In Asheville, main streets and mountain roads both take you to awe-inspiring places. Culture and nature have a special kinship, and what’s seemingly on the fringe can be the big attraction. The list of worthwhile experiences here seems endless, but we’ve whittled it down to our top 50 favorite things to do.
Let this list be your guide to tried-and-true attractions, adventures, and experiences in Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or well-acquainted with the eclectic flair of this Southern Appalachia getaway, here are 50 ideas to help you see, hear, and savor the best of Asheville.
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Visit Downtown Asheville
1. You feel it the moment you stroll through Asheville’s vibrant city center – it’s a creative mountain vibe that speaks to people near and far. Lining the streets of this walkable, vibrant city center you'll find an eclectic mix of independent shops, craft breweries, and some of the best dining options in the southeast. The neighborhood invites imagination and exploration, and the list of experiences to enjoy here is extensive and ever-evolving.
2. Take in Asheville's freshest talent with the many lively street performances from talented buskers. The energizing sounds draw from places near and far, with instruments ranging from the ethereal Australian didgeridoo to found objects like washboards dripping with Americana. This unique community has forged a place here, commanding crowds and starring in visitors’ videos and even an award-winning documentary. Listen to buskers by the Grove Arcade and near Pack Square.
3. Go shopping for cool indie wares, wearable art, local designs, and vintage styles at one of many chic boutiques and eclectic markets.
4. Hop on a tour and learn how this hip mountain town came to be. Jump aboard LaZoom, the big purple bus, for an irreverent look into Asheville’s colorful history, or cruise through town on the hop-on-hop-off trolley tours guided by local storytellers. If you fancy an amble, learn more about the city’s unique past on a self-guided walking tour along the Urban Trail, the Black Cultural Heritage Trail, the Asheville Architecture Trail, or the South Slope Mural Trail.
5. Peruse Asheville's legendary independent bookstores like Malaprops, or enjoy your books with a side of bubbly at the Battery Park Book Exchange.
6. Find that perfect piece of art or handmade craft available for sale at downtown art galleries, craft fairs, or the open-air market at Grove Arcade.
7. Climb to the top of Asheville's tallest buildings and enjoy the view from above at one of the many rooftop hangouts. See our guide to Asheville's best rooftop bars!
8. Hear some drumming in the distance? Follow the rhythm to the downtown drum circle, a long-standing Friday night tradition.
9. Explore Asheville's darker side with a nighttime Haunted Asheville tour, or solve the clues the break out of an escape room at Breakout Asheville, Fox-n-Otter, or A-Escape.
Visit the Biltmore Estate
10. A living legacy of America’s gilded age, the Biltmore is a national treasure tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tour George W. Vanderbilt’s chateau, or better yet, upgrade to a special behind-the-scenes tour or rooftop tour for a unique perspective.
Head outside to explore the century-old gardens, go horseback riding, or bike the many miles of scenic trails within the sprawling estate grounds. The winery offers free tastings, but if you’re a fan of bubbly, consider upgrading to a paid tasting (it’s worth it). Antler Hill Village offers great dining, shopping, family activities, and more.
11. Visit Biltmore Village, located outside the entrance of Biltmore Estate. This former neighborhood for estate workers is now filled with great shopping, amazing arts and craft galleries, and delicious restaurants.
Experience the Great Outdoors
12. The great outdoors are calling. The breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains has lured travelers to the region for over a century, and no trip to Asheville would be complete without exploring some of America’s most cherished national forests, like Pisgah and Nantahala.
13. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Known as “America’s favorite scenic drive,” this 469-mile road passes right through Asheville and serves as your gateway to outdoor adventure.
14. Lace up your hiking shoes and explore timeworn trails dotting the mountain landscape. Trails range anywhere from easy-as-pie to whoa Nellie! Use our Asheville Hike Finder to easily filter by distance from downtown, trail length, and difficulty level.
15. Bike the Blue Ridge! Whether you bike the road or stick to the trails, there are plenty of ways to challenge yourself with a bike ride in the mountains.
16. Asheville is home to hundreds of native and migratory species of birds. Grab your binoculars and practice your birding skills. Bonus points if you see a peregrine falcon!
17. Venturing outdoors is like taking a mountain safari. Native wildlife includes everything from foraging bears to herds of elk. Be sure to appreciate from a distance.
18. Go waterfall hunting. There are hundreds of beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the region, and many are easy to access within a short walk from the car. Dip your toes into the cool waters at the base, or on a hot day, go for a swim. Just mind the slippery rocks, and never wade into the water from the top.
19. Stand atop the highest peaks east of the Mississippi. Mt. Mitchell is king of the Blue Ridge, standing at over 6,000 feet in elevation.
20. Take a pit stop at the Folk Art Center, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s filled with the crème de la crème of regional handmade crafts.
21. Visit a state park. Go deep into the heart of Western North Carolina, where you’ll find numerous state parks to explore such as Chimney Rock Park, DuPont, and Gorges.
22. Catch a mountain trout or smallmouth bass by taking part in a guided fly-fishing expedition. Already a pro? Local outfitters are a great resource to find the secret spots teeming with fish.
23. Practice your Tarzan yell as you zipline hundreds of feet above the forest canopy.
24. Make a splash! Get ready for an exhilarating rafting adventure down the area’s best whitewater rapids, or slide down an all-natural 60-foot waterslide to experience a pure and simple kind of refreshment.
25. If you want to keep your outdoor adventures closer to Asheville, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), tubing, or boating down the French Broad River.
26. Explore the nature trails at the North Carolina Arboretum and the Asheville Botanical Garden, both home to numerous indigenous species of mountain flora.
