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Termed as one of the most beautiful places in the USA , the Botanical Gardens at Asheville are a delightful mix of habitats for different species of flora. Horticultural displays range from trees to flowers, including many local varieties of plants for a more personal and tailor experience. Address: W T. Waterfall-lovers will enjoy the Pisgah Ranger District, experienced hikers may love the Grandfather Ranger District, and horseback riders will enjoy the Appalachian District, which is further out and away from the city.
In your exploration of this natural Asheville location, you can go on guided hikes or participate in programs that change seasonally. Day-use areas are scattered throughout the forest, with amenities and options to keep the whole family busy.
Trails, swimming spots, boat ramps, showers, and camping areas are all available to use and try out. All in all, there is plenty to do — but do note that you need a camping permit if you want to set up camp here! What better way to get a taste — pun intended — of this town than through Asheville Food Tours? You will visit seven different locations, each one wisely selected, from normal eateries to food stores and to fancy restaurants.
Have you ever wanted to forage for your own food, but have been too anxious to start because of hygiene or safety? No Taste Like Home can give you the perfect opportunity for such activities. At No Taste Like Home, expert guides bring you through a forest area that is truly quintessential Asheville. As far as Asheville attractions go, No Taste Like Home is not very typical, but you can probably see the great appeal to it!
Wacky hijinks ensue throughout the ride as the bus shows you what to see in the downtown portion of Asheville — edutainment at its finest! Expect silly slapstick comedy, ridiculous costumes, and jokes throughout each ninety-minute bus ride. The big purple bus is here to make an impression and it will certainly do just that while managing to teach you about history, too! The Craggy Gardens are a delightful spot that offers the best things to see for plant-lovers and nature enthusiasts in general, especially those who love rare plants.
More than 20 threatened or endangered flora types are grown and displayed here in these amazing Asheville, North Carolina gardens. The trees are quite unique thanks to the high winds faced in this part of Asheville, which means they only have vegetation growing on one side of them and they never get very tall.
The Moog Factory is home to the Moog synthesizer, a big brand that left a large imprint on the world of entertainment and music composition when it emerged in the s. The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa is considered one of the places to visit for relaxation in Asheville, thanks to being famous not just in North Carolina but all across the nation for being one of the most highly-rated spas of its kind. The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa has steam rooms packed with relaxing scents, contract pools to relax in, and lounges by fireplaces, all provided for on a huge service menu.
The design of the spa is pretty impeccable and fun, with a 6,star ceiling made with fiber optics, music that plays underground, and two waterfalls. This history gives the spa some added meaning, especially when you catch little bits and pieces of that old history within. Massages, foot soaks, and other relaxing services are provided to help you enjoy peace and serenity during the more hectic periods of your holiday.
Furniture in the form of plush chairs and sofas let you lounge while treatments are provided in rustic but equally opulent bowls of copper, handmade. Water is perfumed with delightfully calming fragrances that engage the senses without overwhelming them. Despite having only a population of 90,, it has multiple beer breweries and factories that provided unique, expertly crafted drinks special to the local area.
One brewery to stop by is Wicked Weed , which has a delightful Funktorium taproom praised for its industrial-chic charm. It specializes in sour beers and has a gift shop where you can purchase beers by their pH level and barrel type.
Head down to the Pack Square Cultural District, which is where all the art of Asheville comes together. The intimate setting of the seat establishment and the wide variety of performances make this a wonderful place to catch something exciting that everyone will enjoy! The Asheville Urban Trail spans 1. The tour is self-guided and takes you through five different eras in time, ranging from the very beginning of the Gilded Age to the current age, called the Age of Diversity.
It takes about two hours to complete the self-guided tour, which feels a little like a scavenger hunt in many ways. The one sculpture you must make a point to find your way to with the tour travel guide is the Flat Iron Sculpture, named after the Flatiron building, by local artist Reed Todd. It was set up in as a bit of a joking nod to the flatiron buildings popping up in the early s. This sculpture is a part of the Asheville Public Art Collection and is known in North Carolina for its unorthodox, tongue-in-cheek nature!
Designed by Rafael Guastavino, a Spanish architect who worked on the Biltmore Estate, in , it is a mark of the 20th-century prosperity that the city and its wealthiest residents enjoyed.
Guastavino worked with fellow Biltmore architect Richard Sharp Smith to create what he felt the city needed: an opulent and grand Catholic church. Religious artifacts live inside, from German stained glass windows to Italian statues and even a marble frescoed high altar.
