From the world-famous Biltmore Estate, to a variety of wineries, and a multitude of outdoor adventures including the Blue Ridge Parkway, it would seem that Asheville has it all. Tourism has been on the rise in Asheville for decades, attracting visitors and new residents from all walks of life. But one of the things we like about it best is that it is considered to be the North Carolina hippie town that sets the trend for the freestyle lifestyle!

The city of Asheville was incorporated in 1797.

In the 1860 U.S. Census a mere 502 residents lived in Asheville. Fast forward a century to 1960, and the population had swelled to 60,000 residents. Today you'll find over 94.000 happy residents like us!

Now, cue the nationwide hippie movement.

It began in San Francisco in the mid 1960s and quickly swept to other parts of the nation, including Asheville.

Today, Asheville is as much a city as it is a state of mind.

The come-as-you-are and be-as-you-are attitudes are part of what makes this city so popular with North Carolina residents and visitors alike.

Since the start of the hippie movement, Asheville has grown and so has its niche Bohemian enclave.

Lexington Avenue and the downtown arts district have always held arms wide open to everyone. Several annual events invite you to join in as well. Take a look:

Asheville Mardi Gras is a season of events heating up the winter days and nights in January and February each year.

The annual celebration brings communities together with parades, pin making parties, the Queen's Ball and more. The annual parade is always the second Sunday in February.

Asheville's downtown sidewalks and parks are commonly filled with street musicians and artists.

For example, the first Sunday in September the city celebrates them with the Living Asheville Arts Festival on Lexington Avenue. Folks from all cultures pile into downtown to live it up and celebrate the arts.

The Asheville Yoga Festival is always the last weekend in July.

Here, hundreds of body-bending, spiritual yogis converge on the San Francisco of the East for three days of togetherness.

As a spectator not participating in the festival, you never know what you'll encounter during the Asheville Yoga Festival.

But one thing we know for sure: it is asways awe-inspiring.

The hippie movement inspired everyone to just be themselves.

In a way, that philosophy rings true in Asheville more than any other city in North Carolina. Each year, on the last Saturday in September, Downtown Asheville welcomes the Blue Ridge Pride Festival celebrating the LGBT community.

The hippest town in North Carolina is also the most hippie town in the state.

But there's more to admire about Asheville than just this cultural niche.

One of the best ways to explore the city is be embarking upon a tour.

You can ride a fun and informative trolley tour by going to the Asheville Visitor's Center.

Whatever flavor you are, or are looking for...

...the city has something to suit your fancy. Asheville hippies welcome you!

For more information, be sure to check out the Explore Asheville website, as well as the Explore Asheville Facebook page.

Have you ever been to this hippie town in North Carolina? If so, did you get to interact with any Asheville hippies? What were your favorite things about Asheville? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

If you're interested in making a weekend trip to Asheville, you might and want to stay at the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown.

To see more of beautiful Asheville, check out this time lapse video.

For more Tar Heel State adventures, take a look at this video about Clingmans Dome: