not the best thing to use if you are trying to catch the sights. The city bus line goes from point A to point B and back again, no razzle dazzle. So, after you have jumped on the trolley head down to the river district and see all the wonderful art studios and galleries. Then while en route to downtown, the trolley driver provides a historical tour of the area, which is always educational.

Another good place to go check out for the first time visitor of Asheville is Pack Place. Located in the heart of downtown, Pack Place is the areas arts and science museum. There are several other wonderful things going on with pack place so it always has something new to see.

While on the city trolley tour the sightseer will get to visit the birth place of the famous local author Thomas Wolfe. As the trolley pulls into the Renaissance Hotel the old house can be seen. A few years back the historic home was burnt down. Thankfully there was enough of it left that restorators were able to completely restore the house to what appears to be its original glory.

For the first time visitor going to these places would give anyone a good feel for the natural wonder and beauty of the area. And a trip on the local trolley tour can really help the sightseer to take in Asheville at a whole other level.