If you’re looking for things to do in Asheville, then consider this list your primer to the many activities available in the Blue Ridge Mountains.Whether you’re a first-time visitor, or perhaps well acquainted with the flair of this Southern Appalachia getaway, here are 50 ideas to help you see,do, and explore the best Asheville has to offer.
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#1 Downtown Asheville
Youfeel it the moment you begin strolling through Asheville’s vibrant city center – it’s anunmistakable mountain vibe that has beckonedvisitors to this region time and again. Lining the streets of this walkable neighborhood you'll find a wide array of independent shops, craft breweries, and some of the best dining options in the southeast.
2. Take inAsheville's freshest talent with themanylively street performances from talentedbuskers.
3. Go shopping for cool indie wares, wearable art, local designs, and vintage styles at one of many chic boutiques.
4. Learn how this hipmountain town came to be.Jump aboard LaZoom, the big purple bus, for an irreverent look into Asheville’s colorful history,cruise through townon the hop-on-hop-off trolley toursguided by local storytellers, or learn more about the city’s unique past on a self-guided walking tour alongthe Urban Trail.
5. Peruse Asheville's legendaryindependentbookstores like Malaprops, or sip champagne with your pooch 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 theopen-air market atGrove Arcade.
7. Climb to the top ofAsheville's tallest buildings and enjoy the view from above at one of the many rooftop hangouts. See our guide to 11 of Asheville's best rooftop bars!
8. Is that drumming you hear? Follow the rhythm to the downtown drum circle, a long-standingFriday night tradition.
9. Explore Asheville'sdarker sidewitha nighttimeHaunted Asheville tour, or immerse yourself in the theatrical solve-a-puzzle-to-escape challenge,Conundrum.
#10 Biltmore
An enduring legacy of America’s gilded age, take a tour of George W. Vanderbilt’s winter chateaux, or better yet, upgrade to a special behind-the-scenes or rooftop tour. Head outside to explore the century-old gardens, go horseback riding, or biking across the many trails. The wineryoffers free tastings; however if you’re a fan of bubbly, then upgrade to a paid tasting (it’s worth it). There’s also great dining, shopping, and family activities available at Antler Hill Village.
11. Visit Biltmore Village, located outside the entrance of Biltmore. This former neighborhood for estate workers is now filled with great shopping, amazing arts and craft galleries, and delicious restaurants.
#12 The Great Outdoors
The breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains has lured travelers to this 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. Dubbed “America’s favorite drive,” this 469-mile scenic road passes right through Asheville and serves as your gateway to outdoor adventure.
14. Be sure to pack your hiking shoes to explore the timeworn trails dotting the mountain landscape. Trails range anywhere from easy-as-pie to whoa Nellie! Find your perfect Asheville hiking trail and get ready for some incredible views!Use ourAsheville Hike Finderto easily filter by distance from downtown, trail length and difficulty level.
15. Bike the Blue Ridge! Road or trails, there are plenty of way 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 really hot day go for a swim.Just mind the slippery rocks, and neverwade 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 small mouth bass by takingpart in a guided fly-fishing expedition. Already a pro?Local outfitters are a great resource to find the secret spotsteeming with fish.
23. Practice your Tarzan yell as you zip line hundreds of feet above the forest canopy.
24. Splash around on an exhilarating ride down the area’s best whitewater rapids, or slide down an all-natural 60-foot waterslide.
25. If you want to keep your outdoor adventures closer to Asheville, then try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding (SUP),tubing, or boatingdown the French Broad River.
26. Explore the nature trails at the North Carolina Arboretum and the Botanical Gardens of Asheville, both of which are home to numerous indigenous species of mountain flora.
27. Go golfing at some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the country.
#28 Welcome to Foodtopia!
Asheville’s buzz-worthy food scene is packed with amazing places to eat. Our culinary mecca serves asa magnet for innovative chefs andfood artisans, most of whichsourcetheir ingredients from the hundreds of farms surrounding the city. With so many delectable options,the hardest decision you’ll have to make 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. Learn how to find your own food with a guided foraging expedition through 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 Foodtopia back home.
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 atBiltmore, the most visited winery in America.
#35 Mountain Culture
Asheville has been home to some of the world’s greatest artists, writers, musicians,and architects. They left an enduring mark on this townand 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, which still influences Asheville today.
36. See amazing performances byAsheville's numerous theater troupesincludingthe Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts some of the best in local and national productions, NC Stage, the Asheville Community Theatre, Magnetic Theatre, andin the warmer months, take in a free outdoor Shakespeare production performed by the Montford Park Players.
37. Take a guided history tourwith Asheville by Footto learn more about Asheville’s incredible array of Art Deco buildingsincluding 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.
#39 River Arts District
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 immersive programs available. You'll also find this neighborhood is home to some of Asheville's most popular restaurants and a brewery, 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 artexhibits at the Asheville Art Museum,find vintage games atthe Pinball Museum(yes, you can play!), or for a real throwback Thursday, visit theantique car museum.
#41Music
Hailed as one of America’s “Greatest Music Cities,” Asheville’s live music scene is beginning to garner national attention. 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'smany music festivals taking place throughout the year. Downtown After 5, AVLFest,the LEAF festival, and Brewgrassare 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, andGrey Eagleare allgreat places to see live music.
44. Tour theMoog Music Factoryandvisit the new Moogseum!Bob Moog was apioneer of electronic music and a resident of Asheville. He gavethe world its first synthesizer, an innovation that is still hand-crafted in downtown Asheville to this day. Watch these incredible instruments being made andtake one home for yourself.
45.Catch the classics as performed by theAsheville Symphony Orchestraand the Asheville Lyric Opera. Each season they perform a blend of timeless compositionsalong with more contemporaryarrangements.
#46. The Omni Grove Park Inn
Built for the ages, this iconic Inn has adornedSunset Mountain for over a century, and offersan amazing view of the western mountains. Built with giant boulders collected from the surrounding mountainside, this glorious lodge has welcomedten U.S. Presidents, it boasts the largest collections of arts and crafts furniture, and it's 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 subterranean spa experience.
#47 Let the stressof the day-to-day melt away in the hot tubs of Shoji spa, feel the healing properties of asalt cave, or get pampered at one of the many day spas located throughout town.
#48 Asheville Beer Scene
Asheville is a special place for craft-brew enthusiasts. 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 breweries per capita than any other city,you’ll have plenty of options to consider.
#49. Explore the beer scene by foot oron wheels. Many breweries are within walking distance from each other arounddowntown, 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 alsopedal for beer on a people-fueled pub-cycleor explore the bustling craft beer scenewith City Brew Tours. Take a behind the scenes look at local craft brewerieswhile sipping your way through Asheville's extensive beer scene. Join the original tour and enjoy a perfectly curated beer andmeal pairing.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.
