US News & World Report recently published its list of the top 15 best small towns to visit in America and one North Carolina town made the cut.
Asheville, NC was ranked as #3 in the nation, just below Breckenridge, CO (#2), and Sonoma, CA (#1).
They described Asheville as a “Quaint mountain town. Hipster haven. Beer City USA. Outdoorsman’s retreat. College town. Bluegrass home. Culinary destination. Try as you might, it’s impossible to give Asheville just one label. Located in western North Carolina just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the city is an unexpected gem, where a vibrant arts scene intertwines with Southern traditions and beautiful scenery. It’s safe to say, no matter what your interests, Asheville has something to offer you.”
To rank their list, the magazine analysed all small towns in America with a population of less than 100,000 that offer a wide range of restaurants and attractions, plus have a unique character all their own.
Their specific metrics included:
- User score, based on website votes.
- Editor’s score, based on categories ranging from sights and culture, to people and romance, shopping, food, nightlife, adventure and more.
- Seasonality, based on the best time of year to visit a place.
- Affordability, based on seasonal averages.
Asheville was also ranked by US News as the #20 in Best Places to Visit in the USA, just under Seattle (#19) and Yosemite (#18).
What do you think about Asheville, North Carolina?