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.

Learning the Hot Spots in Asheville by Trolly

Are you new to the town of Asheville, North Carolina? I was once. And for some time I know nothing about the area I lived in. However, I learned of a great way to learn about downtown and it’s cool places to hang out by taking Asheville North Carolina trolly tours.

I had been in town for a few months and I decided it was about high time I learned about the city I lived in. So, I decided to take a sightseeing tour with the local trolly company.

I went to a centralized downtown location to get on the trolly. It was all ready mostly full of people who were from out of town who seemed to be excited about the North Carolina historic trolley tours and what looked like a few people similar to myself who were trying to learn a bit more about their new environment. Naturally I sat next to a couple of people who appeared o be there for the same reason.

As our tour began, the driver began to point out different sites. Most of which had historic significance. The first of which was the S&W Cafeteria, one the the arenas most sticking pieces of architecture from the Art-Deco era. Come to find out Asheville has one of the largest collections of original art-deco building. Continuing down the road we came to Pack Place and the Vance Monument. As an example of stunning architecture, Pack Place failed me. However, it is surrounded by a few other awesome buildings. Pack Place is a museum with some pretty cool displays. Of course, for me my interests lie in the restaurants that were nearby and and cafes and pubs that were right down the street.

Taking a wide turn around the monument, our trolly tour continues as we pulled into Renaissance hotel of Asheville. Here we all got out for a few moments and walked over to the Thomas Wolfe house. Here was another example of Asheville's rich history but for me I was ready to go. I wanted to see more clubs, pubs, cafes, and places to eat.

After about 5 minutes we loaded back onto the trolly and headed down the road. Moments after being seated we were on Lexington avenue. Here is where I experienced the mother load. There are several clubs, restaurants, and cafes on this street. Bobo’s Gallery, Broadways, Emerald lounge, Mela, Bouchon, and so much more. This looked like it was going to be my new favorite part of town.

As we continued on Lexington we passed the beautiful Haywood Park Hotel. The hotel is at a small epi-center of Asheville. With quaint shoppes in every building this was a vacationers dream come true. I'm sure those who were on the trolly vacation tour were getting their monies worth.

Containing our trolly sightseeing tour we traveled to the River Arts District of Asheville. Here there were several artists studios and galleries almost all of which we were able to walk into and talk with the artisan and view and purchase pieces of art. There was quite a wide range of arts to be seen I must say. There were potters, wood worker, metal smiths and much more. My personal favorite where the 12’ metal sculptures that looked like musical instruments that where meant to be sat in.

Finishing up with our event trolly tour I feel I had gain a good understanding of the arts and history of Asheville but it also served me with a greater purpose. I learned where several good places to eat and hangout were. So, I suggests to anyone new to the are to check out any event trolly charter in Asheville, it will be well worth your time.

Gray Line Asheville's Trolley Charters

Taking the Gray Line Asheville Trolley Tour is one of the best ways to get to know the city that everyone is making plans to visit. This guided tour runs to all the hottest destinations in Asheville, North Carolina including Pack Place, the historic Montford neighborhood and The Asheville River Arts District. With unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges, it’s the only form of ground transportation in Asheville worth considering. No parking hassles, traffic issues or getting lost…you get just to kick back and enjoy everything this amazing mountain town has to share.

Asheville, NC has become known as a cultural mecca, drawing travelers “in the know” for several years now. Quickly becoming hailed as one of the creative centers of the southeast and indeed the nation, Asheville offers something for every personality and walk of life. The famous art deco architecture of downtown set against the backdrop of the ancient and beautiful Appalachian Mountains is truly a sight to take in. The inhabitants of the town and surrounding area are as eclectic as the studios, art galleries, independent restaurants and shops that line Asheville’s streets and avenues.

Gray Line Asheville is the perfect way to organize a summer party or gathering of friends of any kind. Keeping everyone on the same page is easy, as the trolley tour of Asheville makes a continuous circuit throughout the day, and unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges means everyone can find their way back to each other, while enjoying some of the best sightseeing in Asheville. A few can hop off at The Haywood Park Hotel and walk around the shops while others explore the galleries and studios in The River Arts District.

Asheville is a dream destination for any group of folks, whether it’s school group, family reunion or just a group of friends getting together to enjoy the summer. The Historic Biltmore Village area is rich with some of the cultural heritage of the city, and blends nicely with the traditional Appalachian feel. Folk art abounds as this area is famous for it. The newly revitalized Asheville River Arts District is now home to some of the most eclectic and skilled contemporary artists in the area.

