Featured Sounds in “The Sounds of Always Asheville”
As seen in the video's opening seconds, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known as America’s Favorite Scenic Drive. There are four main entrances to the Parkway, giving you access to a breathtaking drive and some of the best hiking in the nation, including an epic view of Looking Glass Rock (featured at 0:04) and a short walk to hear the eternal roar of Looking Glass Falls (0:09). If you have a furry friend making the journey with you (like the puppy panting at 0:08), they’re in luck — Asheville is paradise for pets.
Hear the fabulous espresso hiss at one of Mother’s two locations on the South Slope in Downtown Asheville or the River Arts District for delicious coffee and an incredible breakfast or lunch. This bakery/wine shop/café serves homemade sourdoughs, naturally-produced wines, delicious coffee and a full café menu.
Enjoy a refreshing craft beer on the spacious outdoor patio at New Belgium Brewing as you listen to the flow of the ancient French Broad River and the sounds of the Wilma Dykeman Greenway below. Rent a bike or walk on the Greenway as you enjoy our beautiful weather and the sounds of the nearby flowing river.
There’s nothing quite like the experience of walking through Biltmore House, America’s largest home. Tour the home, go horseback riding on extensive trails or find yourself on a peaceful pond, casting a line as you fish for bass with the historic house in the backdrop.
The newly opened hotel is housed in Asheville’s historic Flat Iron Building and offers a Prohibition-themed stay in Downtown Asheville. The Flat Iron houses one of Asheville’s hottest new restaurants in Luminosa, and its rooftop bar has one of the best sunset views in the city. There’s also a hidden speakeasy. Shhh! You didn’t hear that from us!
A tradition as fun and eclectic as Asheville, the drum circle in downtown Pritchard Park takes shape every Friday night in the rounded outdoor amphitheater as people join together to play thundering sounds on the drum or dance to the hypnotic beat. You can either watch or join in. Everyone is welcome!
Located at the popular Pink Dog Creative Studio, home to 33 working artists, GRIND Coffee Bar, West Wood Fired Pizza and Vivian Restaurant in the River Arts District, Lunadendron is run by weaver and local fiber artist Emelie Weber Wade, who uses eco-friendly materials to create one-of-a-kind, handmade wearable art!
The sounds of a talented violinist are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Asheville's prodigious busker scene. You could hear anything as you walk the sidewalks in downtown Asheville, from eclectic jazz, folk, traditional bluegrass and even the occasional didgeridoo.
Located in the historic Citizen Times building in downtown, Citizen Vinyl is a communal space housing a record press facility, café, bar, recording studio and a analog art and record store. It's a great place to sift through records while sipping on a craft cocktail, and has also become one of the best spots in the city for intimate musical performances.
A James Beard semifinalist in 2020, Cultura uses old-world techniques and Appalachian culinary traditions to create an authentic menu that celebrates local cuisine and the art of preservation. The beautiful interior includes décor featuring living plants, edible mushrooms, fresh herbs and wooden foeder barrel booths. It’s an Instagram-worthy meal!
Enjoy an after or before-dinner cocktail (or both!) on the rooftop of The Restoration Hotel in downtown Asheville as you gaze off in the distance at the Blue Ridge Mountains or below at the bustling activities of Asheville.
Neng Jr’s award-winning chef, Silver Iocovozzi, may make a brief cameo in this video, but his restaurant, along with co-owner and partner Cherry Iocovozzi, has made a huge splash in the food scene since opening in the summer of 2022. Neng Jr’s Filipinx cuisine was featured in Bon Appetit and the New York Times, and was named a Best New Restaurant by Eaters Carolina and Esquire, in addition to snagging a 2023 James Beard finalist nod.
Asheville has many fantastic music venues; one that must be experienced is a show at the Orange Peel. Named as one of the “Top Five Rock Clubs in the Country” by Rolling Stone magazine, the Orange Peel has almost nightly offerings for all tastes.
The chirping songs of native birds in the morning and the gentle sounds of the wind are the perfect primer for an unforgettable day of outdoor adventures in and around Asheville. Use this excellent Hike Finder to filter your search results by difficulty, length and distance from downtown Asheville — then choose whether you want to see waterfalls, wildflowers or beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views. Still can't decide? Check out our Asheville Hiking Guide for lists of the top local hiking trails by experience.
