Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Asheville can be called a small and charming city or a large mountain town depending on who you speak with. Asheville’s uniqueness comes from its eclectic and dynamic art scene, its friendly locals, great food scene, and the beauty of the natural treasures that surround the city.
Whether you are looking to explore the downtown area, filled with unique shops, museums, incredible restaurants and local breweries, or you want to experience thrilling outdoor adventures such as hiking, whitewater rafting, biking, or simply want to take in the beautiful scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a city that offers it all. If you are ready for an unforgettable vacation experience, then pack your bags and check out this amazing list of activities waiting to be experienced when you visit Asheville, North Carolina.
Discover Downtown Asheville and Beyond
Any trip to the Asheville area should start with discovering the hidden gems of its Downtown. While there are many lodging options in the surrounding mountains, staying in Downtown Asheville will put you right in the center of it all. With a walk score of 91 out of 100, Downtown Asheville is a walker’s paradise. Many of the best things to see and do in the Downtown area can be done in a day or two. leaving plenty of time for you to enjoy all the area has to offer.
1| Walk Asheville’s Urban Trail
Walk The Urban Trail, a 1.7 mile walking trail that winds its way through the streets of downtown, taking you past 30 marked spots important to the history of Asheville. Each stop features a different landmark statue or sculpture showcasing several larger-than-life historical characters that helped shape Asheville’s rich history. Begin your journey in front of Pack Place located on Pack Square, where you will find plaque #1 “Walk Into History”.
2| Go on a street art safari:
A fun and free activity is to discover the city’s the amazing street art murals found scattered through out the downtown area. If you love street art, then Asheville will not disappoint.
3| Shop ’til You Drop
Make sure you save a little time to do some retail therapy in one of Asheville’s fabulous boutiques, vintage shops, or specialty retailors. Some of our favorite shops include: Lexington Glass Works, Loft of Asheville, The Chocolate Fetish, Mary’s Mountain Cookies, and Madame Clutterbuckets Neurodiverse Universe.
4| Grab a cocktail at the AC Hotel’s roof top bar
The AC Hotel’s roof top bar is the perfect place to unwind and relax after a day of exploring the mountains. Enjoy a cocktail as you take in the expansive views of the city on their outdoor lounge area complete with chic firepits and unique conversational areas. It is an Asheville hidden gem.
5| Visit A Museum
Asheville is home to several unique museums, each highlighting a different facet of the city’s history. They are definitely worth a visit and are the perfect activity should you need a rainy day activity.
- Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 North Market Street: This museum is the childhood home of American author, Thomas Wolfe. House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. It is a fascinating look back in time. Admission is $5 adults; $2 students; ages 6 and under Free.
- Asheville Art Museum, 2 Pack Square: Visitors will be fascinated by the Asheville Art Museum’s outstanding collection of 20th and 21st century American art. The numerous exhibits and programs highlight the richness of Western North Carolina’s unique art history. Open daily, except for Tuesdays; admission varies from Free to members up to $15 per person for non-members.
- Asheville Pinball Museum, 1 Battle Square, Suite 1-B: This first-come, first-served museum is a fun and interactive experience not to be missed. With 75 combined pinball machines and classic video games, visitors can play as long as they like for only $15 pp.
- Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, 111 Grovewood Road: Located just outside the city center, this museum will have hearts revving for car enthusiasts. This prized collection of antique and vintage automobiles transports visitors back in time. Free admission, but a $5 donation is suggested.
6| The Grove Arcade
Built in 1928, the Grove Arcade was America’s first indoor shopping mall. Today, it is filled with independent shops and restaurants. This gorgeous historic building should be on your list of things to see and do when exploring Asheville.
7| Asheville’s Drum Circle
Every Friday night from April through October, Asheville’s Pritchard Park comes alive with rhythmic beats from its famous drum circle. Located at the intersection of Patton Avenue and College Street, anyone can join in, just bring your drum, or simply dance and sway the night way with the locals.
8| Hop–On/Hop-Off Trolley Tour
If you are looking for a fun and relaxing way to explore Asheville, there is no better way to explore the city than by taking the Grey Lines narrated trolley tour. Hop-On/Hop-Off at 10 different stops along a 15-mile route. Cost is $37 for a 90-minute round trip tours. See everything from the Biltmore Village to the hip River Arts District and more.
9| Orange Peel
If you are into music and live shows, The Orange Peel, Asheville’s premier music venue is the place to go. Not only that, it happens to be ranked as one of the top 5 Rock Clubs in the U.S by Rolling Stone Magazine.
10| River Arts District
No trip to Asheville is complete without visiting Asheville’s River Arts District. This eclectic area is comprised of 23 former industrial and historic buildings that have become converted into art studios and shops. The area stretches for a mile along the French Broad River and visitors can see live demonstrations and view a mixture of art from dozens of artists.
