Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

The seat of Buncombe County, Asheville has a population that exceeds 73,000. When you factor in communities from nearby counties, the combined population rises over 400,000.

The city encompasses approximately 41 square miles and sits at an elevation of 2216 feet. It's roughly 60 miles from Greenville, SC, and 125 miles from Charlotte, NC.

Among Asheville's major industries are tourism, manufacturing, healthcare, and electronics.

Weather

Asheville enjoys four distinct seasons and a relatively temperate climate. Even so, its elevation does leave it cooler than lower-lying regions. Snow and precipitation are common in the winter, and the city's average annual temperature is 56° Fahrenheit, although the mercury rarely goes above the mid-70s, even in July. During the summer, Asheville's locale provides it relief from extreme heat and makes it a much sought-after tourist destination.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Asheville is easily accessible via Interstate 40, which runs east-west, and via Interstate 26, which runs south from the city and will eventually extend into Tennessee. The city also connects to the 469-mile scenic Blue Ridge Parkway at multiple points, offering access to stunning mountain vistas and other regional attractions.

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) lies south of the city off of I-26. It is served by Continental, Delta, Northwest, and US Airways. (www.flyavl.com, 828-684-2226)

Although local air service is convenient, if you're seeking greater affordability or locations, consider Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). (www.gspairport.com, 864-877-7426)

Making Your Way

While downtown Asheville is pedestrian-friendly, and various options are available to deliver you beyond its immediate bounds, you may want to consider a rental car for your own convenience. The surrounding area offers lots to do and see, and it can be useful to have your own transportation and make your own schedule.

That said, local bus service is available (828-253-5691), and a handful of cab companies stand ready to serve as well. In addition, from March through December, a historic trolley operates, providing a tour of the city's major attractions. Tickets allow riders to get on and off the trolley as they wish, accommodating individual excursions and needs (888-667-3600).

News & Views

If you're seeking a broad range of news information, the Asheville Citizen-Times, first published in 1870, is your best bet. If you're on the lookout for a weekly alternative to scope out entertainment, events, and local life, that would be the Mountain Xpress. Additional publications cater to more specific demographics, including gays and lesbians, women, and the university community.

Quirks & Curiosities

While visitors often praise downtown Asheville's architectural diversity and beauty, the mix of significant styles was hardly the result of a concerted civic plan. Instead, the city fell on hard times after the Great Depression and took decades to repay its debts. As a result, money was hard to come by, and few new building projects were implemented, meaning that earlier structures were rarely torn down. The final outcome, luckily enough, is that Asheville's 20th-century woes contributed to its beauty in a completely unanticipated, but much appreciated, way.

Asheville's perception as a health and resort center likely began with the opening of the Sulphur Springs Hotel in 1830. The site, now part of the Malvern Hills neighborhood, began as a place to "take the waters." These days, that impulse towards health has given rise to Asheville's involvement with yoga, holistic medicine, acupuncture, and more.

While the University of North Carolina at Asheville has garnered recognition for its academic programs, not a lot of people know that the campus sits on the site of the Battle of Asheville. This Civil War conflict took place in 1865 and resulted in the turning back of the Union Army by local soldiers.

Getting Your Bearings

When you're not familiar with a city, you feel completely adrift. That's exactly what local visitor centers hope to ward off. They've compiled a vast collection of resources to help you better understand a particular city, and they're more than eager to share their time, hints, and literature.

The CVB is located downtown in the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce building (exit 4C from I-240):

Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau
36 Montford Ave
Asheville, NC 28802
828-258-6102 (p)
828-254-6054 (f)
www.exploreasheville.com
ashevillecvb@exploreasheville.com
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

Necessities - Post Offices

It's usually not too difficult to spot a drop box when you're out and about, but if you need to conduct more serious postal business, it's not always that easy. Information for Asheville's downtown branch is as follows:

33 Coxe Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
828-271-6428 (p)
828-271-6423 (f)
www.usps.com
Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).