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25 Best Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina - BEST PLACES TO STAY IN ASHEVILLE NC

 

For a medium-sized North Carolina mountain town with a population of under ,, there is a surprising wealth of unique things to do in Asheville NC. There are also countless critically-acclaimed restaurants , with lots of craft breweries and farm-to-table fare.

Thanks to sound city planning, many of the best Asheville hotels are within walking distance of its major attractions. There are numerous Biltmore tour options, included self-guided and audio tours of the house , gardens , winery, and rooftop, as well as tours just for kids. There are also endless outdoor activities on the 8,acre estate, ranging from biking, hiking, and kayaking to falconry, fly-fishing, horseback riding, and sporting clays. The Red Wolf is one of the most critically endangered canid species in the world.

There are now around in the wild, and others in captivity. One of our favorite things to do in Asheville is visit the acre Western North Carolina Nature Center , which connects people with the native plants and animals of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their beloved wolves have been known to howl in unison when the mood strikes. Downtown Asheville has an astounding array of critically acclaimed restaurants for a square-mile mountain town with a population of less than , people.

Looking for more exotic fare? The French Broad River winds its way right through the heart of Asheville. The river is lined with lush, verdant parks that are perfect for picnics and recreation. Rafting the French Broad River is one of the most fun things to do in Asheville with kids, or a group of friends. The Nantahala Outdoor Center has been offering guided white water rafting trips here longer than anyone else.

They have half-day tours that are aimed at beginners ages 8 and up. There are also full-day, 8-mile, intermediate tours that tackle more challenging Class IV rapids. This is a great river for kayaking in the off-season, when the water is high and tourist traffic on the French Broad River is relatively low. Now the area is the creative home to more than artists working in a broad variety of mediums. Visitors looking for a weekend getaway immersed in culture will find excellent shopping opportunities in countless galleries occupying 22 former industrial buildings along a one-mile stretch of the tranquil French Broad River.

Located just southeast of Asheville, the area surrounding the Green River Gorge boasts some of the most biodiverse forest in the eastern United States. But for a change of pace, try canyoneering, one of the most adrenaline-pumping things to do in Asheville.

Green River Adventures offers two options for rappelling. At 70 feet tall, the Little Bradley Waterfall is perfect for youngsters aged 12 and up and first-timers. Big Bradley Falls, at feet, is more challenging, and recommended for thrill-seekers ages 15 and up.

Both tours include expert instruction and plenty of practice time. It may be a mountain town, but Asheville can still get extremely hot during the dog days of summer. But the very first Asheville brewery, Highland Brewing Company, was founded back in and remains one of the best breweries in Asheville.

Guided walking tours of the facilities— one of the best free things to do in Asheville— are available every day of the week. The original Asheville beer tour is offered 3 times a day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Each lasts around 45 minutes, and include a beer tasting to celebrate the occasion. They also offer private tours. Email [email protected] for more information. Elk once roamed these North Carolina hills by the thousands, but they were all killed off by hunters in the s.

Thanks to a reintroduction program, there are now over Cataloochee Elk in the park. The Cataloochee Valley which is surrounded by picturesque foot peaks is easily the best place to see them. These massive megafauna can often be found grazing along the road into the park. But park volunteers can typically tell you where the herd was spotted last. Putting an eco-friendly spin on typical zipline tours , Navitat Canopy Adventures speaks for the trees and encourages their guests to respect the beauty of nature.

Treetop Tour participants must weigh between 90 and pounds. The Mountaintop Tour is bigger, higher and faster. It boasts one zip measuring 3, feet long and feet high, going at speeds up to 65 mph. Mountaintop Tour participants must weight between 70 and pounds. Adrenaline junkies will love The Ultimate Adventure Tour, which combines both packages for six hours of invigorating action and incredible Blue Ridge mountain views. When it comes to free things to do in Asheville, NC, just sitting and watching the wonderfully eclectic array of people milling about in Pack Square Park was easily our favorite.

Located in the heart of downtown Asheville, the park was created in and named for lumber tycoon George Willis Pack who died just six years later. You can see everything from indie book and record stores to trendy clothing boutiques, an old-timey general store, lively brewpubs and more in a span of just a few blocks. The Linville River is situated approximately 1, feet below the ridge, so hiking Linville Gorge is most enjoyable for those who like a somewhat strenuous challenge.

In addition to bears, foxes, raccoons, hawks, and other wildlife , the area is also a haven for fly fishing in North Carolina. Anglers come here from all over the US, hoping to hook their limit of well-stocked brown, brook, and rainbow trout.

