From the world-famous Biltmore Estate, to a variety of wineries, and a multitude of outdoor adventures including the Blue Ridge Parkway, it would seem that Asheville has it all. Tourism has been on the rise in Asheville for decades, attracting visitors and new residents from all walks of life.
Asheville incorporated in 1797. In the 1860 U.S. Census a mere 502 residents lived in Asheville. Fast forward a century to 1960, and the population had swelled to 60,000 residents.
Flickr/pulaw
Now, cue the nationwide hippie movement. It began in San Francisco in the mid 1960s and quickly swept to other parts of the nation, including Asheville.
Flickr/jay joslin
Today, Asheville is as much a city as it is a state of mind. The come-as-you-are and be-as-you-are attitudes are part of what makes this city so popular.
Flickr/Gary Scott
Since the start of the hippie movement, Asheville has grown and so has its niche Bohemian enclave. Lexington Avenue and the downtown arts district have always held arms wide open to everyone. Several events each year invite you to join in as well. Take a look:
Facebook/Asheville Downtown Association
Asheville Mardi Gras is a season of events heating up the winter days and nights in January and February each year. The annual celebration brings communities together with parades, pin making parties, the Queen’s Ball and more. The annual parade is always the second Sunday in February.
Flickr/anoldent
Asheville’s downtown sidewalks and parks are commonly filled with street musicians and artists. The first Sunday in September the city celebrates them with the Living Asheville Arts Festival on Lexington Avenue. Folks from all cultures pile into downtown to live it up and celebrate the arts.
Facebook/Visit Asheville
During the Asheville Yoga Festival, always the last weekend in July, hundreds of body-bending, spiritual yogis converge on the San Francisco of the East for three days of togetherness.
Facebook/Asheville Yoga Festival
As a spectator not participating in the festival, you never know what you’ll encounter during the Asheville Yoga Festival. But one thing is for sure: it will be awe-inspiring.
Facebook/Asheville Yoga Festival
The hippie movement inspired everyone to just be themselves. In a way, that philosophy rings true in Asheville more than any other city in North Carolina. Each year, on the last Saturday in September, Downtown Asheville welcomes the Blue Ridge Pride Festival celebrating the LGBT community.
Facebook/Asheville Downtown Association
The hippest town in North Carolina is also the most hippie town in the state. But there’s more to admire about Asheville than just this cultural niche. What are some of the things you love most about Asheville?
Flickr/Ken Lane We’d love to know in our comments!
To see more of beautiful Asheville, check out this time lapse video.
Flickr/pulaw
Flickr/jay joslin
Flickr/Gary Scott
Facebook/Asheville Downtown Association
Flickr/anoldent
Facebook/Visit Asheville
Facebook/Asheville Yoga Festival
Flickr/Ken Lane
We’d love to know in our comments!
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