Asheville City Guide

Strong local food culture with Appalachian fare, farm-to-table, and craft beer. Plenty of international options and many vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants. Some late-night options on weekends.

Diverse nightlife with craft breweries, distilleries, live music, and cocktail bars.

Strong specialty coffee scene with many local roasters and third-wave shops.

Tipping is expected for most services. Restaurants typically 15-20%, taxis and barbers 15-20%, hotel staff get a few dollars.

Major carriers AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have physical stores and offer good coverage. eSIMs are available. ID might be requested for contract plans.

Generally clean downtown and tourist areas. Regular waste pickup and recycling services. Few sanitation issues.

Some 24-hour pharmacies and convenience stores. Emergency rooms operate 24/7; limited 24/7 urgent care.

Good selection of international goods at supermarkets and specialty stores. Farmers markets offer fresh local produce.

Most places accept credit and debit cards. Cash is rarely needed.

ATMs are common at banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Truist, plus many grocery stores. Using out-of-network ATMs can cost $2.50 to $5.00 in fees.

Main public districts are Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools. Private schools include Asheville School and Carolina Day School. Instruction is in English.

A small but friendly community with informal meetups and good networking through co-working spaces and cafes.

Excellent access to parks and riversides with shaded walking and running trails.

Safe running routes on greenways and trails. Active running clubs and regular races.

Various gyms and studios available across the city.

Public and private tennis courts available with coaching and memberships.

Padel tennis is not common in Asheville.

Several yoga studios offering various styles and drop-in classes. English-speaking instructors.

Several dojos for disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo. English-speaking instructors and drop-in classes.

Several ski resorts are within 1-2 hours, offering terrain for all skill levels and equipment rental.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing available on local rivers and lakes with rentals and guided tours.

No surfing nearby, as Asheville is inland.

No nearby diving spots due to inland location.

Mission Hospital provides quality care with English-speaking staff. Urgent care clinics and pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are widely available.

Tap water meets EPA safety standards and is safe to drink.

Many parks and playgrounds, family-friendly cafes, and attractions like the Western North Carolina Nature Center and Biltmore Estate.

Highly inclusive with many LGBTQ+ friendly venues and active community groups. Low discrimination risk.

Very pet-friendly with many dog parks, pet-friendly businesses, and good veterinary services.