About Asheville
Sitting blissfully between the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina lies the humble and quirky city of Asheville. Asheville is truly a hidden gem of the eastern United States with miles upon miles of open land and forest, and a lively outdoor scene with breathtaking daytime and nighttime views. There are also dozens of highly beloved and quality restaurants and local breweries throughout Asheville, as well as many outdoor venues for outdoorsy activities from river sports to biking trails.
Whether you’re looking to get off-the-grid in a rigorous mountain hike or relax in one of the city’s historic parks, Asheville is the ideal place for a low-key birthday event. And with many eclectic venues and local services, it might be the best place of all to host one.
- Fun fact
Asheville’s popular art scene and unique architecture attract many people from all over. In fact, you’ll find a number of art studios and galleries throughout the city that showcase its talented creative community.
Birthday Party Options in Asheville
- Decorations
Every birthday party needs a grand set of colorful streamers and stunning balloon pizzazz. So why not engulf your celebration with one of many local and professional decoration experts who’ll surely bring your party’s theme to life.
- Equipment rentals
Your guests, and the designated birthday person, will need an ample amount of seating arrangements and tabletops for catering, gift station, and eating spaces. Fortunately, Asheville’s equipment rental services can cover everything from AV to tenting and staging.
- Florists
North Carolina is home to a number of native North American flora like ferns and irises that release pleasing aromas and vivid colors. Partnering with Ashevilles’ local florist community can bring the same scents and colors to your birthday party.
- Transportation
Downtown Asheville is generally walkable, but many choose to play it safe with cabs or ride-share apps. And you’ll find a few limousine services in the city as well.
- Custom cakes
Finding the perfect cake is, quite literally, the cherry on top for any fabulous birthday celebration. Luckily, there are many boutique bakeries throughout Asheville that can bake you one spectacular cake.
Event Planning Companies in Asheville
- Events by Kiersa
Events by Kiersa specializes in all things events––from corporate gatherings to grand milestone birthdays. They can help with everything from budget management to vendor negotiations, and have won several awards from WeddingWire and The Knot. Look to Events by Kiersa to provide an original and stress-free birthday party.
- Asheville Event Co.
Asheville Event Co. is one of the most well-known event planners in North Carolina and its surrounding areas. The full-service event planning team works closely with their clients, to put on small (or large) intimate gatherings, and to provide stunning service paired with a seamless experience. Their experienced planners can tackle everything from the creative process to the logistics behind your birthday event.
- Party Perfect Asheville
For a simple yet meaningful approach to birthday parties, Party Perfect Asheville is a must-book for all of your birthday party needs. They cover all of the fun things that kids love; mascots, balloon artists, facing paintings, and more. With over 15 years of experience, they’ve developed a strong reputation for being a party-planner go-to, and can ensure your birthday is as fun as it is unforgettable.
Pros and Cons of Birthday Parties in Asheville
Pros
- Outdoor space
From small parks to the rolling hills of Asheville, there are tons of comfortable and open outdoor spaces ideal for birthday parties and fun.
- Arts hub
Asheville is a lively city full of artsy-attractions, including the Biltmore Estate, which features a number of fantastic pieces from within its castle-like walls.
- Great dining
Asheville is known for its many great-tasting and unique restaurants that line the city. You can find everything from American to Thai and Mediterranean to Indian dishes throughout the city - perfect for catering your party.
- Happy hours
Asheville is also known for its wide variety of breweries at tap bars that entice those looking for a refined taste in ales. You and your guests won’t have trouble finding a happy hour for the after-hours party.
- Mild weather
Compared to the rest of North Carolina, Asheville’s weather is milder compared to neighboring cities. Humidity, heat, and chill factors are less sporadic.
Cons
- Crime
Asheville’s crime rate is one of the highest in the nation, unfortunately.
- Large spread city
The city is a collection of several smaller cities that are interconnected, thus making travel time and destination seeking a lengthy process.
- High cost of living
Asheville has had a gradual climb in housing costs in recent years, therefore increasing the price of many of the city’s services.
- Tourism traffic
Although North Carolina isn’t many people’s first choice for vacations, the beautiful mountain ranges and the diverse city welcomes many tourists to the area which unfortunately causes an influx in traffic in many smaller communities.
- Landlocked
You’ll likely have to commute 2 to 3 hours driving to and from Asheville from neighboring cities like Charlotte and Atlanta.
Famous Birthday Party Locations in Asheville
- River Arts District
The River Arts District of Asheville is a creative space that preserves the city’s talented artists in all avenues of expression. There are over 200 artists that work in the RAD, and the local architecture (and art) is a perfect medley of historic and modern creativity. From metalwork to painting, the River Arts Districts will definitely have at least one point of interest for every birthday party guest.
- The North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum has one of the largest biodiversity spaces in the Asheville area. The 434-acre green space is home to hundreds of different breeds of plants and animals that live simultaneously with the thousands of park visitors. With rotating exhibits in a well-kept garden, the arboretum has hosted visitors for over 30 years, and is a great spot to relax and explore after a lively birthday party.
- Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is a beautifully designed chateau built in the late 1800s. Once the largest privately-owned estate in the U.S. (built by and for George Vanderbilt), the estate is now one of the most well known tourist destinations in Asheville, and has regular tours, its own winery, several spas, and many kid-friendly play areas. The 8,000-acre destination also takes advantage of its vast land by hosting outdoor group activities, pleasant dining experiences, and outstanding scenic views, perfect for post-party photos!