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Even better, mid-summer is when a lot of blooming flowers can be seen dotting the parkway, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and laurels. A trip to the River Arts District is a must-do for artists and art enthusiasts. True to the free-spirited nature of Asheville, the River Arts District is made up of 22 buildings of historical or previous industrial purpose. A cotton mill, a tannery, and all sorts of other fascinating spaces by the French Broad River fill the district with an old-fashioned atmosphere, offset by the modernity of the art found.
Walking through the River Arts District will let you feast your eyes on works created by over different artists, ranging from paintings to ceramics and from photography to textiles. Even hand-crafted jewelry and more lovely souvenirs can be found here, and you might get to meet some of the artists behind them! Local artists enjoy talking about their work but take note of studio operating hours if you want to meet them.
Studio Strolls is an exciting event where a free trolley service takes guests across multiple different studios, all open for the special occasion! Looking for one of the best places to go on vacation? No trip to Asheville is complete without a stop at Biltmore Estate.
It is cited as the biggest privately owned house not just in North Carolina, but in all of the country. The home eventually expanded its uses, with a winery being built in the s and hotels being set up in the s. Finished in , it boasts an opulent French Renaissance design and a whopping rooms, including 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms. Many secret passages hidden behind trick doors are scattered about the home, some of which are available to tour.
Meanwhile, the outside consists of 8, acres of garden, with 2. Each season hosts different events, ranging from regal Christmas displays to beautiful spring blooms. Essentially, the Folk Art Center is an eclectic exhibit of all sorts of arts and crafts made locally, not just from Asheville but across the Appalachian region. It was created during the Great Depression in in order to help create a market for artists and their work across the area — though it does have roots all the way back to the s.
The goal of the Folk Art Center is to promote handmade works that combine traditional and contemporary elements, some dating all the way back to the 19tch century.
Three galleries showcase all sorts of handicrafts, ranging from sculptures to woodworking, from paintings to glass, and from quilts to jewelry. There are also demonstrations of crafts that have almost been forgotten since they were brought down from mountain tribes, such as broom-making, cabinetry, and weaving. The facility covers 42 acres and is dedicated to an educational mission: to teach the public about the habitats, diversity, and variation of the everyday life of mammals in Asheville and beyond.
The indoor exhibits of the nature center include small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and the very interesting World Underground exhibit that discusses what exists beneath the ground. The outdoor exhibits, on the other hand, are dedicated to local species, like foxes, turtles, raccoons, otter, and even endangered farm animals.
Events are hosted every now and then throughout the year, and a hiking trail spans the grounds of the center so you can take a nice hike and enjoy the natural atmosphere.
Wolfe spoke of the home unflatteringly: a cheaply-made house, as he called it, with dirt yellow paint and a broken-down look. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial, housed in that former boarding house, is amazing for fans of the novel because of the accuracy with which he described each room. The Grove Arcade was one of the first indoor shopping malls in all of the country, which makes it a unique mix of historical and fun on this list of places to go in the city of Asheville.
The Gray Line Trolley is an amazing way to see all the tourist attractions and activities that the city has to offer. Grovewood Gallery is housed in a building that was once the woodworking and weaving factory for Biltmore Industries — a name you likely remember from another one of the places to visit in the city of Asheville, Biltmore Estate.
Now, Grovewood Gallery is home to crafts of all kinds from contemporary artists, both local to North Carolina and from all across the country. More than creators have their work on display here, and there are sculpture gardens outside that promote a peaceful and calming environment. Visting other areas of North Carolina? This group of drummers gathers every week without fail — except in the winter — in Pritchard Park. While there, together, they perform an impressive set of impromptu jams that fill the park and the areas near it with joyful music.
They bring dunduns, djembes, congas, shekeres, and other percussion instruments to create catchy beats and flowing rhythms. Usually, a crowd of interested audience members and excited dancers will slowly gather to join in on the fun and entertainment. 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. But as we soon discovered, this goes beyond the stuffy quiet halls of a museum. This is a living breathing local art space that invites interaction, sparks curiosity, and feeds creative inspiration.
