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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Asheville

20 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina

Updated April 30, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Asheville

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Asheville: Off the Beaten Path

Sponsored by Explore Asheville

With bustling food, music, and brewery scenes, Asheville has plenty of attractions—but stick to the downtown area alone, and you’re missing half the fun, at least. Surrounded by national forests, hideaway mountain towns, quirky arts centers, and more, some of Asheville's best spots lie beyond the downtown area. This itinerary will help you navigate America’s weirdest little mountain town like a local as you scale mountaintops, watch artisans at work, ride century-old trolley cars, and get fake-married at a real-live punk bar. Welcome to Asheville.

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Explore Asheville, North Carolina

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Art 5
Architecture 4
History 4
Sculptures 3
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Chef John Fleer at Old North Acres

How Community Makes Appalachian Cuisine Shine in Asheville

It takes a village—or in this case, a chef and a bevy of passionate farmers and producers.
Sponsored by Explore Asheville
Alan Muskat hosts foraging tours in the woods near Asheville.

Podcast: No Taste Like Home

Uncover the edible wonders of Asheville's forests and learn to connect with nature's bounty.
Sponsored by Explore Asheville
An aerial view of the Biltmore’s grounds and gardens.

10 Reasons to Visit Asheville During the Week

Savoring the city’s cultural and culinary offerings with more room to explore.
Sponsored by Explore Asheville
A rainbow of pelmeni.

Meet the Women Behind the Heritage Food Revival

From Ukrainian pelmeni to Appalachian fried fish, these innovators are drawing on generations of culinary wisdom.
by Diana Hubbell

Podcast: American Chestnut Foundation

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
Election cake was meant to be dense, rich, and filling.

Reviving America's Forgotten Boozy, Fruity Election Cake

These cakes helped elections feel like a party.
by Anne Ewbank

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