Smart Tours
Many local tour operations have taken steps toward sustainability. Fueled by biodiesel, historical tour LaZoom blends comedy, music and colorful theatrics for guests of all ages. Relax, guilt-free, on a bicycle-drawn rickshaw as you cruise downtown, the River Arts District or historic Montford using only muscle power. Consider a Segway tour, rechargeable electric scooters that traverse downtown Asheville, Biltmore and the North Carolina Arboretum.
Farm-to-Table Fresh
With more than 12,000 farms and 40 tailgate and farmer’s markets in Western North Carolina, it’s not difficult to green your dining habits on vacation and learn why Asheville is the world's only Foodtopian Society. Asheville is home to more than 135 independent restaurants, many of which serve local produce, meats, cheeses, wines and brews. Traveling only a short distance from area farms to your plate reduces carbon emissions and preserves the crisp seasonal flavors of the harvest.
Geocache Sightseeing
The sightseeing trend of GPS scavenger hunting, known as geocaching, is a fun and environmentally friendly way to explore a destination on foot. Using your GPS unit as a compass, hunt down some of the 8,700 “caches” hidden within 100 miles of downtown Asheville. Coordinates and clues for walkable geocache hunts can be found on ExploreAsheville.com's popular Asheville geocaches page or year-round geocaching pages as well as on Geocaching.com.
Your Own Two Feet
Mild year-round weather and walkable downtown streets lined with coffee shops and boutiques make Asheville an ideal destination to explore on foot. The Asheville Visitor Center offers maps and suggestions for guided and self-guided tours of the area.
Sustainable Souvenirs
If you like to wear your eco-conscience on your sleeve, consider a sustainable souvenir of your visit to Asheville. The co-founders of the nation’s first mass-produced sustainable clothing company have made a home here and, continue their eco-fiber legacy with Spiritex boutique on funky Lexington Avenue. This holiday season eschew mass-produced, brand-name gifts that have been shipped across the globe. Use your vacation to find unique stocking stuffers including local artwork, crafts, pottery and specialty food items.
Two Wheels Are Better
The Asheville area is an ideal hub for some of the best trail riding in the eastern U.S. With more than 2,000 miles of hiking and biking trails nearby, you can leave your vehicle behind and do some sightseeing on two wheels. Many local outfitters and cycle shops rent equipment, offer instruction and lead group rides.
Eco-Inspiration on Vacation
Get ideas from area experts who are leading the local charge toward sustainable living. The Southern Living Idea House, a LEED-certified residential project, will open for tours through mid-October as an example of energy efficiency. Get tips from the Organic Mechanic, EcoBuilders, BioWheels or simply follow a vehicle with a “fueled by local biodiesel” bumper sticker to one of nine biofuel pump stations in the area.
Biltmore’s Legacy of Stewardship
The Asheville area has a history of stewardship. George Vanderbilt and landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead rehabilitated worn-out tracts of farmland into the lush gardens and landscaped forest that surround America’s largest home. Learn how Vanderbilt helped found the nation’s first scientific forestry program and how Biltmore Estate continues this environmental mission.
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