From the coffee to urban wine, restaurants and skate parks, creativity is the focus of the River Arts District in Downtown Asheville. In its various mediums and form, art adorns the walls, murals form the backsplashes to bars, and graffiti wraps around the revitalized warehouses and brick buildings of the region. This is not just one or two buildings dedicated to celebrating local artisans and a vibrant community spirit, but blocks of it that run alongside the French Broad River.
The district is divided into hubs that take up a block or two. Each hub is identified by a color, which is on the signs and map for each corresponding area. Great news. Our kids loved this district too, even our teen, Kalyra. You know a place is good if it captures the attention of your teen. But since Asheville is brimming with independent shops, a grounded mountain energy, and a spirit of fun centered around entertainment and good food, I was happy wandering up and down the streets for hours.
I was very surprised at how much the downtown Asheville shopping scene had to offer. There are several main streets in Asheville with an interesting store every couple of steps.
What I loved about shopping in Downtown Asheville was discovering the different vibes each street had. One of my favorites was Lexington Avenue where yuppy hip crossed with punk grunge in a way that works. Here are a few of the stores I loved. I still did not get to see many, so please leave in the comments your tips for my next Asheville vacation.
Element Tree Essentials was my favorite store in Asheville. I could have spent hours in here and bought one of everything. Do you love bees? Get buzzing over to the Asheville Bee Charmer store 2 locations downtown. Down the back is a honey tasting bar, where Bee-ristas take you on a sweet and spicy tasting adventure around the world from local sourwood honey to firecracker hot. Your tastebuds will be buzzing Beelicious!
Not only does it support the local economy, BUT it supports your own body. Since bees are local pollinators, the raw honey produced from them can help your body adapt to the environment, build up immunity, and help ease those seasonal allergies! I loved walking through the door on Lexington Street to a room filed with crystals, mandala tapestries, tarot cards, jewelry and books on mystical living.
Earth Magick has created a sacred space supporting local artisans by selling their handmade tools and empowerment pieces from Asheville and surrounds. I know sometimes you want to avoid souvenir type shops for fear of entering tacky-ville, but the Asheville Emporium has a surprising number of cool local gifts. The perfect kind of travel souvenirs. They also have a section at the back where they print their own T-shirts, so cool to see that set up.
Swoon chocolate lovers. Asheville is filed with scrumptious local, hand crafted chocolate. Learn more here , and here is a 3 hour option. Explore popular, off-the-beaten-path, and the best things to do in Asheville, NC — from locals.
What is there to do for fun in Asheville? The best things to do in Asheville are endless. As residents, we are always finding new places to explore.
There are unique beer flavors to try and vibrant street art. We even have a mural for The Dude. We are hiking obsessed. Chasing waterfalls never grows old. You can slide down waterfall rocks and kiss a dragon tree on its snout. Stop at a scenic overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fall in love over a picnic on top of a mountain summit.
Plus, Asheville has a rich and scandalous literary history, hipster music scene, and historic downtown filled with unique gems. Old school candy store, anyone? For fun things to do in Asheville, imagine playing vintage pinball machines and video games all day long. We even have distilleries serving up bookish libations and a champagne bookstore. For more boozy things to do in Asheville, the endless local craft beers will quench your thirst. What we personally love to do in Asheville is see a more comedic version of Shakespeare in the Park surrounded by fireflies.
Eating is a serious thing to do in Asheville. Think cider donuts in Apple Alley. We have a new food hall. Uncover just a few Asheville activities and attractions on our WNC bucket list, too. Find both huge Asheville tourist attractions as well as more local Asheville fun. This is our home, after all, and we want you to love it too! Be sure to check out our Asheville Events Calendar.
This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We update our guides frequently, but activities and events may be seasonal or change frequently. We usually write our lists a little biased: The things we love to do in Asheville involve hiking and drinking.
