From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville was named the No. 1 Best Wellness Town in America for 2026 by EatingWell magazine in late June.

“The city secured the top spot due to its exceptional air quality, walkability, farm-to-table dining, and conscious living. Furthermore, the recognition highlights the area’s incredible resilience and rapid recovery following Tropical Storm Helene,” AI Overview noted. 

“Asheville’s identity as a wellness destination is deeply rooted in its history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the mountain air was considered a curative environment for respiratory illnesses like tuberculosis.

“Wealthy individuals flocked to luxury sanatoriums to recuperate, eventually transforming the city’s reputation into a mountain sanctuary focused on holistic health.” 

Following are reasons cited for Asheville topping the 2026 list by EatingWell magazine:

• Conscious and plant-based food: Experts like Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist, praise Asheville for blending conscious, plant-based living with exceptional culinary flavor. 

• Outdoor access: Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city offers immediate access to the North Carolina Arboretum and an abundance of outdoor recreation without leaving town. 

• Distinct spas and sanctuaries: The area is known for unique relaxation experiences, including subterranean spas and specialized salt cave sanctuaries. 

• Energy vortex: Many wellness-seekers are drawn to Asheville due to its reputation as a regional geographical energy vortex. 

The 2026 award carries extra significance given the widespread flooding in the River Arts District from Hurricane Helene in 2024. 

The designation reportedly honors the incredible resilience of local artists, business-owners, and non-profits who rallied together to rebuild Asheville’s wellness, hospitality and art scenes.

As for whether Asheville truly deserved the designation as the top wellness town in the nation, AI Overview stated, “Yes, the reputation is well-earned. Asheville was awarded the title of the No. 1 Wellness Town in America by EatingWell. 

“Its unique blend of outdoor recreation, holistic therapies, and plant-based conscious living routinely places the city at the top of national health and lifestyle lists 

The city’s wellness standing is backed by the following key pillars:

• A century of healing: Asheville has been a mountain spa escape since the late 19th century when doctors first sent patients there for the restorative mountain air. Today, this legacy lives on with state-of-the-art spas, such as the subterranean Omni Grove Park Inn and holistic wellness centers.

• Outdoor access: Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city scores high for air quality, walkability and deep-nature access. Places like the North Carolina Arboretum provide immediate, year-round access to walking and biking trails.

• Conscious dining: Asheville “punches well above its weight” for a city its size when it comes to farm-to-table dining and plant-based food scenes, according to EatingWell.

From a critic’s standpoint, AI Overview noted, “While outlets like EatingWell frequently name Asheville, N.C,. the top “Wellness Town” in the U.S. for its conscious living, plant-based dining, and mountain air, critics—including tourists and frustrated locals—disagree. 

“They argue the city has become overpriced, congested and stressful, lacking the true tranquility a wellness destination should provide.”

Among the specific criticisms leveled against Asheville’s status as the nation’s No. 1 wellness status are the following:

• Overtourism and traffic: Many visitors and residents complain that heavy traffic, limited parking, and bottlenecked roads make the city far from relaxing.

• High cost of living: The booming tourism economy and influx of remote workers have driven up the cost of living and housing, making it difficult for many to get established or afford the local lifestyle.

• Safety and ifrastructure: Following the economic and post-storm struggles, some visitors and business-owners have noted an increase in public panhandling, encampments, and an unsafe environment in the downtown core.

• Quirkiness vs. reality: Long-term residents and local publications often point out that mainstream “quirky” or “health-focused” articles are sometimes lazy, over-promising the vibe, while ignoring everyday Appalachian realities.