When it comes to visiting Asheville, N.C., Biltmore Estate inevitably receives top billing. Still, the city has a wealth of other entertaining and creative attractions, thanks to its eclectic and burgeoning arts scene.
LaZoom Tours
While carting tourists through the historic streets of Asheville, LaZoom Tours not only turns the typical such jaunt on its ear, but gives it a wet willie. The LaZoom City Comedy Tour, offered afternoons and evenings for ages 13 and older, features wacky characters as hosts of the proceedings. From the zany Augusta Wind to a bearded nun, they dispense Asheville facts while going straight for the funny bone with jokes, jabs and skits. The 90-minute tour includes a 10-minute break at the Thirsty Monk pub.
Things get comically spooky on the hourlong Haunted Comedy Tour as costumed guides such as Thomas Wolfeman and Helena Handbasket scare up stories for ages 17 and older. Guests 21 and older are welcome to bring beer and wine on board for these tours.
LaZoom’s Band & Beer Bus Tour, however, is strictly for the 21 and older set. Live music rocks the bus, and it makes pit stops at a trio of area breweries.
$21-$29 per person. 14 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, N.C. 828-225-6932, lazoomtours.com.
Western Carolina Nature Center
Although it has the feel of an intimate zoo, the 42-acre nature center is an animal sanctuary. The staff says it is one of the largest collections of Southern Appalachian animal species on the planet, including red foxes, wolves, otters, owls, black bears, cougars and bobcats. Although most of the experience takes place outdoors, with guests trekking along trails winding through the woods, the indoor Appalachian Station serves as home to several types of reptiles. This includes a timber rattlesnake and northern copperhead. Younger visitors have several ways to get both active and interactive. A slide can be found near the otter habitat, a spider-themed climbing structure is located along the trail, and a petting zoo lets guests get up close with animals, including a Sicilian donkey.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $10.95, $6.95 ages 3-15, $9.95 seniors 65 and older, free ages 2 and younger. Discounts available for Asheville city residents. 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, N.C. 828-259-8080, wncnaturecenter.com.
Offbeat attractions
Film geeks have a haven at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. (675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, N.C. 828-254-1281, ashevillebrewing.com). Scarf down pizza, burgers and more under the watchful gaze of "Star Wars" characters such as Han and Chewie, immortalized on wall murals. Images of Holly Hunter's and Nicholas Cage's characters from "Raising Arizona" stand guard at the doors of the women's and men's rooms. An additional, massive dining room features a huge projection screen for sporting events and other special broadcasts. A collection of arcade games buzzes in the background. The in-house, dine-in movie theater showcases cinematic faves.
In the digital age, we don't tilt toward pinball machines as much as we used to. However, they're the star attraction at the Asheville Pinball Museum (1 Battle Square, Asheville, N.C. 828-776-5671, ashevillepinball.com). For $13 ($10 for those age 10 and younger) you can hit the flippers as long as you like. The place has more than 30 machines, including Hercules, the largest pinball game ever made. The 7-foot-tall creation actually uses a pool ball. Addams Family, Haunted House and Black Hole join a host of other popular plays. The museum dedicates its back room to 20 classic arcade games. Centipede, Tempest, Joust, Asteroids, Ms. Pac Man and other 1980s relics bleep and bloop as they did in their prime.
Tired of bar hopping? The Amazing Pubcycle (amazingpubcycle.com) offers a tour of downtown Asheville powered by guests. The 13-seat mobile bar invites you to climb aboard, bring your own beer and wine, and tip back while pedaling through the streets. A tour driver oversees the adventure, which typically is available beginning at 4 or 5 p.m., running until midnight during the week. Tours run noon to midnight on weekends. A 40-minute ride costs $13 per person, while a 90-minute excursion runs $23 per person. Ages 5 and older can ride.
Shopping and dining
Asheville has lots of retail and dining options. The staff at Tupelo Honey Cafe (12 College St. Asheville, N.C. 828-255-4863, tupelohoneycafe.com) lovingly refers to its downtown location as "the mothership." That's where Southern-inspired delights such as fried green tomatoes and fried chicken regularly roll out of the kitchen.
The White Duck Taco Shop (1 Roberts St., Asheville, N.C. 828-258-1660, whiteducktacoshop.com) offers an ever-changing roster of tacos. Stop in and you might find banh mi tofu, jerk chicken and Bangkok shrimp tacos on the menu.
Vegans have a foodie refuge at Plant (165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, N.C. 828-258-7500, plantisfood.com). Pasta, tofu, veggies and imaginative salads are among the offerings.
Music lovers may want to visit Harvest Records (415 Haywood Road, Asheville, N.C. 828-258-2999, harvest-records.com). The acclaimed vinyl and CD retailer, which also sells turntables and accessories, has a small stage for in-store performances.
An old Woolworth store has been transformed into an art gallery dubbed Woolworth Walk (25 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. 828-254-9234, woolworthwalk.com). You'll find paintings, photography, jewelry and pottery created by area artists.
The Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar (Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Asheville, N.C. 828-252-0020, batteryparkbookexchange.com) has 2,000 square feet packed with thousands of new and used books. Peruse the tomes while indulging in a glass of wine or champagne. Even pets are welcome.
