I took a two-hour walking tour this morning in Asheville with Peter, and it was absolutely…read morefantastic. From the moment he introduced himself, Peter proved to be a wealth of knowledge. He gave us a rich historical background of Asheville before guiding us through the streets, where we stopped at various points of interest. Along the way, he highlighted restaurants, landmarks, and historical sites dating from the 1700s to today. His storytelling made the city come alive, and I learned so much more than I expected. I honestly can't say enough about Peter--he was truly phenomenal. If you're visiting Asheville, this tour is a must! This is a tipped based program. While the walking tour is free, the guides depend on their tips. Please be generous.

If you take this amazing tour use Peter. Besides an interesting tour with rich history including…read moredevelopment of the area and architecture, he is hilarious. I liked it so much I'd do it again. I'd rate it a 10 plus.

The one star is added because of the prompt refund and return of the flask we left in the car…read more Otherwise this was a total disaster and a bait and switch situation where we discussed one tour over the phone and the day of we were told otherwise. We had paid a deposit for two days of tour but when we contacted them 3-4 days prior we received a curt email which incorrectly stated that we were only booked for one day. Most businesses would have at least reviewed emails after receiving a detailed note from a client before sending such a rude response as the one we received. When we asked in repeat emails about what options were available for lunch and other specific questions no answers were received. However, the day of the tour George tried to turn the blame on us stating we would have needed to pre- order the meal with him despite his lack of email response about meal options. We also felt racially profiled since his interaction with my husband who is Caucasian visibly altered in addition to his entire demeanor, once we joined them In the hotel lobby and he realised that the other members of the tour, myself included were black. We opted not to take this tour since we felt that the new terms were different from what was previously discussed (not to mention he promised full flexibility with tours repeatedly on the phone) and we couldn't figure out how he'd be able to take us walking with the boot safely. We also were very specific in prior discussions that we had no interest in visiting the Biltmore estate but this was what George was encouraging us to switch to the day of the tour (once again probably because of his own limitations) He also tried to make us try to sign a waiver but then he got angry and defensive when we politely asked few polite questions about his insurance coverage and things to clarify what he was asking us to sign. Overall, I consider this a near miss event since everything suggested this tour would have been a competent disaster of a day had we gone on the road with George. The tour we ended up taking instead with a different company far exceeded our expectations without any hassle or racist undertones. George will probably try to defend his behavior by accusing us of being rude (this is in response to us asking for clarifications and for what we booked ) but since issues started way back from his side of the correspondence (or lack thereof) you can be the judge of the situation

We went on a five hour hiking tour in the Pisgah National Forest area. George, our tour guide, took…read moreus to a beautiful waterfall and atop a tall fire tower with gorgeous views. I would definitely recommend this tour for any family!

What a fun time! Brian was an amazing story teller and kept us entertained for well over two hours…read more Lots of cool things were learned, and quite a lot of interesting architecture and facts about what we were looking at. We did not see any ghosts but felt like they could have popped up at any time. A great and different experience! So glad Asheville is back!!

Great experience! Tad was the tour guide. He kept it entertaining and fun. It is a family friendly…read moreactivity.

So fun! Each tour is tailored to the groups interests, size and preferences. Super fun way to get…read moreto know town for locals and visitors!

We recently did a The Team Building Detour as an activity for diverse group of 27 professionals…read morefrom throughout the US. Kasey was extremely communicative and accommodating through the entire planning process. She broke the group up into 3 smaller groups to allow everyone to be able to participate. She greeted us at our first stop and explained how the clues and hunt would work -- she had so much positive energy, with jokes, fun swag, and candy to get us started on the right foot. The clues and stops were thoughtfully curated to give the teams a variety of experiences. Everyone had an amazing time and it was a great way to bond in a casual setting. I visit Asheville fairly regularly (~2X/year) and the tour showed me some new spots and new facts about Asheville. Highly recommend Asheville Detours as a fun activity for your next group outing - whether it's a corporate group, bachelorette party, family outing, church group, etc. Thanks so much, Kasey!

I took the AVL Lit Map tour recently and had an excellent experience. Sarah did a fantastic job…read moresharing facts and stories about both well known authors as well as smaller local authors. I would absolutely recommend this tour for both people who know very little about the literary history of Asheville (myself) as well as those who know a bit more. Questions are encouraged and the guides know so much about the history of the area. The content was a good mix of the history of Asheville's literary history, culture, architecture, and local legends. I think the walking tour format was more enjoyable than a bus tour might have been. Being able to walk through the park, by the local shops, and stopping and seeing the buildings up close definitely helped me feel more connected to the city. I've been to Asheville more than a dozen times and only now feel like I actually know a bit about the area instead of just being a "tourist". For those concerned about the walk being a physical activity, I can report that it was easily managable. The frequent stops allowed everyone to catch their breath, so even if you're not in the best of shape (like me) you're not going to feel overworked. I know one stop that had steps also had elevator access. I you have questions about wheelchair access or other mobility concerns, maybe call ahead? There may have been another section with steps, too. There are three parking garages withing 2 blocks, so parking is a breeze. And when you finish the tour, you're right in the heart of downtown so there is plenty of places to stop and eat. Overall, A+ experience. Easily the best tour of a city I've done.

