LaZoom is the most Asheville way to see Asheville. The company has been running its purple bus around town for close to twenty years, and the formula has barely changed: instead of a recorded commentary, a live guide and a cast of performers mix city history, local gossip and sketch-style comedy while the bus rolls past downtown landmarks. The signature ride, Hey Asheville, runs about 90 minutes and is aimed at ages 13 and up, so it works for teenagers and adults rather than small children. It departs from the LaZoom Room at 76 Biltmore Avenue, where you can buy beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks before boarding and carry them onto the bus with you. That small detail sets the tone: the tour is a party on wheels, but it still teaches you something. You will hear how a spa town for Gilded Age invalids became a magnet for artists and brewers, where the Art Deco skyline came from, and which corner of town the locals consider the weirdest. It is also a sensible first-day orientation. After ninety minutes you will have a mental map of downtown, a few restaurant ideas and a better sense of the city's sense of humor. The company also runs an adults-only comedy ghost tour called Ghosted, a three-hour live-music brewery ride for ages 21 and up and a kids' comedy tour for ages 5 to 12, so you can match the ride to the group. Practical note: the tour schedule and seasons change through the year, so check the operator for the dates that suit your trip.
Why it works
A bus tour lives or dies on its guide, and LaZoom treats the ride as theater. Expect costumes, characters and a fair amount of audience participation, though the performers read the room and nobody is forced onstage. The humor is local and a little irreverent, which is exactly what first-time visitors often want after a day at the Biltmore. If you prefer a quieter introduction, a walking tour or the downtown self-guided Urban Trail fits better; if you want something silly, this is it.
Making the most of it
Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early so you can buy a drink at the LaZoom Room and choose a seat. Seats near the front give the clearest view, and the bus has a loud, lively atmosphere, so it is better for groups than for anyone who wants a silent scenic drive.
Weekday departures are often a little calmer than weekends. Because the tour is a loop around the center of town, it is also a good way to decide which neighborhoods you want to return to on foot, from the South Slope breweries to the shops around Biltmore Avenue.
Practicals and fit
The LaZoom Room is at 76 Biltmore Avenue, downtown, within walking distance of many hotels. Hey Asheville is for ages 13 and up and lasts about 90 minutes. Ghosted is for ages 17 and up, and the music and brewery tour is for ages 21 and up. Fit: first-timers, friend groups, couples who like a laugh, and travelers who want a fast orientation before exploring on their own.
What to expect
The experience
A live comedy sightseeing ride on a purple bus around downtown Asheville, with performers telling city history and local stories. Drinks and snacks bought at the LaZoom Room can come aboard.
Best time
Early in a trip, as an orientation; weekdays are usually calmer than weekends.
How long
About 90 minutes for the Hey Asheville tour.
Tips
Arrive early to buy a drink and pick a seat. Hey Asheville is for ages 13 and up. Check the operator for the current schedule, which changes by season.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A funny, fast introduction to downtown Asheville.
- Families
- Best with teens; the kids' comedy tour is a separate ride for ages 5 to 12.
- Couples
- A lighthearted start to a weekend, then dinner a short walk away.
- Pair with
- Downtown Asheville, the Grove Arcade and a South Slope brewery stop.
- Time needed
- Two hours including boarding.
Good questions
How long is the LaZoom comedy tour?+
The signature Hey Asheville tour runs about 90 minutes. The adults-only Ghosted ride is about an hour, and the live-music brewery ride is about three hours.
Is it suitable for kids?+
Hey Asheville is for ages 13 and up. LaZoom runs a separate comedy tour for ages 5 to 12, and Ghosted and the brewery ride are for older age groups.
Where does the tour leave from?+
The LaZoom Room at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville.
Can I bring drinks on the bus?+
Yes. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks bought at the LaZoom Room can be taken on board.
Does it run year-round?+
Schedules vary by season, so check the operator for dates before you plan around it.
