Asheville, NC: The Coolest Town You've Not Visited | ShermansTravel (2024)

FAQs

What is the most hipster town in North Carolina? ›

If you've been to Asheville, you get it. Flanked by the mountains and filled with a community of hippies and hipsters, this North Carolina town is all about culture, local food, art, yoga, music, nature, and beer -- the good stuff in life.

I've lived in Asheville for the past 6+ years yet still find myself pleasantly surprised by this progressive and artsy city. Nestled between the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains, Asheville is best known for outdoor recreation, hospitality, artsy residents and a robust music scene.

This thriving mountain city features a funky and eclectic downtown, 30-plus art galleries downtown alone, a burgeoning culinary scene, a thriving live music scene and, of course, the awe-inspiring scenery of the Appalachian Mountains.

In the 1860 U.S. Census a mere 502 residents lived in Asheville. Fast forward a century to 1960, and the population had swelled to 60,000 residents. Now, cue the nationwide hippie movement. It began in San Francisco in the mid 1960s and quickly swept to other parts of the nation, including Asheville.

In North Carolina, they are naming Asheville as the most hippie town in the state. Think about it, Asheville. I am sure we could have all seen this one coming.

West Asheville: Haywood Corridor

Just across the French Broad River from downtown is Asheville's hippest neighborhood: West Asheville. At its heart is Haywood Road, lined with locally-owned businesses like funky vintage shops, eclectic boutiques, an independent record shop, and unusual eateries.

Before the construction of the Biltmore Estate in 1895, Asheville got its first boost when a road from Tennessee opened back in 1828. This route paved the way for more trade and an influx of people who were drawn to the purported health benefits of the mountain air and lush landscape.

If you enjoy folk music, local art, and craft breweries, you'll be surrounded by that living in Asheville. If you want to live in a big city where you can find anything and everything, have easy access to an international airport for travel, and can really see your paycheck go a long way, Charlotte may be a better fit.

Asheville is a little warmer than Charlotte in the winter. The temperature in Asheville is usually 44°F (7°C) in January, and Charlotte stays around 42°F (6°C).

Low wages, corporate landlords, lack of rent control, high prices, brutal traffic, the fake homeless, street crime and white collar crime have all combined to make Asheville an increasingly undesirable place in which to call home.

What food is Asheville known for? ›

Cornbread and beans. Country ham and wild ramps. Apple butter and sorghum. The humble cuisine of the Mountain South offers spoonfuls of heart, soul—and flavor.

The scenic terrain is a big draw for anyone looking to explore the variety of national forests and parks. Temperate Climate: Temperatures range from the mid 20's in winter to the mid 80's in summer. Asheville has a 4-season climate, but it's very mild! Not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter.

Asheville is a great town with great people and a great environment. With many things to do like hiking, exploring nature, eating out, or simply having fun, Asheville has it all. The diversity of Asheville is extremely welcoming. People from all over the world come to visit Asheville, and with great reason!

In the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, which is an annual census of people experiencing homelessness, we identified 573 people without housing. Most people (402) were in emergency shelter or transitional housing programs, but 171 were unsheltered, meaning camping, sleeping in cars, or otherwise on the street.

Princeville, is the only incorporated “all black” town in North Carolina. It is a suburb lying on the east side of the river and most of its inhabitants work in nearby Tarboro.

EUGENE, US

The US has no shortage of hippie towns, but Eugene, Oregon might just be the hippiest of them all. The town's flower-power vibe is due in large part to a citizen named Ken Kesey, an essayist, novelist and counterculture figure of the 1960s who helped attract like-minded people.

Haight Ashbury is a thriving San Francisco neighborhood where cultures and eras meld together. Made famous by the hippie movement in the 1960's, Haight Ashbury was once the home to revolutionaries, famous singers (including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin) and cult leaders.

Black Mountain is famous for its Southern Appalachian arts and crafts scene, and Black Mountain to Asheville is only about 20+ minutes away. This town sits slightly east of AVL. You won't find a shortage of things to do in Black Mountain, including strolling historic downtown for endless shops.

What is the black area of Asheville NC? ›

Following the Civil War, blacks formed their own communities in Asheville, especially in the area known as “The Block,” located in the east end of downtown—on Eagle Street, and Market Street. To this day, The Block continues to be a vibrant place for black-owned businesses and community resources.

“Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, is the most beautiful building in the U.S. and the third most beautiful in the world.”

The per capita income in Asheville in 2018 was $37,392, which is wealthy relative to North Carolina, and upper middle income relative to the rest of the US. This equates to an annual income of $149,568 for a family of four. However, Asheville contains both very wealthy and poor people as well.

The best times to visit Asheville are from March to May and September to early November, when temperatures hover between the upper 50s and the mid-70s – ideal weather for exploring the blooms in spring and the foliage in the fall.

Boone is a smaller town - dominated by the university. Asheville is larger and has more "city" amenities. Both have lovely views, but the mountains around Asheville are a little more gentle. You also have a good airport at Asheville ( is that important?).

Beech Mountain, North Carolina

At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain tops the list as the coolest town in North Carolina and the highest resort area in eastern North America. While it is a popular destination in the summertime, the town is small and doesn't offer the breadth of things to see as in Highlands and Blowing Rock.

