LaZoom Comedy Sightseeing Bus Tour

Downtown Asheville with a live comedian on board

⏱ 90 minutes👤 All ages$$

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.