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. But one of the things we like about it best is that it is considered to be the North Carolina hippie town that sets the trend for the freestyle lifestyle!

The city of Asheville was incorporated in 1797.
Flickr/pulaw
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. Today you'll find over 94.000 happy residents like us!
Now, cue the nationwide hippie movement.
Flickr/jay joslin
It began in San Francisco in the mid 1960s and quickly swept to other parts of the nation, including Asheville.
Today, Asheville is as much a city as it is a state of mind.
Flickr/Gary Scott
The come-as-you-are and be-as-you-are attitudes are part of what makes this city so popular with North Carolina residents and visitors alike.
Since the start of the hippie movement, Asheville has grown and so has its niche Bohemian enclave.
Facebook/Asheville Downtown Association
Lexington Avenue and the downtown arts district have always held arms wide open to everyone. Several annual events invite you to join in as well. Take a look:
Asheville Mardi Gras is a season of events heating up the winter days and nights in January and February each year.
Flickr/anoldent
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.
Asheville's downtown sidewalks and parks are commonly filled with street musicians and artists.
Visit Asheville Facebook Page
For example, 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.

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The Asheville Yoga Festival is always the last weekend in July.
Visit Asheville Facebook Page
Here, hundreds of body-bending, spiritual yogis converge on the San Francisco of the East for three days of togetherness.
As a spectator not participating in the festival, you never know what you'll encounter during the Asheville Yoga Festival.
Visit Asheville Facebook Page
But one thing we know for sure: it is asways awe-inspiring.
The hippie movement inspired everyone to just be themselves.
Facebook/Asheville Downtown Association
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.
The hippest town in North Carolina is also the most hippie town in the state.
Flickr/Ken Lane
But there's more to admire about Asheville than just this cultural niche.
One of the best ways to explore the city is be embarking upon a tour.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState.com
You can ride a fun and informative trolley tour by going to the Asheville Visitor's Center.
Whatever flavor you are, or are looking for...
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState.com
...the city has something to suit your fancy. Asheville hippies welcome you!

For more information, be sure to check out the Explore Asheville website, as well as the Explore Asheville Facebook page.

Have you ever been to this hippie town in North Carolina? If so, did you get to interact with any Asheville hippies? What were your favorite things about Asheville? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

If you’re interested in making a weekend trip to Asheville, you might and want to stay at the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown.

To see more of beautiful Asheville, check out this time lapse video.

For more Tar Heel State adventures, take a look at this video about Clingmans Dome:

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

More Adventures in North Carolina

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | September 18, 2023

Where can we find wineries in North Carolina?

  • Starrlight Mead in Pittsboro is popular for its specialty honey wines.
  • Silver Fork Vineyard & Winery in Morgantown has a great tasting rooms and offers amazing views of the South Mountains.
  • Treehouse Vineyards in Monroe is set on a beautiful spacious property where you can also rent treehouse accommodations for overnight stays.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other spectacular wineries in North Carolina.

Where can we find lighthouses in North Carolina?

  • The Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla is the only natural-brick lighthouse on the coast.
  • The Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags Head was originally built in 1872.
  • The Roanoke Lighthouse in Edenton dates back to 1866.

Read on to learn more about some of the many amazing lighthouses in North Carolina.

Where are some of the best places to go fishing in North Carolina?

  • The Albermarle Headwater Rivers is where four rivers connect at the head of the Sound drawing fish from all directions.
  • Carolina Beach accesses the Cape Fear River and is the place to catch flounder.
  • Cape Hatteras is known for the lefty Striped Bass that migrate to the area during the winter months.

Read on to learn more about some of the many great places to go fishing in North Carolina.

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Explore North Carolina

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Asheville, NC, USA