Besides drinking beer by the river, one of the absolute best things to do in Asheville is to hike. As locals, what are our favorite treks? Pink Beds is perfect for nature lovers. Be sure to check out our master guide of the best Asheville hiking trails. When looking for more of the best outdoor things to do in Asheville, NC, you cannot miss visiting the waterfalls.
Hop on this 45 mph, two-lane road and explore all of the waterfalls, hikes, and scenic overlooks. Drive through the mountains via tunnels, and know that this area turns into a mural of vibrant eye candy in the fall. In the spring and summer, the Parkway fills in with gorgeous wildflowers and rhododendrons.
The BRP is a dream for bikers and motorcyclists. Find romantic fog, artists and birdwatchers pulled over at designated spots, and happy wildlife. Keep in mind, though, that many parts of the BRP close in the winter for ice. In the late spring, one of our favorite things to do in Asheville involves walking along the French Broad River and completing a few brisk loops in the local parks. Find a bike lane and a gorgeous walking path. Climb the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at Mount Mitchell with an elevation clocking in at feet.
You can see all of your favorite mountains from afar. 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. If you love mountain biking , the Blue Ridge Mountains are your home away from home.
We are not expert mountain bikers, by any means, but we do love hitting the trails. Living in Asheville, we have transformed into professional picnickers.
You can either pack a picnic for your hike or enjoy something lighter by a lake. For easy picnics, head to a winery like Stone Ashe Vineyards.
Grab our full list of the best Asheville picnic spots. With acres of streams, nature trails, bridges, and spots perfect for picnicking, this lesser-known gem is also a refuge for endangered wildflowers. Pack a blanket and bring a book! This holiday lights display is truly one of the best winter things to do in Asheville. From November to January 1st, the Arboretum lights up its gardens with innovative creations, wildlife exhibits, and lights that dance to music.
Of course, you can see Bonsais, butterflies, and their famous Quilt Garden. You must pay a small parking fee to enter the grounds. Does Winter Lights sound magical? Read more about all of the best spots to catch Christmas lights in Asheville. Are you looking for things to do in Asheville where you can meet the furry Western North Carolina locals in a safe environment instead of on the trails or our front steps…?
The center also houses snakes, turtles, hawks, goats, frogs, and donkeys. Find plenty of exploration stations and themed playground areas for the littles — spider-web jungle gym included.
Wide and paved walking paths are extra stroller-friendly. After hours, stroll the grounds with a beer or cider in hand. Enjoy local eats too. Like The North Carolina Arboretum, there is a small entrance fee. Or, become a member. One of our top weekly things to do in Asheville, we love walking the 2-mile Perimeter Trail around Beaver Lake and dip into the Bird Sanctuary.
Beaver Lake is perfect for a stroll after a North Asheville lunch or dinner. Bring a book and some binoculars. The Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary houses a. Birdwatchers can spy hawks, osprey, herons, vultures, kites, sparrows, woodpeckers, ducks, wrens, swallows, warblers, and bluebirds. Although Beaver Lake is privately owned, the area is open to the public and free. Please consider leaving a donation in the parking lot box, though.
One of our top recommended things to do in Asheville is enjoying the three or four waterfalls at DuPont. Triple Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are famous. We suggest parking in the Hooker Falls Access Area. If you still have energy, walk under the covered wooden bridge to Bridal Veil Falls, which adds 4 more miles to your hike. If you need lunch afterward, drive minutes to nearby Hendersonville — another one of our favorite towns.
Asheville sees the most visitors in the fall and around the holidays. The leaves! Growing up in CT, we thought New England was the boss of fall foliage.
41 Fun Things to do in Asheville, NC & Best Places To Visit – OBP
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– Coolest places in asheville nc
Keeping your adventure to or within the vicinity of Asheville gets you to the Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, and the Folk Art Center – and two. For hiking picnics, we love Max Patch, Bearwallow Mountain, Bridal Veil Falls-DuPont, Trombatore Trail, and Black Balsam. Grab our full list of.
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