An excellent way to plan for a group of party-goers is a fun-filled bus tour of Asheville on a Gray Line Trolley. The Renaissance Hotel, The Grove Park Inn, Biltmore Village and Haywood Park Hotel are all destinations along the way on the Gray Line Asheville schedule. Take the whole trip or get on and off at any of the stops all day and enjoy the many restaurants and events taking place throughout the city.

Private trolley charters are a dream come true for any party planner. Sure and easy ground transportation to all the places in town you need to get to including entire downtown Asheville area, with no hassles about finding a place for everyone to park and keeping the group together. It’s a fun and easy way to get people from one spot to the next or anywhere in between.

A complete page of rates, routes and schedules can be found on the web at www.graylineasheville.com. Making arrangements for a charter is easy and hassle-free, and the kind folks at Gray Line Asheville take great pleasure in being a part of your western North Carolina travel experience. For party charters, historic sightseeing in Asheville, and transportation around the city there really is nothing better than a Gray Line Asheville Trolley Tour.

Gray Line Asheville's Trolley Tour: An Artist's Perspective

As an artist, I can understand why people refer to Asheville, North Carolina as a “creative mecca.” The history of the city is rich with artistic and cultural significance, and the community of people who have continued to move there are keeping the spirit alive. From the Asheville Mural Projects huge undertaking on the 240 overpass, to the exciting things happening in the River Arts District, to the new breed of open mic nights and live performing arts venues such as The Courtyard Gallery, Asheville is continuing to prove itself as a diverse cultural haven. My recent return to the Gray Line Asheville Trolley Tour gave me a chance to see all this first hand.

This time my intention was to explore the new creative culture that is blossoming in parts of many different parts of Asheville. As usual the tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and genuinely seemed to enjoy his job. We kept a slow pace through downtown and I was able to admire the amazing architecture in the Pack Place part of town, and the surrounding area. A short walk from the Vance Monument in Pack Square leads to the new Pritchard Park, where the Friday night drum circle and many events throughout the summer now take place. The buildings of College St. and Patton Ave. are beautiful, and added much to my historic tour of Asheville.

My next stop was the historic Biltmore Village neighborhood, where I was able to browse independently owned cafes and boutiques. Art galleries and interesting shops offering local hand crafts abound, and an even mix of tourists and local professionals were out to enjoy the lovely sidewalk cafes.

Perhaps the highlight of my tour from the perspective of a traveling artist was the newly revitalized River Arts District. These old warehouses and factories located along the French Broad River are now being converted into the most eclectic community of artists studios you could possibly want to find. From clay to metal to glass and everything in between, artists and craftspeople of every stripe have moved in to make the Asheville River Arts District one of the most thriving sources of independent art available. The weekend long studio strolls that take place throughout the summer are amazing, and highly recommended. There are even a few live music venues, and a wonderful café to compliment the wide array of workshops and galleries.

A stop at the Haywood Park Hotel offers the opportunity to further enjoy Gray Line’s unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges. A walk towards the newly renovated Grove Arcade offers more wonderful restaurants and shopping, and leads to the Flat Iron Building and Wall Street, which offers a wide variety of local artist studios and independent shops and boutiques. A short stroll from there put me on Haywood St., where independent book stores and shops line the street.

From there a short stroll down Walnut St. took me to one of Asheville's lesser known creative communities in the quaint and hidden courtyard that separates Lexington Avenue from Carolina Lane. A lovely tree filled stone courtyard is surrounded on every side by pillars of the local creative community such as The Courtyard Gallery, Top Floor Studios and Altamont Recording. From there it is a short walk back up Broadway to Pack Place, where the next Gray Line Asheville Trolley will take me away to the next leg of my adventure.

Gray Line Asheville's Historic Trolley Tour: A Review

Have you ever wanted to learn about historic Asheville, NC in a relaxed enjoyable setting? I did, and Gray Line Asheville helped me to make it happen. The group of people I went with was picked up at UNCA in a bus made to look like an old trolley. The historic tour began as we turned on to Lexington Avenue and headed toward Pack Place downtown. En route to our destination, our tour guide pointed out some of Asheville’s famous art-deco architecture, as several buildings still stand from that era. As we drove past the Vance Monument, I could see the reflections of what were once the tallest buildings in the area on the windows of a modern office building. The city of Asheville has a beautiful mix of buildings from different times, nestled in the mountains.

