Visiting Asheville

“The warm, friendly people of Asheville made my family and I feel so welcome and comfortable that the whole experience was like a fantastic vacation.”
— Actor, Rance Howard

Nestled at 2,500 foot elevation, between the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, awaits a city of surprises, a city of contradictions and a city of unprecedented vibrancy. Located in the heart of Appalachia, Asheville, North Carolina is surrounded by natural beauty. There is an allure to Asheville that sets it apart from other places. There is a quality that resonates from something far greater than that which is apparent solely to the naked eye.

It is a resonance that is reflected in Asheville, the scenery, the buildings, the people and even the food. Some call it a “vortex”, others call it a “first class city with a hometown feel”, and some just call it “home”. Recently Self magazine dubbed Asheville, “America’s Happiest City”, while Outdoor Living, Modern Maturity and Money have all ranked it in their respective “America’s Top Cities” lists. Add to that, the dubious titles (coincidently in the same month) “Best Place to Retire” by AARP and “New Freak Capital of the U.S.” by Rolling Stone, and...you get the picture.

The mix of people, cultures, political ilk, and individualism creates a harmony and a vibrance that keeps the people of Asheville happy, and keeps newcomers and visitors arriving in droves. Perhaps it is the blend of this mix and the natural beauty which has long attracted the film industry as well.

Since its earliest days filmmakers have flocked to Asheville and Western North Carolina. Thomas Edison filmed shorts in Asheville in 1911. In 1921 the feature film “Conquest of Canaan” was shot entirely on location in Asheville. Since then many features have been filmed in Asheville including “Thunder Road” in 1958, starring Robert Mitchum, 1979’s “Being There” with Shirley McLaine and Peter Sellers, epics like “The Last of the Mohicans,” comedies like “My Fellow Americans” starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner, thrillers like the Silence of the Lambs sequel “Hannibal”, and most recently “The Clearing”, starring Robert Redford, Willem Dafoe and Helen Mirren. These days Asheville is one of Hollywood’s best kept secrets.

Please visit our history page for more information on the Asheville area.