David Thompson is the Digital Communications Manager at Explore Asheville, an avid runner, hiker and lover of all things Asheville.
Communities in Western North Carolina, including ours, are recovering after the devastating floods and aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While our downtown, lodging, and much of our hospitality infrastructure fared well, most areas are still without power and water service, and early stages of recovery are ongoing in parts of our beloved community. The Asheville Regional Airport is open and
From the morning chirps of Carolina wrens and the mighty rush of Looking Glass Falls to the comforting hum of a local coffee shop and the creative buzz of an award-winning kitchen, Explore Asheville’s latest commercial “The Sounds of Always Asheville” (seen above) highlights how the city’s unique sounds contribute to our shared identity. “The feeling of
“Oh my God, it’s Diane Keaton!” Those words were heard around Asheville in 2023, as the Academy Award-winning actress explored the city while shooting her new comedy Summer Camp with co-stars Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard and Eugene Levy. Filming took place in surrounding Western North Carolina, an area steeped in summer camp tradition, and Asheville provided a natural base
Over four days in the spring and fall, LEAF Global Arts hosts a celebration of world music, art, creativity and culture in the backdrop of Black Mountain's beautiful Lake Eden. With a festival atmosphere that includes local vendors, global cuisine, multiple stages of wall-to-wall performances and presenters, LEAF's festivities offer valuable opportunities for global
You’re never too old to enjoy marshmallows toasted over an open flame and shack up with a group of friends in the middle of the woods. That’s the theme of Summer Camp , a comedy filmed in the Asheville area, out in theaters May 31. The star-studded cast—which includes Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard and Eugene Levy—return to a sleepaway camp of their youth, to
A medida que las temperaturas cálidas traen hermosas flores a las montañas Blue Ridge, el calendario de festivales y celebraciones de Asheville también florece. Disfrute de estos coloridos eventos que le ayudarán a dejar atrás el invierno y a sentir de nuevo la primavera. A continuación, un vistazo a los eventos primaverales en Asheville en 2024. Las
Asheville's Black Culture Heritage Trail was unveiled in December 2023, marking a significant milestone in the growing effort to amplify and preserve Affrilachian heritage. The trail includes 14 stops and 20 panels that reach across three historic Black neighborhoods and unearths intimate and fascinating stories of dignity, struggle and resilience. The
Southern Appalachia is a place that prides itself on self-sufficiency and resiliency – an ability to create and sustain using what’s available. The cooking practices that evolved from this mindset – canning, pickling, foraging, preserving – are deeply rooted in our history, shaped by the rugged terrain, limited access to commercial goods and an ingrained culture
Asheville is a runner’s paradise. From urban jogging downtown to the endless forest trails that encompass the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has something to offer runners of any level. Even better, the city offers a plethora of exciting races to test yourself and local running groups that meet often to train and are always excited to add new members. So, before you lace up your
There really is nothing like camp. For generations, the laughter, friendship and memories made at summer camps in Asheville, Western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains have sparked lifelong connections to this special part of the world. The 1995 summer camp classic Heavyweights was filmed in this region, and soon, the Blue Ridge Mountains will once again
