The Asheville Comedy Tour Bus Loved by Locals. Have Some Fun!
LAZOOM COMEDY BUS TOURS ASHEVILLE, NC
Do you want to get to know Asheville and experience the most entertaining bus tour in town?
The LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour is definitely the way to go. Our hotel guests receive the special "Play Like a Local" rate when they book a City Comedy Tour online at La Zoom Tours. Use Promo Code: Local3
1. LaZoom City Wide Comedy Tours: "Historical and Hysterical".
As an Asheville local, I have been watching and waving at the big purple bus for years. Like so many locals, I tend to shy away from touristy stuff, that is, until one of my local friends went on the bus and insisted I go. She said, "I laughed my #$* off and learned a thing or two.
If you have not been on the purple bus, it's time. Jump on Asheville!
I met my co-worker Mark on a Tuesday afternoon for a 4:00pm tour. We have been researching fun things for our hotel guests to do. Special "unstuffy, keep Asheville weird, ultra unique" things to do.
We really had no idea what to expect. All I knew is what I had read online about Jim and Jen Lauzon, the owners of LaZoom Comedy Tours. According to Creative Mornings Asheville, "they were just a pair of crazy-in-love street performers until they found their first bus, colored it purple and pursued their wacky dream of combining street performance art, comedy, and city touring".
2. The LaZoom Waiting Room.
In March of 2017, Jim and Jen opened a pop-up bar called the LaZoom Room. It is a funky and artsy waiting room for the bus tours, but also a hang out spot that serves beer and wine. The bar is open every day 2-10 p.m. They also offer live piano music from 5-9 p.m. At present, all LaZoom comedy tours depart from this temporary 76 Biltmore Avenue location.
The first person to greet me upon entering the La Zoom waiting room and bar was this charming fellow!
Meet Donald, one of the happiest bartenders that I have ever encountered. Joy seems to run amok in this company. Anyway, he made me feel right at home and assured me that drinking plenty of beer and wine is strongly encouraged throughout the 90 minute tour. The bus even makes a 10 minute stop at a local brewery half way through. Had I not been on assignment...
It's theater, it's history, it's improv, but most importantly, It's a party!
When we arrived the LaZoom Room was packed with people waiting for the bus. Getting a nice shot of the room nearly uninhabited took some finesse. As you can see, the Lauzon's have really captured the personality of our fair city. Keeping it weird and funky...
Jim and Jen Lauzon describe their temporary pop-up as an "otherworldly transportation station" with "just a hint of promise that all buses are going to an alternate universe".
I feel very lucky to have experienced the LaZoom Room before it closes.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to get in on a special moment in Asheville's history. The LaZoom Room's short term lease ends February 1, 2018.
3. Time to Get On the Bus Darlings!
What is not to love about a bus with a face and giant red lips. We all packed into the open air bus designed for interaction with the streets and the characters of downtown Asheville.
Meet our tour guide Miss "Cookie". Here is an utterly charming and charismatic young lady.
Or not?
My co-worker Mark captured this lovely stunt. "Way to go buddy!" Did I mention that he was the first on the bus to receive a nickname? Cookie took one look at Mark and yelled out, "Hey Picnic"! You see, earlier that morning, when he was getting dressed for work, Mark decided that a blue and white checked shirt was the way to go. Years of office fun on the way. PricelessI thank you Miss Cookie. Bye, bye Mark. Hello, "Picnic"!
Aside from being a performance art based tour, the guides really have amazing improv skills. Cookie had a quick wit and poked good fun at the guests. I did notice that she showed an extremely honed restraint when it came to surly, "hangry" teenagers, most of whom, eventually snapped out of it. Please do bring snacks parents!
Here is my good friend "Picnic" busy at work. His new name alone was worth the price of admission, but I digress.
The CityTour wound its way through downtown Asheville and neighboring historic districts. There were tons of interesting facts and beautiful examples of early 20th century architecture. I made some notes from street signs for neighborhoods that would be great for strolling later on. I had a difficult time looking outside the bus. Taking my eyes off Cookie was challenging. I was mesmerized and enchanted by her over the top, outlandish performance. I learned so much about my home city and quickly forgot most of it. What I did not forget was the fun I had, the abundance of slap stick humor and witty remarks and, of course, the slew of characters jumping on and off the bus.
All and all, I give the experience a hearty thumbs up and a five star rating!
Ask the Front Desk About 4 available tours to choose from:
City Comedy Tour is an historical and hysterical introduction to Asheville and its most interesting neighborhoods. The 90-minute tour has a 10-minute break at a local brewery where you can buy wine or beer to enjoy on the tour. Adults ages 13 and up only. $26/person.
Haunted Tour features Asheville's sordid past. Spooky guides uncover mysteries and tell chilling tales on this 60-minute night tour. You will see ghosts! Adults 17 and up only, $23/person.
Band & Beer Bus Tour is a party on wheels with live music and 30-minute stops at three breweries. Your MC will entertain with fun facts about the local beer scene. They run Saturdays 2-5:15 PM and some Fridays 5:30-8:45 PM, for adults 21 and up, $31/person.
Kids Comedy Tour is for all ages with entertainment geared to 5-12 year olds. The 60-minute tour is a show on wheels. Runs mostly on Saturdays. $16/person ages 4 and up. 3 and under free.
A Note from the Holiday Inn Biltmore East
We are so pleased to have you as our guest at the Holiday Inn Biltmore East. When you get back to the hotel let us know how your day went. Our front desk personnel and our restaurant staff look forward to seeing you. We are available to answer your questions and make recommendations. See you Soon!