Hiking down into Linville Gorge is an intense, all-day affair. One of the first national forests in the eastern United States, Pisgah National Forest encompasses more than , acres of the southern Appalachian Mountains. This gorgeous haven offers lots of things to do near Asheville NC for hiking, camping and mountain biking enthusiasts.

Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures offers half-day, full-day, multi-day, and even nighttime tours guided by locals who know the area like the back of their hand. Best of all, they can customize your Pisgah mountain bike adventure to match your style and ability, whether you prefer climbing, downhill, or single-track riding!

Check out Rumbling Bald Mountain, which features 1, acres of world class technical rock climbing and around 1, boulders to conquer. All are easily accessible by car. Stretching miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway attracts more than 15 million annual visitors a year.

The world-renowned scenic route passes through Asheville, making it easy to explore the remarkable array of majestic mountains , lush valleys, and fertile forests that surround the city.

But there are loads of breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks , not to mention many noteworthy landmarks. There are also plenty of Blue Ridge Parkway hiking trails to explore, many of which lead to wondrous waterfalls.

The shortest is of them all is also the most rewarding. The trek to the summit from the parking lot is moderately strenuous due to the sharp incline. The park also offers loads of camping options, a restaurant and concession stand, and an exceptional picnic area that includes 40 tables and two shelters with fireplaces.

Located less than 40 miles from Asheville near Brevard NC , Blue Ridge Parkway milepost offers a chance to see two excellent attractions in one stop. Looking Glass Rock is named for the fact that it often ices over in winter, reflecting sunlight from its stony summit. The Looking Glass Rock Trail gains 1, feet of elevation in 3.

So you could reach the summit and be back to your car in hours. Devoted to education, research, conservation, and garden demonstrations, the Arboretum offers an array of activities, including various educational programs, tours, and events.

There are 7 main garden areas. The Heritage Garden features plants used in medicinal herbs and crafts; the Quilt Garden features Appalachian-style floral designs; and the Plants of Promise Garden demonstrates landscaping design with flora and stone. The town of 14, people is beloved for its climate, gorgeous scenery, rich history, and many parks.

In an effort to help Appalachian women who wove traditional quilts, she founded the Allanstand Craft Shop around They opened the Folk Art Center in , with three galleries, a library, an auditorium, and the historic Allanstand Craft Shop. Properly known as the Botanical Gardens at Asheville , the tranquil nature sanctuary is located on the grounds of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, but operates as an independent non-profit. It was established in on abandoned timberland that had been badly eroded.

Today there are more than species of native plants found in the garden, which has a gurgling creek running through it as well as some great spots for a picnic.

We saw tons of North Carolina wildflowers and flowering trees during our visit, including trillium, flame azaleas, and Eastern redbuds. It was another one of our favorite free things to do in Asheville NC. Thomas Wolfe Memorial is the boyhood home of the legendary author. Tom, who lived there for 10 years before enrolling at UNC, adapted colorful stories of his family, friends, and boarders into the fictionalized novel. Located at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost , less than 7 miles from Downtown Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a great place to learn more about the history of the route.

There are themed exhibits on everything from Blue Ridge flora and fauna to Cherokee history , traditional Appalachian culture, and the construction of the Parkway which lasted from to The Visitor Center features a foot, interactive digital map of the Parkway, as well as an award-winning minute film that offers an excellent overview of the history and nature that make the BRP so special.

It ultimately connects to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail , which stretches 1, miles from the North Carolina mountains to its coast. One of our favorite memories from our latest trip to Asheville was a magnificent picnic we shared while watching the sunset at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. Located at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost Note that it can get quite windy and cold up there, with an elevation of approximately 5, feet.

So this excellent Asheville attraction brought back loads of nostalgic arcade memories. They also offer adult beverages such as beer some from local breweries , as well as snacks and sodas. As we search for a Blue Ridge Mountain town to call home, Weaverville NC would be at the top of our list if real estate prices were not a factor. Located 8 miles from downtown Asheville, Weaverville population 4, feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the burgeoning metropolis.

There are lots of fun things to do in Weaverville NC, including an array of downtown parks, great restaurants , historical museums , and cultural attractions. From weekly drum circles in Pritchard Park to decades of killer concerts at the Orange Peel, Asheville is known as one of the hippest music towns in the Blue Ridge region. The Moog Store and Moogseum both offer great opportunities to learn more about this iconic inventor and his enduring influence on the evolution of popular music.

The Moog Store is offering small group sessions by appt only that include a brief history of Moog Music, demos of historically significant instruments, and more. Located on a picturesque acre plot of land in Leicester NC about 17 miles from Downtown Asheville , this fourth-generation family farm started focusing on growing grapes back in They have more than 6 acres of grapes planted now, and plan to gradually expand it 10 acres.

You can also purchase their small-batch wines online.