11| Check Out A Few Craft Breweries
Asheville is the beer capital of the Southeast with more breweries per capita than anywhere in the US. Be sure to check out local breweries such as Wicked Weed Brewery, Burial Beer Co., New Belgium Brewing Co., Highland Brewing Co., Green Man Brewery, and The Funkatorium. Another great way to get your brew on is to go on a guided brewery tour, sample a beer flight, or take a behind the scenes tour at one of the many breweries that offer visitors an educational side of Asheville’s craft beer business.
12| The Biltmore Estate
If you are visiting Asheville, then the premier attraction not to miss is the Biltmore Estate. This national treasure is the largest private home ever built in the U.S. The iconic castle in the mountains was built by George Vanderbilt and has 250 rooms in a 175,000 square foot home — that’s over 4 acres under one roof! In addition to touring the home, visitors can explore 8,000 acres of gardens, 20 miles of walking trails, visit a winery, and more. Prepare to be astonished as you step back in time to the gilded age.
13| North Carolina Arboretum
Located within the boundaries of Pisgah National Forest, this must explore nature center features themed gardens, hiking trails, a visitor’s center, a miniature railroad, amphitheater and more. If you want to experience a bit of outdoor nature and manicured gardens, without having to hike through the mountains, then a trip to the North Carolina Arboretum should be on your travel itinerary. Hours vary depending upon the time of year, and there is a parking fee of $20 per standard vehicle that grants access to the entire complex.
14| Blue Ridge Parkway
Known as one of America’s most picturesque drives, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds its way through 469 miles of Virginia and North Carolina mountain towns. Mile post 384 is the Blue Ridge Parkway’s main visitor center. If you plan to drive a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are several attractions within 20 miles of of downtown Asheville that are worth seeing. Mount Mitchel State Park, the highest point east of the Mississippi river, can be accessed by car and is a 29-mile scenic drive from Asheville’s downtown. Other notable spots to see close to Asheville, include Craggy Gardens and the Folk Art Center.
15| Craggy Gardens
Open from May through October, Craggy Gardens gets its name from the rocky, twisted, and jagged “crags” as well as the extraordinary trees that are bent into interesting shapes. Located at mile marker 384, visitors who come during the months of June will be able to see the famous pink and purple rhododendron flowers in full bloom.
16| Western North Carolina Nature Center
Located just west of the Downtown area is where you will find Western North Carolina Nature Center – a zoo with more than 60 animals species and outdoor exhibits. Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 4:30 pm, admission $13.95 adults/$9.95 children under 12.
17| Chimney Rock State Park
Located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, Chimney Rock State Park offers visitors spectacular views, an elevator to the top of its namesake Chimney Rock Peak, exhibits, facilities, hiking trails, waterfalls, and more. There is a fee to enter the park, $17 per adult and $8 per youths under age 15 (under 5 free).
18| Pisgah National Forest
Known for its spectacular beauty and unique natural attractions such as sliding rock (a natural smooth rock slide 60 feet long which deposits you into a pool of cool water) and looking glass falls, Pisgah National Forest boasts 250 miles of hiking trails, water falls, picnic areas, and camp sites, all in a 500,000 acre natural wonderland. Pisgah National Forest is one of Asheville’s top tourist attractions.
19| Adventure Sports
If revving up your thrill level is on your Ashville travel itinerary, then you won’t be disappointed with all of the active adventures waiting you. Whitewater raft or kayak on the French Broad River, visit Tree Tops Adventure park for an exhilarating zip line experience, bike along the French Broad River Greenway, or take in an afternoon of fly fishing or golf. There are no shortage of outdoor activities or reputable tour companies to choose from.
20| Lake Lure Boat Tour
If you are looking for a different type of adventure, then a relaxing boat tour on Lake Lure might be just the thing you’re looking for. Less than an hour drive from downtown Asheville, Lake Lure Boat Tours takes visitors on a tour of the town’s namesake lake. Tours open at 11:00 am and depart at the top of every hour. Tour operators give visitors the opportunity to learn the fascinating story of how Lake Lure was created and take visitors past the locations of some of Hollywood’s top film locations, such as Dirty Dancing and Fire Starter.
Are there only 20 top things to see and do in Asheville? No. There are hundreds of possibilities of things to do that make Asheville a must visit destination. So pack your bags and head to the mountains and discover the reasons Asheville is a destination that can’t be missed.
If you’ve been to Asheville, what was your favorite thing to do? Leave us your recommendations in the comments section below and we will be sure to check it out on our next trip. As always, hit the “Like” button, “Tweet”, “Link”, “Pin”, or share this list with your friends who are planning to visit this amazing city.
1 thought on “20 Things That Make Asheville North Carolina A Must See Travel Destination”