Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.5/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour worth booking?
Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour is a 1-hour experience in Asheville, United States, from $15 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 3.5/5 (6)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $15 per person
Uncover a blend of history, art, and stories as you walk Asheville’s streets. Observe the mastery of structures like the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Learn about the city’s post-Revolutionary War origins and how the raging
What you get
About this experience
Uncover a blend of history, art, and stories as you walk Asheville’s streets. Observe the mastery of structures like the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Learn about the city’s post-Revolutionary War origins and how the raging Civil War impacted Asheville and its slaves. Then see an array of unique sculptures as you continue, such as the Marketplace Sculpture. You’ll also get to meet figures such as famed author Thomas Wolfe and see the eclectic River Arts District. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's included
Included
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Just bring your phone and headphones; the app guides your walk.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Private walking tour experience for your family or group.
- Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and transport are separate.
What you'll see and do
Basilica of Saint Lawrence
Pause here. To our left is the impressive Basilica of St. Lawrence. This basilica owes its existence to Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino. In the early 1890s, Guastavino was commissioned to work on a vaulted ceiling for the Biltmore house in Asheville. But while here, he decided he loved the place too much to leave! He bought property and set down roots. Note:- The tour is over 2 miles long, with more than 46 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
15 minutes here
See that statue depicting three well-dressed women with a dog in tow? That’s Shopping Daze! This sculpture commemorated Haywood Street’s history as a desirable and unique shopping destination. I think it can also represent Asheville’s ability to bounce back after its lively shopping district was hindered by debt and mall culture.
15 minutes here
The ‘Legacy of Design’ sculpture stands up here, depicting a young boy on stilts. This piece was made to honor the inventive architect Richard Sharp Smith. I’ll dive deeper into Smith’s life in a moment, but first, you should know a thing or two about the sculptor of this piece, Dennis Smith.
15 minutes here
The bell up here is a replica of the one that used to stand at the east end of Pack square, which rang out during important moments in Asheville’s early history. What kinds of events? Well, how about when the colonies declared their independence from Great Britain!
15 minutes here
In 1924 architect Ronald Greene was commissioned to create the Jackson Building. It’s the one directly to our right! This was the tallest skyscraper in North Carolina at the time of its construction, and boasts some very unique features.
15 minutes here
Do you see that bronze lock of hair, combs, and pocket watch set into the concrete around this plaque? If you’re a classic literature buff, you might recall what these all have in common. They’re from the famous O. Henry short story “Gift of the Magi”!
15 minutes here
To our left stands the amazingly intricate Drhumor Building! Humorously given the nickname of the ‘Dr. Humor building,’ this structure owes its beauty to sculptor Frederick Miles. What many people don’t know is that these carvings might actually be based on real Asheville residents!
15 minutes here
Grove Arcade
Coming up on our left is the Grove Arcade. Built by Edwin Grove, this bustling center of commerce stretches over a block and offers just about anything your heart desires.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Asheville
Start at the Asheville Visitor Center parking lot at 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801. The Visitor Center is on your left as a reference. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses. Audio plays automatically—check your email/text for details.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel with Action
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Follow the route on your phone without an in-person guide or crowded group.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Multi-device access: Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Useless tour audio package.
All the information in the $15 tour package is available for FREE at the Visitors Center! The app was very difficult to use. It cut out, skipped ahead and shifted from location #7 to #50 - the end.
Response from the operator: Hester, it makes sense that you didn’t hear much if you went from 7 to 50. Obviously, the tour covers significantly more than the free brochures. Also, the pins for 7 and 50 are close to each other, but not THAT close — can you confirm if you stuck to the tour route or were you following your own path?
via Tripadvisor
Should be Your first tour in Asheville
I think that should be your first tour in Asheville to see Downtown. It's so convenient, so easy to follow and give you a lot of freedom that I like it even more than the guided tour which I had next day. Actually, both worked together very well, and I got whole picture and history about Asheville.
Response from the operator: Nina, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed my Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. I love that the flexibility and freedom worked so well for you and even complemented your guided tour the next day. That’s precisely how a self-guided experience should feel—easy to follow, convenient, and helping you see the complete picture of Asheville’s history and downtown charm at your own pace.
via Viator
A solo walking experience
This is part of an app that has multiple walking tours. It is impossible to do as a group, but alone it is a nice way to hear about the city while walking. The directions are easy to follow and the pace is relaxing. You see much of the downtown and get some history about the place. If you are alone, I would recommend it.
Response from the operator: Andrea, thank you for sharing your thoughts on my Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. I’m glad you enjoyed exploring downtown at your own pace and found the directions easy to follow. You mentioned it’s challenging to do as a group — could you tell me more about what made it difficult? Was it an issue with syncing audio across multiple phones or something else? Your feedback can help me and my team improve the group experience for future travelers. If you’d like, please don't hesitate to contact me directly. I'm available daily from 9 to 6 EST.
via Tripadvisor
Good !
This was very informative and a concise history that I enjoyed. The weather was very cold and windy which may have have been a factor in that the app could not keep up with me. I had to manually tap almost each site.
Response from the operator: Melissa, I'm thrilled you enjoyed the informative content of the Highlights of the Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour! Regarding the app issue, bad weather doesn't affect its functionality since the tour works offline. If you experienced delays, it might help to restart the app next time. This can quickly resolve any glitches and ensure a smoother transition between sites. Remember, your purchase remains valid for a year, so feel free to revisit the tour under hopefully sunnier skies!
via Tripadvisor
Good idea, but poor location sensing.
The app didn’t locate me very well amidst the tall let buildings, so we needed to manually intervene more than we would have liked.
Response from the operator: Gerry, thank you for sharing your experience with my Asheville Audio Tour. It's great to hear that you liked the concept, though It's sad to hear that the inconvenience caused by the GPS location issues among the tall buildings. If you want to explore more, don’t forget to check out my Action+ Tour Bundle for over 100 more self-guided tours.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Asheville.
How much does Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $15 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Asheville usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Asheville is not rushed.
Is Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Asheville, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Asheville can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Asheville and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Asheville within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Asheville?
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Asheville pairs Biltmore Estate visits with Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall tours, brewery crawls through one of the densest beer scenes in America, and guided hikes in Pisgah. Biltmore ticket handling and parkway route detail are what to check. On Outty we rank every Asheville experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Blue Ridge Parkway and Waterfall Hiking Tour from Asheville, Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views, Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Asheville?
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April to June and October for autumn colour. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Asheville?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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