Keen to explore other areas of North Carolina? Why not check out some of the places to visit in Greensboro, NC? The reason Pink Dog Creative is one of the best artistic Asheville attractions is that artists here open their studios for two days every week. It is an interactive location that is one of the most fun things to do in Asheville, North Carolina. It showcases artifacts and information regarding the life and times of Bob Moog, or Robert Arthur Moog, who had a huge impact on the electronic music scene with his synthesizers.
He would also invent concepts for the synth, like envelope generation, voltage control, pitch wheel, and modularity — all key fundamentals now! Moog began working on his synthesizer back in and it quickly skyrocketed to popularity — especially in , when it was used in a Grammy-winning album. Moog passed away in and, a year later, his family established the Bob Moog Foundation to retain and pass on his legacy. Exhibits are interactive and involve multiple senses, with visualization showcases, playable exhibits, and educational info about how electricity can make sound.
For unique activities and unorthodox stuff to do, check out the Asheville Mystery Museum. It is made from a collection of curiosities set up by Joshua P. Warren, a paranormal investigator whose name you may recognize from his fictional counterpart in The Conjuring series of horror movies. This museum in North Carolina shows off photographs of alleged paranormal activity, exhibited items and memorabilia that tell the tales of said paranormal activity, and plenty of interesting creepy artifacts.
It is said that a woman named Helen once lived either at the mansion or close to it with her daughter, who she loved dearly. Thomas Wolfe actually included the bridge in his famous novel, Look Homeward, Angel, because he walked under it so often in his youth. It was created thanks to John Andrew Rice, who had been dismissed from his Florida teaching spot in an allegedly unjust manner. At this time, the Nazi Party antagonism led to intellectuals fleeing Europe as the Great Depression swung harder than ever.
Rice and some European artists found themselves with a similar goal, and they holed up in this little wooded area of Asheville. Since then, it has relocated and grown to encompass 6, square feet, with two floors, a library, and a bookstore.
Exhibitions showcase all sorts of historical, meaningful works and rotating events are often fun and unique. The museum is housed in an old hotel that is actually on the National Register of Historic Places. It is home to over 20 classic arcade video games, 30 vintage pinball tables, and it charges only one fee for you to enter and play many of them!
Each and every single machine has a plaque that contains product information and stories about its impact on the world of gaming. The goal is to provide Carolina-style barbecue authentically in Asheville in a modern and more fun manner. It focuses on smoked wood-cooked whole-hog barbecue, including chicken, pork, ribs, and even catfish. All sorts of side dishes from the south accompany the mouth-watering meat that gives you the lovely taste of Asheville and its surroundings.
Biltmore Industries has a storied past, as evidenced by the fact that so many things connected to it are among the best things to do in Asheville. The company produced some of the finest wool not just in North Carolina, but in the world, and it was extremely renowned internationally.
The company first began with the goal of teaching children weaving and woodworking before growing from an education center to a production business. The Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum celebrates this legacy in an educational way full of activities. It showcases wool, original machines and equipment, suits, fabrics, and more that belonged to this prestigious company. The community had been fighting against development in order to preserve their neighborhood for years, and this garden was meant to be a peaceful response to the troubles they and other neighborhoods near to them faced.
Now, though, it has two flower gardens, two vegetable gardens, a fire pit, and pizza oven, a stage, a pavilion, a greenhouse, and lots of sculptures and art have turned it into quite a stunning location. Or, ride the steam train throughout the year for lunch or as part of their special wine adventure.
Outdoor enthusiasts head to Bryson City for white-water rafting, ziplining, and of course, hiking the Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala National Forest. One of the closest cities to Asheville, Weaverville is just slightly north of the city and only a 10 to minute drive. In fact, if you are coming from Downtown Asheville, take Merrimon Ave all the way there. Read more about what to do in Weaverville.
Are you hoping to explore more of the best lake day trips from Asheville? And, where can you find a bridge filled with vibrant blooms while getting your Dirty Dancing on? Lake Lure has so much to offer and is one of the best towns around Asheville if you are craving that lake and cabin lifestyle.
Spy herbs, flowers, and furry critters as butterflies and birds sail past you. Chatty volunteers are always planting, weeding, and designing new creative garden spaces. Then, walk Morse Park for beautiful views of the lake. If it is summer, hang out at Lake Lure Beach or rent a boat. NC is home to tons of great filming locations.
