Asheville itself is firmly in the small-city status, especially during the summer when its population of 94,000 swells to much more due to the presence of many tourist visitors.
There are more than enough small mountain towns close to Asheville, NC, to give you a taste of the country life without being too far from the amenities of the city.
Being so close, you can still spend a day or two in the city of Asheville proper while making your main home base one of the towns close to Asheville. Here are some great options!
One of the main locations for the Nantahala Outdoor Center is in Bryson City, making it a destination for rafting and whitewater kayaking enthusiasts and newbies alike.