04-07-2025
This NC town is ‘on the rebound' — and ranks among nation's best places to visit
A North Carolina city is 'on the rebound' — and ranks among the nation's best places to visit.
Asheville is No. 3 on a list of destinations boasting scenery, activities and restaurants that make them some of the most interesting places for travelers to check out in the country, according to results updated in late June.
'Surrounded by stunning landscapes, packed with entrepreneurial talent and evolving with the tastes of the people who settle and explore them, these destinations show off what makes the United States so distinctive,' CNN Travel wrote in its report.
To determine the best towns to visit, the website said it asked readers and contributors to nominate places across the country.
'We considered hundreds of candidates and winnowed the list to 10 by evaluating the finalists' attractions, food and beverage offerings, cultural and nightlife scenes, diversity, sense of identity, proximity to other interesting spots and 'wow factor,'' the website wrote. 'We also looked at travel essentials, including lodging options and the ease of getting there.'
Why Asheville ranks as a top travel destination
On the list of top vacation spots, Asheville was the only place in North Carolina to rank in the top 10. CNN Travel said the city ranked high for its 'scenic setting, dining and drinks, outdoor access' and art scene, adding to its legacy of being a mountain getaway destination.
'Last year, Hurricane Helene's destruction knocked Asheville off its stride,' the website wrote in its report. 'But the storm has unified this resilient community more than ever. And Asheville's mountain views, scenic trails, vibrant neighborhoods, lively arts scene and delicious food and drinks are all still here for you to enjoy.'
In a write-up about the Asheville area, CNN Travel said the hurricane closed parts of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and unleashed catastrophic flooding in low-lying parts of the River Arts District. But several attractions — including the iconic Biltmore Estate — are welcoming visitors as Western North Carolina rebuilds.
'Just get back up here, spend money,' Brad Childers, general manager of the Asheville-area restaurant Hell or High Water, told the outlet. 'We're open, we're ready. Everything is still gorgeous. These mountains are still here — they're not going anywhere.'
The city isn't a stranger to being recognized as a fan-favorite destination. Earlier this year, it was named one of the nation's best places for beer lovers and one of the South's top cities, McClatchy News reported.
In the more recent rankings, the No. 1 place to take a trip was Ithaca, New York, a roughly 55-mile drive southwest from Syracuse. Rounding out the top five:
Missoula, Montana, at No. 2Bend, Oregon, at No. 4Annapolis, Maryland, at No. 5
CNN Travel didn't share additional information with McClatchy News on July 3.