Asheville has wide seasonal variation in humidity. The most humid time is from June until September. However, extreme humidity only occurs an average of 15% of the time during these months. July is the most humid month, which has a 58% chance of extreme humidity).

The coldest place in North Carolina is Banner Elk. On average, it can reach an annual low of around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. As for its monthly temperatures, Banner Elk is coldest in January, reaching an average low of 22 degrees.

Is Asheville NC gentrified? ›

Asheville, N.C. Is Gentrifying, But People Have Always Been Drawn To It Asheville, N.C. just ranked 2nd on a realtor.com list of U.S. cities that are gentrifying the fastest. Western North Carolina political science professor Chris Cooper talks about the phenomenon.

Asheville has an eclectic and buzzing nightlife scene.

The Grove Park neighborhood is slightly farther away from downtown but also within walking (or biking) distance. Downtown Asheville is easily walkable, packed full of local shops and restaurants.

Tables dot both floors of the quaint, historic home that is Corner Kitchen, one of several restaurants in the historic Biltmore Village but the only one visited by President Obama.

What Is the Phrase “Keep Asheville Weird” All About? In many ways, “Keep Asheville Weird” is a badge of pride for locals, who see the city as a place where anyone can be whatever they want to be.

Lexington Avenue Has the Biggest Variety of Shops. If you're looking to spend a whole day shopping in downtown Asheville you can't beat Lexington Avenue.

Walk-to-Town Areas like Black Mountain, Weaverville, and Biltmore Park have become incredibly popular in recent years, especially when the home is within walking distance to a town center. Amenity-filled communities like Biltmore Lake.

Asheville Housing Market Trends

In April 2023, Asheville home prices were down 3.9% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $477K. On average, homes in Asheville sell after 45 days on the market compared to 35 days last year. There were 106 homes sold in April this year, down from 132 last year.

One of Asheville's most famous residents these days is the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight. While she was born in Atlanta, Knight calls Fairview home today. She purchased her mountain retreat in 2007. Gladys lives a quiet life here with her husband.

What did the Cherokee call Asheville? ›

For thousands of years, the Cherokee thrived in ᏙᎩᏯᏍᏗ (To Ki Ya Sdi), “the place where they race,” or Asheville, as it is known today.

Asheville is supported by a rich community of artisans, guilds, galleries and craft shops that work to celebrate all types of art including traditional and contemporary works from American and Western North Carolina artists across a variety of mediums.

New law allows drinking in 'social districts,' eases alcohol restrictions in NC. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina counties and cities are now allowed to create their own "social districts," where you can walk around and consume alcoholic drinks in designated outdoor areas.

The City of Asheville does not allow one to walk down the street with an open container of alcohol.

Downtown Asheville, like many cities in America, has long contended with homelessness, panhandling, drugs and common crimes like shoplifting.

Nestled between the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains, Asheville is best known for outdoor recreation, hospitality, artsy residents and a robust music scene.

According to the department's presentation, violent crime increased 17.4% from 2021 to 2022. Violent crime includes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. During the same time period, Asheville saw a 21.8% increase in aggravated assaults.

Ashe County's location in the northwestern corner of North Carolina and its average elevation of 3,000 feet justify the name "the coolest corner of North Carolina," but there is so much more that contributes to this: our breathtaking scenery, our vibrant music and arts community, our special and diverse small towns, ...

While several of the cities ranked in the top half of the list, Raleigh came out on top as the most fun city in North Carolina. The capital even made the Top 25 in the nightlife/parties category.

Where can I escape the heat in North Carolina? ›

The North Carolina Mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylva not only offer a wide array of outdoor adventure options to explore, but they also provide the ideal temperatures to enjoy them comfortably.

Climate Risks for Cities in North Carolina

The city with the lowest overall risk is Greenville. For heat, Asheville has the lowest risk and Charlotte has the highest risk.

So where is NC's most remote spot? So, if you want to get away in North Carolina, the most remote spot is found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Click on the website to find out more. Happy and quiet, peaceful travels!

In North Carolina, you can only get, at most, 5.5 miles from a road, and that precise spot, the most remote spot in the state, is in the Smokies west of Bryson City.

Asheville loves to party, as illustrated by the scores of great pubs, beer gardens, wine bars and upscale co*cktail lounges dotting the city.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the top attraction in North Carolina and a must-visit place during your trip. With over 12 million visitors every year, it's the most visited national park in the US. It's located near several major cities, so it's easily accessible.

What Is North Carolina Known For? North Carolina is known for its arts and culture, being a pioneer in aviation, and beautiful state parks with massive mountains. This southern state features friendly people, delicious food, and charming nature.

Rolesville

The safest city in North Carolina is Rolesville. The city has a population of 10,050 people and is located in Northeastern Wake County, just outside Raleigh. The crime rate in Rolesville is 451 per 100,000, making the crime rate 83% lower than the North Carolina average.

Yes, the northern reaches of NC get a bit colder than the most southerly tip of SC, but the major difference comes from the way the climate differs from the eastern beach regions to the western, more mountainous regions.

Hamlet. The cheapest place to live in North Carolina is Hamlet. Located roughly 45 minutes from Fort Bragg, this small town is great for retirees and anyone interested in a slow-paced lifestyle.