Asheville, North Carolina

• Asheville is a small city in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. It has a lot of craft breweries, art studios and farm-to-table restaurants, and it's the base for hiking and drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Downtown is compact enough to cover on foot, and the arts-and-outdoors crowd makes it an easy place to get around alone.
• Eating alone is normal here. Bar seats, communal tables and coffee shop counters are usually full of people on their own, and staff don't think twice about it. English is the local language, and the general attitude toward women, LGBTQ+ travelers and visitors of all backgrounds is relaxed and accepting.
• Violent crime against visitors is uncommon in the main tourist areas. The usual problems are car break-ins, stolen unattended belongings, and some street drug use and panhandling downtown, mostly around the edges of the core. Keep valuables out of parked cars and stick to lit, busy streets after dark.
• The city is hilly and spread out, and public transit is limited, so you'll usually need a car or rideshare to get beyond downtown. If you hike alone, tell someone your route, carry water and expect weak or no cell signal on many trails.

English is the main language, and Spanish is also widely understood. Call 911 for any emergency and the dispatcher will connect you to police, fire or ambulance. Phone interpreters are available if you need one. Use (828) 252-1110 to reach Asheville police for non-urgent matters, such as reporting a theft after the fact.

• The tone is casual. Jeans, hiking gear and layers are fine almost everywhere, including nicer restaurants. Mountain weather changes fast, so pack a rain layer.
• Tipping is expected in the United States: about 18-20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a dollar or two per drink at a bar. Menu prices don't include tax or tip.
• Asheville is progressive and LGBTQ+-friendly, with a strong arts, music and wellness scene. Chatting with strangers at a bar, taproom or open mic is normal and usually friendly.
• Attitudes in town are open-minded, but some of the surrounding rural areas are more conservative. If you drive out into the mountains, expect slower, more traditional small-town norms.
• Breweries and taprooms are central to social life, and many allow dogs and are fine with people on their own. Last call in North Carolina is 2 am, though most places close earlier.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Downtown, South Slope, Biltmore Village and Haywood Road in West Asheville are each walkable on their own. The hills are steep, though, and the distances between neighborhoods are longer than they look on a map, so wear comfortable shoes.
• Asheville Rides Transit (ART) runs city buses on a handful of routes with low fares. Service is infrequent and stops early in the evening, so it's only useful for daytime trips.
• Uber and Lyft operate in the city, but there are fewer drivers than in larger cities. Waits can be long late at night and at the airport. Arrange airport transfers ahead through your lodging or a local taxi or shuttle company.
• If you rent a car, lock it and keep every bag out of sight, trunk included. Car break-ins are the most common crime affecting visitors. Use staffed or well-lit garages downtown rather than isolated lots.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Asheville with local guides and curated experiences.