Baby carried that watermelon here and look back to many dancing scenes. We cannot leave out those quirky small towns near Asheville, and in , Hot Springs registered about inhabitants. Asheville to Hot Springs is just under a minute drive, and Hot Springs promises to live up to its namesake. Along with the resort and spa, enjoy basic camping cabins, tent sites, and full RV hookups, which is perfect since Hot Springs is one access point for the infamous Appalachian Trail.
Find the sweetest library too. Nearby, continue along the Appalachian Trail at Max Patch. Also within Arden, head to Lake Julian for another popular recreational lake. Enjoy horseshoe pits and a playground. Rent paddle boats or play disc golf. Arden has some of the most kid-friendly activities around Asheville , too, including Launch Trampoline Park and Lakeview Putt and Play.
Asheville to Arden is about a minute drive. When considering relocating to Asheville , many people look at homes in Arden as it is largely residential.
For more cities near Asheville, Fletcher is similar to Arden and has one of our favorite wineries , Souther Williams. What is one of the best cities near Asheville for waterfalls?
In the summer, visitors and locals flock to Sliding Rock to slide down the foot, natural waterfall slide into a chilly pool of water. Looking Glass Falls is a popular roadside waterfall that freezes in the winter, and Daniel Ridge promises challenging mountain biking trails.
After a day of Asheville hiking , head to Downtown Brevard for food and beer. Brevard has fun brewery options , too, like Ecusta and Oskar Blues. Brevard One of the best small towns near Asheville — well, technically a village with a population under 3, people as of — Flat Rock is home to history, apples, and hiking.
Asheville to Flat Rock is about a minute drive, and Flat Rock and Hendersonville pair well together while you are in the area. Flat Rock Playhouse showcases musicals, concerts, and plays. Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which is one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes. The Reservation, also known as the Qualla Boundary, holds 57, acres of land.
On your way into the Smokies, climb the steps to stunning Mingo Falls , and pop into the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to get your bearings. While not the largest tourist destination, Mills River is a popular place to live and is most well-known for its cidery and breweries.
Sierra Nevada has a massive brewing facility in nearby Fletcher, which you can tour. We like to drop in here with hungry airport guests and try all of their beer while gorging on duck fries. Just down the road, Bold Rock is equally famous as one of the best cideries and has the most unique cider flavors.
Across the street, find Mills River Brewing — a more local brewery with camping vibes and food. Another one of the famous villages and small towns near Asheville, Chimney Rock lands on every Asheville bucket list of the best things to do. Chimney Rock State Park is home to a million-year-old monolith that sits 2, feet above sea level. Visitors may hike or take an elevator to the rocks. Hickory Nut Falls is an easier waterfall hike, and Chimney Rock — as a whole — is a family-friendly hiking spot.
There are admission fees to enter Chimney Rock State Park, and winter is the best time to visit to avoid the crowds. On your way out, explore Chimney Rock Village. Walk the short but picturesque Rocky Broad Riverwalk. Grab lunch — with gluten-free buns — at Old Rock Cafe.
For ice cream treats, dip into the Village Scoop. For boozy travelers, Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery offers local brews along the river and Burntshirt has a wine taproom. Asheville to Chimney Rock is about 45 to 50 minutes, and if you are hoping to explore multiple towns around Asheville, visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure together.
Tired of generic Asheville travel itineraries? Experience Asheville like a local with our free Asheville Favorites checklist, including restaurants, breweries, and hiking. Plus, get local updates — including events and hidden gems — straight to your inbox. Sign up here. Lincolnton is one of those cities near Asheville that we just happened to wander into and now love.
And, not too many tourists head into Lincolnton. The perfect stop if you want to grab food on your way to or from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Lincolnton is east of Asheville and slightly north of Charlotte. Asheville to Lincolnton is about a 1 hour and minute drive — also making it one of the furthest cities on this list.
Stop in Lincolnton for the cafes, bookstores, woodfire pizza, and a walkable downtown filled with old school murals. Get lost in North State Books. Asheville to Waynesville is about a minute drive, and if you are starting at Lake Junaluska, Asheville to Lake Junaluska is an easy minutes. Like many of the other mostly Western North Carolina towns on this list, Waynesville promises a unique downtown filled with beer, food, and shops.
Things to Do, Attractions & Activities in Asheville | Asheville, NC’s Official Travel Site.38 Best & Fun Things To Do Asheville (NC) – Attractions & Activities
We may earn a commission from affiliate links. Asheville, in the far west of North Carolina, has a different pace from the state’s bigger urban centers of Charlotte and Raleigh. Thanks to its proximity to the mountains, it is an ideal base for excursions on the Blue Ridge Parkway and into the Great Smoky Mountains.