From the owner: Asheville's Guided Literary Walking Tour | Asheville's only multimedia tour designed exclusively…read morefor literary travelers

Greg and Ncline Adventures are fantastic! I really wanted to see the fall foliage on the Blue Ridge…read moreParkway but didn't want to go by myself. I'm so happy I found this as an option! He was so accommodating to me and my dog and was a wealth of knowledge about the area and hiking in general! The brewery visit after was the icing on the cake! I will for sure be booking another adventure with him in the future! Worth every penny.

From the owner: Blue Ridge Mtns best adventurers; we want to help you Experience Asheville and all it has to offer…read more We offer custom guided day hiking tours, camping and packages throughout Western North Carolina. We can combine any of our tours to hit up one of our local craft breweries or eateries - your wish is our pleasure! NCLINE Adventures also offers sprinter van rental, truck rental with tents and camping equipment.

My husband and I have had two separate hiking trips with Bev MacDowal from the Blue Ridge Hiking…read moreCompany and can never say enough about our incredible experiences. Bev not only guided our hikes, but taught us an amazing amount about the different plants, flowers, and yes gorgeous fungi (that we would have missed on our own). Bev's knowledge of the forest and her hiking expertise made each step a wonder. Even if you are a seasoned, experienced hiker, you have much to learn from Bev and the Blue Ridge Hiking Company.

Adam was an amazing guide! He was knowledgeable, personable and made the hike a…read morehighlight of our visit from Boston. I highly recommend this hiking company. We learned a lot about the environment- including lots of information about plants that I look forward to imparting to my friends back in Boston. Adam was just a joy - he shared his passion for the outdoors as well as his interest in theatre. I can't recommend this hiking group enough - if you want a memorable Asheville experience - there is no better way to learn about the environment and get in a good hike than with Adam and Blue Ridge Hiking Company. Incredible experience!

A Perfect Personalized Day in Asheville!…read more Just returned from a short trip to Asheville with two friends, and instead of renting a car we decided to book a private, personalized day trip with Outta Asheville. Best decision we made! From the very beginning, Jacque was wonderful to work with. She promptly provided multiple itinerary options based on our interests, including restaurant suggestions and menus so we could plan ahead. She arrived right on time to pick us up at our hotel, and immediately made us feel comfortable and taken care of. Our day included a relaxing walk through the Arboretum, a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and visits to Pisgah Inn, Brevard , and Hendersonville. Throughout the entire experience, Jacque was incredibly knowledgeable about the area and seemed to know exactly where to take us to make the most of our time. Her van was stocked with thoughtful provisions, and she tailored the day to our interests and physical needs without us ever having to ask twice. She was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with -- warm, friendly, professional, and so accommodating. We highly recommend booking with Outta Asheville and letting her do the driving, planning, and navigating while you simply enjoy the views and experience. There wasn't a single negative thing about our day. Truly excellent! Would book again in a heartbeat!

Jacque is very organized . She put together a lively afternoon for us visiting chimney rock, the e…read moreflowering bridge and 2 wineries . She drives really well . She took photos for us at every stop . She picked us up On time . She is very attentive and friendly . Highly Recommend this company .

Had a good friend recently have an event here and her experience was not pleasant. The building was…read morevery dirty and there was poor communication with the Temple's contact while making several attempts. Very disappointed in the space, you should check out many other wonderful properties in town before considering this space.

I had no idea this place was going to be as cool as it was, on the inside. The usual irony with…read moreFreemasonry is that these devotees of sacred architecture and geometry meet so often in shabby anonymous buildings with plate glass windows and acoustic ceiling tiles. No such irony here, friends. This particular Masonic Temple is a glorious celebration of detail and craftsmanship. Even the fuse box is beautiful, sitting in plain sight in a glass box in the stairwell, like a lost Joseph Cornell piece. Each doorknob is emblazoned with symbolism in bas relief. The ceiling is expansive, with groined arches recalling classic cathedrals. The original elevator is working, although I think most Americans don't know how to use old-style elevators anymore. The staircase is wide, and recalls the "I don't give a damn" set from Gone With the Wind. The real treasure is the 3rd floor theater. A round, domed room with a curving balcony, painted in dusky pink, chalk blue, and gilt. The acoustics are great, considering the age of the building. The star of the theater is the gorgeous backdrops. So ridiculously gorgeous, they risk upstaging whomever's performing. I've heard folklore (unsubstantiated, but believable) that these backdrops, themselves, are worth millions of dollars on today's market. Layer upon layer of hand-cut, hand-painted detail, that catches the light in amazing, dramatic ways. If you've ever been to the cyclorama in Atlanta, you might recognize a similar style, although the subject matter here isn't military stuff--it's romantic, pastoral, mystical. If you ever get a chance to go to anything at the Masonic Temple, go. Just go. Drop everything and go. Find a babysitter. Cancel your appointments. Go. Especially if you know the event will take place on the 3rd floor. You will be mindblown with awesomeness.