If you love art and history, walk the Asheville's Urban Trail, a 1.7-mile walking tour through the streets of downtown Asheville. Asheville's history and past are told through 30 stops, each with public sculptures which function as landmarks along the Urban Trail. Read more about Asheville's Architecture.
The 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. The Trail was designed by volunteers and built with donations from individuals, groups and organizations who wish to leave a lasting legacy to their community.
This self-guided tour is perfect for any history buff or architecture lover, local or tourist, downtown stroller or urban explorer. Asheville's history is rich, and the Urban Trail highlights five distinct time periods that are signified by pink granite markers in the sidewalk: the feather represents the Gilded Age, the horseshoe represents the Frontier Period, an angel for the Times of Thomas Wolfe, the courthouse for the Era of Civic Pride and an eagle for the Age of Diversity. Learn the legends and lore of our city while enjoying the outdoors, Asheville's beautiful skyline, streets and sculptures.
Printed Urban Trail maps are available at Pack Place and the information center at Pack Square Park. Download an Urban Trail PDF map and guide to take with you!
Here is a map and list of stops:
Begin the Urban Trail at Pack Place (See map above)
1. Walk into History: George Willis Pack
2. Crossroads: Turkeys & Pigs
3. Stepping Out: Bronze Top Hat
4. O.Henry: Plaque in sidewalk
5. Immortal Image: Drhumor Building
6. Elizabeth Blackwell, MD: Iron bench with a bower of medicinal herbs
7. Art Deco Masterpiece: S&W Building
8. Flat Iron Architecture: Giant flat iron
9. Cat Walk: Cat on wall
10. Grove's Vision: Grove Arcade
11. Historic Hilltop: Battery Park Hotel
12. Guastavino's Monument: Basilica of St. Lawrence
13. Appalachian Stage: Bronze fiddle and quilt on bench and five bronze figures of dancers and musicians in front of Civic Center
14. Shopping Daze: Abstract, forged metal representation of three ladies shopping
15. Marketplace: Bronze bonnet and basket of apples on bench
16. Legacy of Design: Bench and young boy, Richard Sharp Smith
17. Woodfin House: Ceramic replica of YMCA
18. Wolfe's Neighborhood: Metal sculptures depicting items from Thomas Wolfe's life
19. Dixieland: Bronze replica of Thomas Wolfe's shoes in front of Thomas Wolfe Memorial
20. Curtain Calls: Abstract metal sculptures mounted on building
21. On the Move: Art in motion sculpture with the history of transportation - turn the wheel to hear 11 different sounds
22. Civic Pride: Historic bell from City Hall
23. Past and Promise: Little girl drinks at a horse-head fountain
24. Man and Mountain: Plaque
25. Ellington's Dream: Granite etching of city-county buildings by Douglas Ellington
26. Time Remembered: Plaque covers bicentennial time capsule
27. Monument Corner: Bronze carving tools and carving
28. Brick Artisan: James Vester Miller, cornucopia over the doorway
29. "The Block:" Bronze wall sculpture for historic African-American community
30. Hotel District: Bronze eagle overlooks early hotel district
