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Asheville

Asheville, located in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina in the United States, is famed for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and great outdoor activities. Known for the domed Basilica of Saint Lawrence and the vast 19th-century Biltmore Estate, Asheville also houses an array of unique art galleries and museums offering a gateway into Appalachian culture. An absolute haven for food and beer lovers, the city hosts numerous craft breweries and farm-to-table restaurants. Whether it's hiking, arts, or cuisine, Asheville offers an eclectic mix of experiences that captivates every traveller’s heart.

3.7 /5

Based on 3 experiences

3.9 /5

Based on our research

4.1 /5

Based on safety reports

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Safety:Very safe

Asheville is generally a safe city, with a friendly and welcoming vibe. There's reasonable safety walking in the day or night in most areas, but like any city, remain aware of your surroundings. Also, it's known for its laid-back lifestyle and vibrant arts scene. Always practice standard safety precautions, such as not sharing your travel plans with strangers and avoiding unlit areas at night.

Transport:Easy

Asheville is quite manageable for solo female travelers. The majority of the city can be navigated on foot, offering a myriad of shopping, dining, and cultural attractions within easy walking distance. There is also a reliable public transportation system for longer distances, and abundant cab and rideshare options. However, some popular attractions are located on the outskirts of the city that might be difficult to reach without a personal vehicle.

Things to do:Interesting

Asheville is a wonderful combination of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure. This vibrant city is enriched by a diverse mix of arts and culture, from the bustling creative River Arts District to the numerous art galleries and studios dotted around the city. Foodies will enjoy the abundance of farm-to-table restaurants while beer enthusiasts can hop along the city famed for being the 'Craft Brewing Capital of Southeast U.S'. Nature lovers will find delight hiking the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and exploring the famous Biltmore Estate's extensive gardens. However, it may lack some activities for extreme adventure seekers.

Food:Above average

Asheville offers an array of diverse and tasty cuisine. From local Southern favorites to international dishes, the food scene is sure to please the palate of every foodie. Farm-to-table experiences are common, with ingredients sourced from the local mountains making dishes fresh and flavorful. Vegetarian and vegan options are also plentiful. However, it might lack the culinary repertoire of the larger cities.

Budget:Moderate

Asheville can be a moderately budget-friendly destination for solo female travelers. It offers a range of affordable accommodations, eateries, and attractions. However, some of the popular activities like guided hikes, farm-to-table restaurants, and wine tasting can be on the pricier side. If you choose to explore the areas around the city, public transport is somewhat limited and you might have to rent a car which can add to your expenses. There are still plenty of ways to enjoy Asheville on a budget if you plan carefully.

Overall rating

3.7 /5

based on 3 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

4.1/5

Food

3.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.7/5

Noel

United States

Couple travel experience

Asheville was beautiful. We stayed in Weaversville, a nearby town. The town was safe, although many people were not friendly and did not take well to the large tourist culture. Would recommend staying in Asheville or Mills River in the future. However, Weaversville was gorgeous. Asheville is known for their food, so prepare a large restaurant budget! Some favorites of mine were Biscuithead, Sunny Point Cafe, 131 Main, and Luella's BBQ. Grandfather mountain and Pigsah forest make excellent day trips, but spend plenty of time downtown, and at the art galleries/exhibits! Several microbreweries that I didn't go to, but have heard raging things about! We did stop at Sierra Nevada for the food as well. We drove down and having a car is a necessity, although most parking is paid. We spent about $2500 between shopping, lodging, and eating out- which we did usually at least twice a day. Overall would absolutely recommend!

Posted: January 3, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5

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Lyssa

United States

Solo travel experience

I did a housesit outside of Asheville, NC for 2 weeks. I can’t recommend Asheville enough! So many things to do - art tours, hikes, the Biltmore, shopping, AMAZING food. If you are love the outdoors, art, and food, you will love Asheville. An ideal destination to be solo because of the extremely friendly locals. Easy to make friends. I was there in spring but I’d recommend any time of year, as they have a mild climate.

Posted: December 29, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5

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Mostly safe for women but not recommended for solo walking at night. So many things to explore from rivers, to breweries, to mountain tops. Pre COVID there was more live music and events. Worth looking into what you like before you visit and making sure it’s here.

Posted: March 8, 2024

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Asheville is amazing. You can roam around the Blue Ridge Mountains, Max Patch, and beautiful walks are also around Montreat College, you can visit 12 Bones Smokehouse for a pulled pork sandwich, River Arts district, breweries, Asheville Art Museum, Biltmore Estate, LaZoom Tours, Farewell Coffee, Liberty Coffee House, Summit Coffee, Early Girl Eatery, musicians playing in the streets, Sunny Point Cafe West Asheville, Harvest Records West Asheville, and much more!

Posted: July 29, 2022

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