The Asheville Urban Trail is 1.7 mile walk & self-guided tour through the city streets with 30 stops highlighting some history of the city.

Join me and my canine companion Greta von bon on a February day downtown for a preview of what you’ll experience on the walk.

Here we go…

 

surprise sidewalk art containing bronze combs– objects from O. Henry’s famous story “The Gift of the Magi”

 

details of the Drhumor Building

 

Not an official stop on the urban trail, you will nonetheless pass the Asheville Art Museum.  Here it’s seen decorated with basketballs and materials made to resemble grape vines (fun!).

 

No longer in operation, the S & W Cafeteria still inspires with its Art Deco architecture by Douglas Ellington.

 

A pretty S & W Cafeteria mosaic on a city wall that was crafted in Venice, Italy.

 

Me and Greta by the big iron– a well-known piece of Asheville street art sculpture that was designed by local artist Reed Todd made to resemble the type of flat irons that were once used in the city in times past.

 

And while the big iron is hard to miss, if not for the urban trail map I never would have noticed these mysterious cat sculptures that blend so seamlessly into the backdrop of the streets.

 

Not officially a part of the urban trail but prominent along the way– some fun grafitti.

 

Peering through a glass etching of the original architectural plans for the Grove Arcade.

 

A view of the historic Grove Arcade as it’s seen today.

 

the Basilica of St. Lawrence

 

metal street art of ladies shopping

 

And this concludes our urban trail preview.  Hope you enjoyed the mini tour.

I want to know- have you experienced the Asheville Urban Trail? Or does your city have something similar? Tell me in the comments below!