RAD Rising: From Flood to Flourish – A tip-based RAD walking tour
Badge of Excellence
Asheville, USA
- 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Take a walking tour in the River Arts District, or RAD, with a local guide by booking this walking tour. You'll start at Magnetic Theatre and make your way down Depost Street, where you'll stop to check out a gallery. You'll also visit a coffee shop, a taqueria, a music venue, and watch a glass-blowing demonstration.
- Visit the River Arts District with an enthusiastic local guide
- Morning and afternoon tours are available
- Snacks will be provided
- Pay what you want with this tips-based tour
What's Included
- Entrance to venues, tastings, and live demonstrations
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Trackside Studios375 Depot St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Outside of the studio is where we will meet. I recommend parking at the free parking lot right beside the studio. Also if you want to park at the end, you can park at the visitor center in the river arts district at 3 River Arts Place.
End point
- Warehouse Studios170 Lyman St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
We will end near warehouse studios after a brief walk near the river
Itinerary
1
Trackside Studios
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
The Grey Eagle
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
362 Depot
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Lexington Glassworks
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 39 reviews
Chris_M, Jun 2025
David was extremely knowledgeable about the RAD history and musical history in Ashville. Loved seeing artists at work and talk with them. Bring your credit card because you’ll want to purchase some of the art you see in the studios.
Emily_B, Apr 2024
I bought this for my parents as a Christmas present. They loved it. It was just the 2 of them on a private tour with David. Even though they live near Asheville, they still learned so much about the history and the art industry. They were very appreciative!
Alexandra_G, Dec 2023
Dave was an excellent guide. He explained us the history of Asheville and guided us through the district with nice stories and introductions to artists
Beautiful area
Highly recommend the tour and Dave as a guide
Thank you
Stewart_G, Oct 2023
We especially loved the history of the area. The guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. Recommended
Jazzmine_B, Dec 2022
Wonderful experience. We ended up being the only ones on the tour and got a personalized experience. We usually go to art museums at each city we visit, but this was so much better as in multiple galleries we got to meet the artist and get great details about their work. Only thing we missed is being able to see some glass blowing but didn't take away from the great experience. They do recommend $30 tip per person although you can give what you want, but for some it is good to know in advance
Caroline_R, Oct 2022
Dave was so knowledgeable and entertaining. With only a day in town gave me a great history lesson and tour of amazing artists !
Lisa_F, Sep 2022
We enjoyed meeting and talking at length with various artists and learning some about Asheville's history. David, our guide was excellent.
Seeta_Z, Oct 2021
David was a great guide- he was super easy going, very knowledgeable, and accommodating. We were 3 very different groups- from the 3 largest cities in the US (NY, Chi, LA) and David managed the personalities in the most excellent way. We loved the historical references, coupled with art & restaurant info!
Marla_L, Oct 2021
Our tour guide David was amazing that’s why I am giving it a average view. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. The downside is that for $180 on a Monday where we were told oh this is closed and that is closed I do not feel to walk around and be educated on the Riverwalk was worth $180 plus tip.
Especially since we signed up for the tip base tour for free and it was canceled
Response from Host, Oct 2021
I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour guide David! I am sorry that you did not enjoy the private tour you took. The reason we don’t have public tours on Monday is because many places are closed on those days, which is what I tried to explain when we spoke on the phone. We offer private, paid tours on days where guests prefer the exact day they sought rather than the days that are best for the area
Robert_C, Jul 2021
Neat tour seeing areas of Asheville we would probably have never found ourselves. Great tour guide and lots of great history of the River Arts district
Jenny_T, Jul 2021
Enjoyed seeing this area. Four miles is too long to walk but we did stop for bathrooms and breaks. Too much focus on tour partners but enjoyed the free samples. Tour guide was dressed in too tight leggings and gave too much personal information. We should have seen a little more art. Repetitive script that omitted discussing the plant life.The concept of this tour is good but the tour needs revision.
Response from Host, Jul 2021
I am sorry to hear you were not satisfied with your experience. I know that the 3 mile tour can be long for some but glad the breaks were helpful and that you enjoyed the samples. We do work hard to let you know about all of the wonderful businesses and artist in the area so that you know where to visit once you are finished. We are not able to discuss everything we see (I.e. plant life) because we don’t want the tour to last too long but I know there are some nature tours in Asheville that would be happy to emphasize those aspects of our city.
Asghar_S, Jun 2021
Jordan was a great tour guide and we enjoyed each stop, as well as the snacks, coffee, and water from local businesses. The heat made the long, mostly outdoor tour kind of challenging.
Brian_A, May 2021
A highlight of our trip to Asheville. This was akin to a modern history of the area. Very informative and interesting.
Terence_S, May 2021
Interesting walk thru a very unique area of twin in transition. Easy walk with tastings and ability to visit open galleries. Maybe due to COVID, we were not able to enter most galleries, which would have the walk more enjoyable. Jordan and Crissie are very knowledgeable about the area and provided recommendations on additional activities in the city.
Response from Host, May 2021
I am glad you found the tour interesting! We try to stop into a few galleries and not all of them to give you an idea so that you can go back and visit the ones that most interested you. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in the RAD and the discounts we provided for you
From $5.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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RAD Rising: From Flood to Flourish – A tip-based RAD walking tour
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