Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is hard to beat for access to the outdoors. The North Carolina city, however, is much more than just a pretty vacation town with extraordinary views. Asheville, above all, is notable for the individualism and inventive spirit of its inhabitants, which is reflected in its booming arts, business and restaurant scenes.

Asheville has an enduring music legacy that stretches far beyond its traditional mountain music and bluegrass roots. Today it is a city with one of the most vibrant music scenes in the US and is a place where bands flock to perform in its iconic venues and record their albums at one of the many studios in town.

Asheville is a mecca for lovers of the outdoors, offering thousands of miles of hiking trails, pristine forests and heart-racing adventure in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, which include some of the highest mountain peaks in the eastern US.

Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other US city – craft beer-making is part of the independent-spirited lifestyle here. But Asheville isn’t just about beer, it is also home to an ever-growing list of cocktail and wine bars.

Asheville has become a gastronomic centre that rivals some of the biggest cities in the US. There are 15 food folk and businesses in the city here that have been nominated for prestigious James Beard Foundation awards.

From advanced manufacturing to the life sciences, Asheville is a business and entrepreneurial hub with a strong focus on innovation. Aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, is set to open a new Asheville site in 2022, creating jobs for more than 800 people, and the city’s notable industries include climate and environment research, technology, craft, outdoor products and recreation – the latter a particular growth area.

Completed by George Vanderbilt in 1895, the Biltmore Estate remains as grand today as it was in its heyday. Now the public can enjoy the majestic views, vast library and manicured grounds of the largest privately owned home in the US.

Asheville is known for its luxuriously appointed and warmly welcoming hotels, which range from sprawling resorts with mountain views to sleek downtown towers. And now that the city has become a hot spot for hosting conferences, it’s perfect for both work and play.