Turns out, urban hiking is a very real thing in many cities, including, “The Land of the Sky.” A quick Google search revealed this:
The Asheville Urban Trail was begun by the City of Asheville as part of its ongoing program to improve the quality of our city through the display of public art. This self-guided tour…is perfect for any history buff or architecture lover, local or tourist, downtown stroller or urban explorer alike. Asheville’s history is rich, and the Urban Trail highlights upon five distinct time periods that are signified by pink granite markers in the sidewalk.
Sounded like a good time to me!
Larry and Aidan were out roughing it with the Boy Scouts for the weekend, so my comrades consisted of Paige, Wogene, and our good friend, Kaylee. I wasn’t sure if the stations would hold their attention for the entire walk, but I shouldn’t have worried. Finding the markers and artwork became like a treasure hunt to them, and along the way we darted in and out of several stores that caught our eye.
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| The “catwalk” on Wall St. has an interesting story behind it! |
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| We love the quirky shops in Asheville! |
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| Porcine meets pedestrian |
There is a great brochure and map one may obtain from the visitor’s center but everything you need to know can also be found here. Along the route, there are 30 stations, each which include a piece of art and/or a bronze plaque that describes the station. The entire route is a quick and easy 1.7 miles.
We indeed learned a great deal about the history of Asheville’s architecture as well as famous historical residents and events. It was a fabulous day of experiential learning in a city that stole my heart nearly twenty years ago and hasn’t let go since. Go see it for yourself!
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| Did you know our country’s first female physician lived in Asheville? This sculpture was created in her honor. |
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| Ouch! Hot iron in front of the Flat Iron Building! |
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| Lou loved the Appalachian musicians |
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| The girls especially liked the sculpture representing shopping! |
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| They were fascinated with the interactive “On the Move” exhibit |
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| Did you know Asheville has gargoyles?! |
All in all, it was a fabulous day in the city and I am now officially intrigued by the idea of finding more urban hikes in different cities. If you know of any good ones, please do share them in the comments below!
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