27. Go golfing at some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the country.
Welcome to Foodtopia!
28. Asheville’s buzz-worthy food scene has cooked up a bountiful spread of amazing places to eat, and the momentum is only building. Our food culture serves as a magnet for innovative chefs and artisans, most of whom source their ingredients from the hundreds of farms surrounding the city. With so many options, one of the hardest decisions you’ll make here is where to dine.
29. Get a little taste of everything by signing up for a food tour. You’ll be able to sample cuisine from numerous restaurants in an afternoon.
30. Go foraging in a place that has elevated the lost art of gathering food from wild places. Asheville is home to the first planned forest garden in the country (it’s essentially an edible park) and the largest foraging tour company in the world. Learn how to forage by taking a guided foraging expedition in the mountains.
31. Visit local farms to buy the freshest meats, veggies, and cheese available in the mountains. This is a perfect way to take a little bit of Foodtopia back home with you.
32. Nosh on award-winning cheeses by visiting the multiple creameries along the WNC Cheese Trail.
33. Stock up on fresh local ingredients by shopping at one of the multiple farmers markets around town, or simply stop in for a bite to eat from one of the many vendors.
34. Sip the mountain’s finest nectar while visiting urban and rural wineries, or go for a free tasting at Biltmore, the most visited winery in America.
Experience Mountain Culture
35. Asheville’s mountain culture has influenced some of the world’s greatest artists, writers, musicians and architects. They left an enduring mark on this region and many of their legacies are still present as you walk through town. Get a closer look into Asheville's rich heritage, and tap into the bohemian spirit that still influences Asheville today.
36. See amazing performances by Asheville's many theater companies at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts some of the best in local and national productions, NC Stage, the Asheville Community Theatre, and in the warmer months, take in free outdoor Shakespeare performed by the Montford Park Players.
37. Take a guided history tour with Asheville by Foot to learn more about Asheville’s incredible array of Art Deco buildings, including the Basilica of St. Lawrence, which boasts the largest free-standing dome in North America.
38. Visit the childhood home of literary legend Thomas Wolfe, which he immortalized in his autobiographical novel, Look Homeward Angel.
Visit the River Arts District
39. Get immersed in the colorful, creative River Arts District (RAD). Along the riverbank of the French Broad, spend an afternoon strolling through former industrial warehouses now filled with hundreds of working artist studios. Watch a live exhibit, peruse numerous galleries to find that perfectly handcrafted piece of art for your collection, or get hands on with one of the many interactive programs available. You'll also find this neighborhood is home to some of Asheville's most popular restaurants and breweries, perfect for a pit stop in between galleries.
40. Asheville is home to some classic, and in some cases, quirky museums. Check out the fine art exhibits at the Asheville Art Museum, find vintage games at the Pinball Museum (yes, you can play!), or for a real throwback Thursday, visit the antique car museum.
Listen to Live Music
41. Hailed as one of America’s “Greatest Music Cities,” Asheville’s live music scene acts as the heartbeat of the city. Intimate music halls, unassuming neighborhood bars, and even the streets of downtown play host to some of the best in local and national touring musicians. You’ll find the sound is steeped in old time mountain music, but it’s the full spectrum of innovative musicians who truly define Asheville’s sound.
42. Immerse yourself in one of Asheville's many music festivals taking place throughout the year. Downtown After 5, AVLFest, the LEAF festival, and Brewgrass are among the most popular. You can also tap your toe at a free Shindig on the Green concert, or make plans to attend the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the nation’s longest running festival of its kind.
43. Get up close and personal with your favorite artist at one of Asheville's many iconic music venues. The Orange Peel, a venue hailed as one of the best in the nation by Rolling Stone Magazine, and Grey Eagle are both great places to see live music.
44. Check out the Moog Music Factory and visit the new Moogseum! Bob Moog was a pioneer of electronic music and a resident of Asheville. He gave the world its first synthesizer, an innovation that is still hand-crafted in downtown Asheville to this day. Watch these incredible instruments being made and take one home for yourself
45. Catch the classics as performed by the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. Each season they perform a blend of timeless compositions along with more contemporary arrangements.
Visit the Omni Grove Park Inn
46. Built for the ages, the iconic Omni Grove Park Inn has adorned Sunset Mountain for over a century, and offers an amazing view of the western mountains. Built with giant boulders collected from the surrounding mountainside, this glorious lodge has welcomed ten U.S. Presidents, is home to the largest collections of arts and crafts furniture, and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Watch the sunset while dining al fresco, take in a round of golf on the Donald Ross-designed course, or unwind in their 18,000 square foot subterranean spa.
47. Let the stress of the day-to-day melt away in the hot tubs of Shoji spa, feel the healing properties of a salt cave, or get pampered at one of the many day spas located throughout town.
Experience the Asheville Beer Scene
48. Asheville’s beer scene is celebrated by craft brew enthusiasts around the world. The secret ingredient is the mountain-filtered water, making for some of the most sought-after ales, stouts, and sour beers in the southeast. With more than 50 area breweries pouring over 100 local craft beers on any given day, you’ll have plenty of options to try.
49. Explore the beer scene by foot or on wheels. Many breweries are within walking distance from each other around downtown, but the Brews Cruise will deliver you to the more remote breweries. Plus they can get you a behind-the-scenes peek at the operations. You can also pedal for beer on a people-fueled pub-cycle or explore the bustling craft beer scene with City Brew Tours. Before you head home stock up on local flavors at our specialty beers shops.
50. Want more ideas? Stop by the Asheville Visitor Center when you get to town, and the knowledgeable staff can provide further recommendations.
