Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
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About This Tour in Asheville
Why Visit Asheville?
Asheville, USA offers a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and activities for visitors. From historic landmarks to modern attractions, Asheville provides an unforgettable travel experience with something to discover around every corner. Explore local cuisine, discover unique culture, and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.
Getting to Asheville
You can reach Asheville, USA by air, train, or road depending on your starting location. From the airport, you can take a taxi, rideshare service (Uber, Lyft), or public transportation to reach the city center. Many hotels also offer shuttle services, and rental cars are widely available for exploring the area.
What's Included
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Cancellation Policy
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
- For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
- Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travelers booked. Enter the same password on each device.
Photo Gallery
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting Point
PauseStart at the Asheville Visitor Center parking lot at 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801. The Visitor Center is on your left as a reference. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses. Audio plays automatically—check your email/text for details.
End Point
Coming up on our leftPickup Information
Pickup Option: All travelers must meet at start point
Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
Pause here 15 minutes
Pause here. To our left is the impressive Basilica of St. Lawrence. This basilica owes its existence to Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino. In the early 1890s, Guastavino was commissioned to work on a vaulted ceiling for the Biltmore house in Asheville. But while here, he decided he loved the place too much to leave! He bought property and set down roots. Note:- The tour is over 2 miles long, with more than 46 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
See that statue depicting three well-dressed women with a dog in tow 15 minutes
See that statue depicting three well-dressed women with a dog in tow? That’s Shopping Daze! This sculpture commemorated Haywood Street’s history as a desirable and unique shopping destination. I think it can also represent Asheville’s ability to bounce back after its lively shopping district was hindered by debt and mall culture.
The ‘Legacy of Design’ sculpture stands up here,... 15 minutes
The ‘Legacy of Design’ sculpture stands up here, depicting a young boy on stilts. This piece was made to honor the inventive architect Richard Sharp Smith. I’ll dive deeper into Smith’s life in a moment, but first, you should know a thing or two about the sculptor of this piece, Dennis Smith.
The bell up here is a replica of... 15 minutes
The bell up here is a replica of the one that used to stand at the east end of Pack square, which rang out during important moments in Asheville’s early history. What kinds of events? Well, how about when the colonies declared their independence from Great Britain!
In 1924 architect Ronald Greene was commissioned to create the Jackson Building 15 minutes
In 1924 architect Ronald Greene was commissioned to create the Jackson Building. It’s the one directly to our right! This was the tallest skyscraper in North Carolina at the time of its construction, and boasts some very unique features.
Do you see that bronze lock of hair,... 15 minutes
Do you see that bronze lock of hair, combs, and pocket watch set into the concrete around this plaque? If you’re a classic literature buff, you might recall what these all have in common. They’re from the famous O. Henry short story “Gift of the Magi”!
To our left stands the amazingly intricate Drhumor Building 15 minutes
To our left stands the amazingly intricate Drhumor Building! Humorously given the nickname of the ‘Dr. Humor building,’ this structure owes its beauty to sculptor Frederick Miles. What many people don’t know is that these carvings might actually be based on real Asheville residents!
Coming up on our left is the Grove Arcade 15 minutes
Coming up on our left is the Grove Arcade. Built by Edwin Grove, this bustling center of commerce stretches over a block and offers just about anything your heart desires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
