Duplicating
Tour copied successfully!

Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.05mi , Attraction : Park (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
2 S Spruce St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Pack Square Park
Welcome, folks, Let's begin by entering Pack Square Park, the beating heart of Asheville! You're standing on ground that has witnessed centuries of our city's history, from its humble beginnings as a dusty crossroads to the vibrant civic center it is today. This wasn't always the manicured greenspace you see; for much of the 19th century, it was a practical, if unglamorous, public square, serving as a marketplace and a gathering spot. It’s seen everything from political rallies to livestock sales! The park really began to take its current shape in the early 20th century, spurred by the city's growth and the desire for a grander civic space. The iconic City Hall and Buncombe County Courthouse, both glorious examples of Art Deco architecture, were completed in 1928, framing the square and cementing its status as the center of local government and public life. Over the decades, Pack Square has been a canvas for public expression, a stage for festivals like Bele Chere (our former massive summer street festival), and a place for quiet contemplation. A significant redesign and revitalization completed in 2010 transformed it into the connected, multi-faceted space we enjoy now, linking various sections and adding water features and performance areas. It's truly a place where history meets modern community life, reflecting Asheville's evolving identity. From protests to celebrations, if these cobblestones could talk, oh, the stories they'd tell!

Read More

  https://www.exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/parks-outdoors/pack-square-park/
Place #2
Distance: 0.04mi , Attraction : Monument (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Vance Monument
Alright, let's turn our attention to the towering granite obelisk right here in Pack Square: the Vance Monument. This imposing structure stands 75 feet tall, dedicated to Zebulon Baird Vance, a native son of Buncombe County who served as North Carolina's governor during the Civil War and later as a U.S. Senator. Vance was a complex figure, celebrated for his wit and oratorical skills, and often seen as a champion of North Carolina's rights. The monument itself was initiated by the Zebulon Vance Monument Association in 1897 and completed in 1898, designed to honor his legacy and mark his enduring significance to the state. For well over a century, it stood as an unquestioned fixture in our city's skyline. However, in recent years, like many monuments across the South honoring Confederate figures, it has become a focal point of intense debate and protest regarding its presence in a public space. Discussions have centered on how to reconcile historical memory with modern values, particularly concerning Vance's ownership of enslaved people and his role in the Confederacy. In 2020, following significant public pressure and protests for racial justice, the city and county began a process to address the monument's future. While it remains standing for now, the conversations surrounding it are a powerful reminder that history is not static, and how we choose to interpret and display it is an ongoing, evolving process. It’s a stone sentinel that sparks important conversations about who we remember and how.
Please follow the navigtion out of the park and then right on Court Plaza.

Read More

  https://www.exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/history-heritage/vance-monument/
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Pack Square Park
Map Pin Place 2 Vance Monument
Map Pin Place 3 Buncombe County Courthouse/Asheville City Hall
Map Pin Place 4 Pack's Tavern
Map Pin Place 5 Jackson Building/Childhood Statue
Map Pin Place 6 French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Map Pin Place 7 Asheville Art Museum
Map Pin Place 8 Prichard Park
Map Pin Place 9 Woolworth Walk
Map Pin Place 10 Flat Iron Building
Map Pin Place 11 Grove Arcade
Map Pin Place 12 Asheville Pinball Museum
Map Pin Place 13 Basilica of Saint Lawrence
Map Pin Place 14 Lexington Avenue
Map Pin Place 15 Mellow Mushroom
Map Pin Place 16 Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historical Site
Map Pin Place 17 Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar
Map Pin Place 18 Biltmore Avenue
Map Pin Place 19 Fine Arts Theatre and Blue Spiral 1
Map Pin Place 20 The Orange Peel



This is a premium tour, click below for complete access!

 
How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.