• Basilica of Saint Lawrence - Take a moment here. On the left is the magnificent Basilica of St. Lawrence. This basilica was brought to life by the Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino. In the early 1890s, Guastavino was tasked with creating a vaulted ceiling for the Biltmore house in Asheville. However, he fell in love with the area and decided to stay! He purchased property and made it his home.

Note: This tour spans 1.8 miles and covers all the essentials in 2-3 hours.

Purchase once, and enjoy for a whole year! Perfect for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

• Shopping Daze Sculpture - Notice the statue of three elegantly dressed women with a dog? That’s Shopping Daze! This sculpture celebrates Haywood Street’s history as a sought-after and distinctive shopping area. It also symbolizes Asheville’s resilience in reviving its vibrant shopping district after challenges from debt and mall culture.

• Legacy of Design Sculpture - The ‘Legacy of Design’ sculpture is here, featuring a young boy on stilts. This piece honors the creative architect Richard Sharp Smith. More about Smith’s life will be shared shortly, but first, let’s learn about the sculptor, Dennis Smith.

• Civic Pride Sculpture - The bell here is a replica of the one that once stood at the east end of Pack Square, ringing during significant events in Asheville’s early history. What events? For instance, when the colonies declared independence from Great Britain!

• The Jackson Building - In 1924, architect Ronald Greene was commissioned to design the Jackson Building, located directly to our right! At the time of its construction, it was the tallest skyscraper in North Carolina and features some very distinctive elements.

• O. Henry’s Office - Notice the bronze lock of hair, combs, and pocket watch embedded in the concrete around this plaque? Literature enthusiasts might recognize their connection. They are from the famous O. Henry short story “Gift of the Magi”!

• Drhumor Building - On the left is the intricately detailed Drhumor Building! Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Dr. Humor building,’ this structure’s beauty is credited to sculptor Frederick Miles. Interestingly, these carvings might actually depict real Asheville residents!

• Grove Arcade - Approaching on the left is the Grove Arcade. Built by Edwin Grove, this vibrant commercial hub spans a block and offers nearly anything you could wish for.

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Discover a fusion of history, art, and narratives as you stroll through the streets of Asheville. Admire architectural marvels like the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Delve into the city’s post-Revolutionary War beginnings and explore how the Civil War affected Asheville and its enslaved people. Encounter a variety of distinctive sculptures along the way, such as the Marketplace Sculpture. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about notable figures like the renowned author Thomas Wolfe and explore the vibrant River Arts District.

After booking, be sure to check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action. Enter your unique password to access your tour. These steps require a reliable internet/Wi-Fi connection. Once set up, simply follow the audio instructions and the designated route.

Purchase once and enjoy for a full year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.

Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.

• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
• Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.