Asheville private tours

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville hums with a creative spirit that’s as vibrant as the autumn leaves in full bloom. The city beckons with its eclectic mix of bohemian charm, Southern hospitality, and a dash of mountain mystique. Dive into the soul of Asheville with your local guide and discover a world beyond the scenic vistas. Feel the heartbeat of the city as you wander through the River Arts District on a walking tour, where local artisans transform forgotten warehouses into colourful canvases of expression. Savour the taste of the region with a food and wine tour that takes you from farm-to-table eat...

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville hums with a creative spirit that’s as vibrant as the autumn leaves in full bloom. The city beckons with its eclectic mix of bohemian charm, Southern hospitality, and a dash of mountain mystique. Dive into the soul of Asheville with your local guide and discover a world beyond the scenic vistas. Feel the heartbeat of the city as you wander through the River Arts District on a walking tour, where local artisans transform forgotten warehouses into colourful canvases of expression. Savour the taste of the region with a food and wine tour that takes you from farm-to-table eateries to hidden wine cellars that only the locals know. With private tours in Asheville, you skip the line and step right into the heart of its stories, finding beauty in its craft beer culture, vibrant street art, and the whispered legends of the Appalachian trails. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Asheville.

Explore Asheville your way

At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Asheville tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Asheville for every interest, including:

History tours: Hear Gilded Age stories while exploring the Biltmore Estate grounds and village area, then see Arts and Crafts stonework at the Grove Park Inn. Add the Thomas Wolfe Memorial for a look at Asheville in the 1900s through the author’s home.

Nature and Wildlife tours: Follow the Blue Ridge Parkway to Craggy Gardens for rhododendron blooms or to Black Balsam for balds and big views. Wildlife-minded tours can time elk viewing in Cataloochee Valley at dusk and mix in waterfall walks in Pisgah, like Looking Glass or Moore Cove.

Art and Culture tours: Meet makers in the River Arts District, where your guide can set up studio visits and demonstrations. You can add the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, the Folk Art Center on the Parkway, and an evening show at The Orange Peel.

Downtown is walkable, but public transit is limited for the Parkway and mountain trailheads. Chauffeured tours or tours with private transportation make it easy to reach studios, viewpoints, and trailheads in one day.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Asheville inside and out.

Walking tours & neighbourhoods

Day trip ideas from Asheville

From Asheville, you can branch out to small mountain towns, national forests, and scenic roads nearby, making quick day trips that match your pace and interests.

Blue Ridge Parkway to Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell: Chase views at easy overlooks, walk the short Craggy Pinnacle trail, and visit the highest peak in the East at Mount Mitchell. This route fits you if you like relaxed drives, short hikes, and cooler summit air, and your tour can build in photo stops and a picnic without rushing.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park via Oconaluftee: Watch elk in the fields near the visitor centre at dusk, stroll the Oconaluftee River Trail, and see Mingus Mill running on most days. Pick this if you want wildlife, gentle walking, and park history in one loop, with time left to explore Cherokee’s galleries and murals.

Pisgah National Forest and Brevard Waterfalls: See Looking Glass Falls from the roadside, add an easy walk to Moore Cove Falls, and stop in Brevard for coffee and gear shops. Ideal if you love waterfalls, forest trails, and a small-town main street, and your tour can swap in DuPont’s Triple Falls when you want a bit more trail time.

Hendersonville and Flat Rock: Wander Hendersonville’s Main Street, sample bakeries and cider, then head to Jump Off Rock for a quick overlook and short paths. Go here if local food, simple viewpoints, and quiet neighbourhood parks are your style, with the Carl Sandburg Home grounds offering farm trails and goats in season.

Black Mountain and Montreat: Browse indie shops and cafés in Black Mountain, walk the Lake Tomahawk loop, then hike the short, steady Lookout Mountain trail in Montreat. This suits you if you want a calm town vibe, a manageable climb with big views, and time to linger over a late lunch before heading back.

These day trips from Asheville work well as private tours that focus on what you like most, from waterfalls and wildlife to small towns and mountain views.

A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Asheville most travellers miss.