From Staff Reports

Asheville was the only North Carolina city to make the cut in a recent U.S. News & World Report story about the �Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA.�

Asheville captured the No. 3 spot on the list �  just behind Sonoma, Calif., No. 1; and Breckenridge, Colo., No. 2.

While the city has experienced a surge in tourism in recent years, reaching nearly 11 million visitors last year, the ranking is likely to trigger an even larger turnout of tourists.

The U.S. News & World Report ranking detailed many of the reasons why.

THe magazine described Asheville as a �quaint mountain town. Hipster haven. Beer City USA. Outdoorsman�s retreat. College town. Bluegrass home. Culinary destination. Try as you might, it�s impossible to give Asheville just one label. Located in western North Carolina just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the city is an unexpected gem, where a vibrant arts scene intertwines with Southern traditions and beautiful scenery. It�s safe to say, no matter what your interests, Asheville has something to offer you.

�While history buffs get lost on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, epicureans can sample from a culinary smorgasbord and test their taste buds at one of the city�s many breweries.�

What�s more, it touts the River Arts District as a destination for �culture hounds,� and it suggests adventure seekers can �go full-throttle hiking, biking, zip lining or whitewater rafting in one of the numerous parks and forests.�

�Asheville meshes together these personalities to make something uniquely its own, with an identity that is always changing, but somehow stays true to its roots,� it reads.

The magazine chose cities from places with a population of �fewer than 100,000 that offer plenty of restaurants and attractions, plus have a unique character all their own.�

To rank its list, the magazine analysed all small towns in America with a population of less than 100,000 that offer a wide range of restaurants and attractions, plus have a unique character all their own.

Asheville also was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 20 in Best Places to Visit in the U.S. �  just behind Seattle (No. 19) and Yosemite (No. 18).