The pace of the evening trolley tour helped me to relax and enjoy a bit of sightseeing as we motored down the road. The River Arts District of Asheville is alive and well, as you can tell by looking around the city. Throughout our tour of Asheville bronze sculptures spotted the streets. The buildings where painted attractive colors, as if to be saying, “come visit,” and their front windows were decorated with creative displays. It is easy to see that Asheville is rich with art, craft and culture by all the examples of sculpture on the streets, the architecture and the overall sense of life and festiveness.

As we continued on with our western North Carolina historic trolley tour we learned about the Vanderbilts, and Biltmore Estate along with Biltmore Village and how much of an integral part the construction of the estate had on the area as a whole. It is interesting to learn that Biltmore Village was built for the workers and now it is a luxury shopping center. Pulling into the Renaissance Hotel’s parking lot we walked a short distance over to The Thomas Wolf Estate. The house of his birth had been restored to its original splendor. As we stood before the historic monument, we were told of Thomas Wolfe’s contributions to literature and to Asheville. When our education about Thomas Wolfe and other past citizens of Asheville was over, we all loaded back onto the trolley and headed back to where we started.

For those who wish to just enjoy the ground transportation around asheville without taking the full tour, you can take good advantage of the hop-on, hop-off privileges that Gray Line Asheville offers. Get off the trolley and spend sometime exploring in detail one of Asheville’s many lovely neighborhoods, art districts or boutique-lined streets and avenues. Then get back on the next trolley that comes by and ride to the next destination to spend a little time.

I had a wonderful time with Gray Line Asheville Historic Trolley Tours. Everyone on the trip had a good time and we all learned about many of the great places in the area to stay such as Grove Park Inn, Haywood Park Hotel, and the Renaissance Hotel Asheville. We also got to experience a taste of Asheville River Arts District and learn about the figures that helped to shape the area’s history. All this, along with sightseeing, made my time with Gray Line Asheville time well spent.

Group Trolley Tours of Asheville, NC

Asheville, North Carolina has become one of the most popular destinations for travelers and tourists from all across the globe. Quickly becoming recognized one of the cultural and creative capitals of the nation, Asheville offers something for every personality and walk of life. The beautiful architecture of the city set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains is truly a sight to behold. The residents of the area are as diverse as the restaurants, boutiques and art galleries that line the city streets.

One of the best ways to get to know the city that everyone is talking about is to take the Gray Line Asheville Trolley Tour. This guided tour runs to all the most attractive destinations in Asheville, including Pack Place, The Grove Park Inn and The Asheville River Arts District. With unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges, it’s the best form of ground transportation in Asheville. No parking, traffic or getting lost…you get just to relax and enjoy everything this lovely mountain town has to offer.

Gray Line Asheville also offers event and wedding charters. This is a great way to entertain a group of people for any occasion such as weddings, corporate retreats and family reunions. No need to coordinate multiple cars, no need to worry about getting separated from the group and no worries about planning a fun event that everyone can enjoy.

Asheville is a dream destination for any group of artists, whether it’s an architecture or painting class, a community art foundation or a writers group. The Historic Biltmore Village area is rich with the cultural history of the city. The up and coming Asheville River Arts District is now home to some of the most eclectic and accomplished artists in the area.

Gray Line Asheville is the perfect way to organize a family reunion or gathering of friends. Keeping everyone together is easy, as the trolley makes a continuous circuit of the best sightseeing in Asheville. With unlimited hop-on and hop-off privileges, folks with different interests can explore different areas of the city without fear of losing track of each other. A few can hop off in pack place and walk around the shops while others explore the beautiful Grove Park Inn.

An excellent day to plan for a corporate retreat is a historic bus tour of Asheville on a Gray Line Trolley. The Renaissance Hotel, Grove Park Inn and Haywood Park Hotel are all stops on the Gray Line Asheville route. Take the whole trip or get on and off at any of the stops all day and plan events and workshops in different parts of the city.

Wedding charters are a dream come true for any wedding planner. Easy ground transportation to all the best places in town including a stop minutes from The St. Lawrence Basilica, with no hassles about finding a place for everyone to park and keeping the group together. It’s a fun and easy way to move everyone from the wedding to the reception or anywhere in between.

A complete listing of rates, routes and schedules can be found at www.graylineasheville.com. Working out arrangements is easy and hassle-free, and the pleasant folks at Gray Line Asheville take great pleasure in being a part of your vacation and travel experience. For sightseeing in Asheville, bus transportation in asheville and a historical perspective on the area, there really is nothing better than a Gray Line Asheville Trolley Tour.