The city has become well known for its vibrant culinary scene and continuously thriving artistic community. You won’t be at a loss for things to do when visiting Asheville.
The city is full of interesting attractions, the premier one being the Biltmore Estate , home of the Vanderbilts. Many points around the city have magnificent views of the mountains, including southeast of Asheville at Chimney Rock. Blue Ridge Parkway. October, when the leaves are colorful and picturesque, is peak season for the parkway and one of the best times of year to visit the Great Smoky Mountains.
But if you prefer smaller crowds, plan a trip in early to mid-summer to view the blooming rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and flaming azaleas. You can enjoy the scenic vistas from the road and its many pull-offs, or consider taking a closer look by exploring the hiking trails that wander through the surrounding countryside and the Southern Appalachian mountains.
The mountains around Asheville are also home to some of North Carolina’s most beautiful waterfalls. If you are visiting in the heat of the summer, be sure to bring your bathing suit and water shoes to take a refreshing dip in the cool waters. Those who aren’t driving or simply want to get a more enriching experience will enjoy the 5-hour guided hiking tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls.
Led by an expert local guide, this tour includes transportation to and from Asheville, refreshments, and the opportunity to see several waterfalls while learning about the area’s history, flora, and fauna. Biltmore Estate in Asheville. At the center of this 8,acre estate is Vanderbilt Mansion , the largest private home in the United States. The mansion alone encompasses four acres and features rooms — bedrooms and 43 bathrooms. In addition to admiring the artwork, antiques, and impressive architecture in the home, also leave time to stroll through the gardens and River Bend Farm.
Be sure to set aside plenty of time to fully explore the estate. For an additional charge, you can get a guided tour, which shows parts of the estate that are not open to the public, as well as a tour that highlights the estate’s extensive sustainability efforts. If you want to make this the focus of your trip, consider a stay at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, one of the top resorts in Asheville. Official site: www. Downtown Asheville. The funky, artsy, and eclectic downtown area of Asheville has a friendly, Bohemian vibe.
Street performers of all kinds, from mimes to musicians, frequently make appearances. Feel free to join in the regular drum circles that take place at Pritchard Park every Friday night and spontaneously on other nights throughout the summer.
If you don’t want to participate, just stand around and enjoy the entertainment. You can also explore the historic Urban Trail , a 1. If you are looking for that special souvenir that captures the spirit of Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains, be sure to stop in at The Grove Arcade.
This wonderfully restored building dates from and is full of unique shops. In the evening, try and snag a spot on the patio of one of the many fine restaurants lining a full city block, and engage in some serious people watching. Downtown Asheville is a good place to stay if you want to enjoy the city. You can park the car and walk everywhere if you base yourself in the city center.
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is a acre facility dedicated to educating the public about the area’s varied animal life and natural habitats.
Indoor exhibits include resident reptiles and amphibians; small mammals; and the World Underground exhibit, which explores what lies beneath. The Nature Center is a fun family destination with a focus on natural play.
Outdoor play areas offer all kinds of interesting and engaging natural things to do that will appeal to kids of all ages. Kids can also try their luck at finding that special rock at the gem and mining sluice for an additional fee. After exploring, take a rest and catch one of the many animal programs that let you get up close with snakes, turtles, and even otters. Outdoor exhibits include a variety of habitats, which are home to native species like otter, turtles, endangered farm animals, raccoons, and foxes.
The Appalachian Predators habitat is the park’s largest, housing a bobcat, coyotes, grey wolves, and the critically endangered red wolf. The nature center also has a hiking trail suitable for all ages, and offers special programs and events throughout the year. Walking around, touring studios, and grabbing a bite to eat are three of the best things to do in the RAD.
If you need a signature piece of art, this is the place to come. Innovative artisans from around the country descended on this area and have made it a hotbed of craftsmanship. Over artists work in various mediums including, but not limited to, metal, pottery, paint, glass, and paper. The area hosts Studio Stroll Weekends, and a free trolley runs on certain Saturdays.
Something is usually going on, so check their website for the latest news. Bonsai Tree at the North Carolina Arboretum. The North Carolina Arboretum features over 65 acres of cultivated gardens, which are home to a diverse range of plants. The Heritage Garden will be interesting to those who want to learn more about traditional uses for plants, including medicinal and functional applications, and the Quilt Garden is maintained in homage to Appalachian quilting traditions.
This acre natural escape offers outdoor activities and 10 miles of hiking trails, and the center offers guided trail walks, self-guided mobile device tours, and geocaching.
The arboretum also hosts traveling exhibits and special events. Old covered bridge in the Botanical Gardens of Asheville. For another escape in the natural world, the Botanical Gardens of Asheville are a series of immaculately tended gardens bursting with color and scent. The horticultural displays focus on local flowering plants and trees, many of which are unique to the state.
The gardens are open year-round, but peak bloom seasons are generally during mid-April and mid-August. Families will want to stop at the visitor center to pick up Investigation Passports for the kids, a fun way to engage younger ones in learning about the plants they will see. There are also classes and topic-focused walks put on throughout the year for varied ages. This non-profit organization is free and open to the public, so be sure to stop by the on-site gift shop for a memento.
The Pisgah National Forest covers more than , acres and is one of the first designated national forests in the country. Within the park, there are multiple day-use areas that offer a variety of amenities and activities, including swimming, trails, and boat ramps.
Multiple camping areas are also found throughout the park. Visitors will find numerous geological landmarks including Table Rock , the Chimneys , and Linville Gorge , as well as the Forest Discovery Center located near the town of Brevard.
Other highlights include guided nature hikes and seasonal interpretive programs and activities like horseback riding, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and rock climbing. Expanding on the scenery of the Blue Ridge Parkway , the National Heritage Area includes the communities and scenic byways, which add to the area’s cultural richness.
In addition to scenic drives, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities, the area has a myriad of things to do. Within driving distance of Asheville, you’ll find farmers markets, local festivals and events, theaters, and gemstone quarries. There are also several opportunities to learn more about the history and culture of the Cherokee and other natives who first occupied the land. During peak tourist season, there is a Cherokee Bonfire series and Cherokee Artisan shows, and in the town of Cherokee, you can find a museum dedicated to the culture, as well as the Oconaluftee Indian Village.
The antebellum mansion currently functions as a history museum, restored with period furniture from the 19th century and decorative arts. The elegant brick building was once also the home for local mayors and a Civil War major. The childhood home of the famous American author, this Victorian house is the former Old Kentucky Boarding House, once operated by Wolfe’s mother.
The house is featured in several of Wolfe’s works, most notably the largely autobiographical Look Homeward, Angel. Pack Place. It is a center for Asheville’s flourishing artistic and musical pursuits. Among these attractions, you will have your pick of art, science, and performing arts. The Asheville Museum of Art focuses on American pieces from the 20th century onwards.
At the Colburn Earth Science Museum, topical and science-focused exhibits are often hands-on making them ideal and engaging for kids. And the Diana Wortham Theatre holds regular performances, spanning dance, theater, and music. Craggy Gardens. Being home to some 20 endangered or threatened varieties of flowers, Craggy Gardens is the perfect stop for anyone interested in rare plants.
Check out and photograph the whimsical, wind-bent trees that grow on the mountain, and during June and July you will find purple rhododendrons in full bloom. Because of the high winds, trees rarely grow very tall here and only produce vegetation on the sheltered side of the tree. Amenities include free parking, a picnic area, restrooms, and dog-friendly grounds. Hot Air Balloon over the picturesque countryside. For a different perspective on the North Carolina landscape, why not get a bird’s-eye view from the sky or the treetops?
Quiet and serene, hot air balloon rides offer a unique way to see Asheville and the surrounding countryside from above. There are multiple tour operators to choose from, and there are also several options for thrill-seekers who want to experience a zipline canopy tour.
Autumn is a particularly popular time of year for both activities, when the forest canopy is ablaze with vibrant foliage. Make sure to take and hold tightly onto your camera.
Chimney Rock. Twenty-five miles southeast of Asheville, Chimney Rock State Park features its landmark namesake: a foot solid granite spire that rises over 2, feet. Don’t worry, you don’t need to climb to the top, visitors of all physical abilities can reach the top thanks to a story elevator built inside the mountain.
Families will enjoy a variety of kid-friendly activities, including the educational Great Woodland Adventure Trail, the Animal Discovery Den, a kids’ climbing tower, and scavenger hunts. Another popular sightseeing spot in the park is reached via the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. The moderate, mostly level trail leads to the base of the foot Hickory Nut Falls.
For boaters, Lake Lure is the destination of choice.
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