Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville combines natural beauty, artistic spirit, and southern charm into one remarkable destination. This vibrant mountain town has transformed from a healing retreat for the wealthy in the early 20th century to a modern haven for artists, food enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and anyone seeking a unique blend of culture and nature—all set against a breathtaking mountain backdrop.
Here is a list of 20 experiences that will help you make the most of your Asheville adventure, whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or an extended mountain escape.
Explore the Biltmore Estate
America’s largest private home offers an unparalleled glimpse into Gilded Age opulence. The 250-room French Renaissance château, built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, features priceless art, antiques, and architecture set against stunning mountain views.
The 8,000-acre estate includes meticulously maintained gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a working winery with complimentary tastings, and miles of scenic trails perfect for walking or biking.
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
Often called ‘America’s Favorite Drive,’ this scenic roadway offers some of the most spectacular mountain vistas in the eastern United States. The stretch near Asheville includes famous overlooks like Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet.
Fall brings a blaze of color that attracts visitors from around the world, but the rolling fog and wildflower displays of spring and summer are equally mesmerizing.
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Wander Through the River Arts District
Once abandoned warehouses along the French Broad River now house over 200 working artist studios in this vibrant creative hub. Visitors can watch artists craft everything from traditional pottery and glass to innovative multimedia pieces, with most welcoming questions and conversation from curious visitors.
Many studios offer workshops where you can create your masterpiece, while nearby restaurants and breweries provide inviting interludes between gallery visits.
Sample Craft Beer on the South Slope
Asheville earned its ‘Beer City USA’ nickname honestly, and the South Slope district serves as the epicenter of this hoppy revolution. Within a few walkable blocks, you’ll find innovative breweries like Burial Beer Co., Green Man, and Catawba, each offering distinctive takes on everything from traditional German lagers to experimental sours.
Most taprooms feature outdoor seating, regular food trucks, and a welcoming atmosphere for both serious beer aficionados and casual sippers—often with live music or trivia nights enhancing the experience.
Hike to Spectacular Waterfalls
The mountains surrounding Asheville hide dozens of magnificent waterfalls within easy driving distance. Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest offers roadside accessibility while still delivering dramatic 60-foot cascades.
More adventurous hikers can trek to the 150-foot Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park or the multi-tiered beauty of Graveyard Fields. Each waterfall has its personality, from gentle cascades to thundering plunges, with convenient trail options for every fitness level.
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Experience Farm-to-Table Dining
Asheville pioneered the farm-to-table movement in the Southeast, and its dining scene remains deeply connected to local agriculture. Restaurants like Rhubarb and The Market Place showcase seasonal ingredients from nearby farms, often listing their sources directly on menus.
The weekly farmers markets transform into social events where chefs and home cooks alike gather to find everything from heritage tomatoes to artisanal cheeses, all produced within a 50-mile radius.
Discover Folk Art at the Folk Art Center
Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this museum and craft shop showcases the rich traditional arts of the Southern Appalachians. The center houses the oldest continuously operating craft shop in the United States, featuring handmade quilts, pottery, woodwork, and jewelry from members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Regular demonstrations by master craftspeople bring traditional techniques to life, connecting visitors to cultural traditions that have shaped the region for generations.
Immerse Yourself in the Downtown Architectural Tour
Asheville’s compact downtown contains one of the nation’s most impressive collections of Art Deco architecture preserved during the Great Depression. A self-guided or organized walking tour reveals the stories behind landmarks like the pink-tiled S&W Cafeteria building and the eight-sided Jackson Building with its neo-Gothic spire.
The urban landscape mixes these historic gems with vibrant street art, bustling sidewalk cafes, and eclectic boutiques for a uniquely walkable downtown experience.
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Find Serenity at the Botanical Gardens
Just minutes from downtown, this 10-acre sanctuary specializes in plants native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Peaceful walking paths wind through themed collections featuring spring ephemerals, medicinal herbs, and rare mountain species.
The garden serves as both a conservation center, a place of tranquility, and a quiet sanctuary, with benches alongside bubbling streams and flowering meadows. Regular guided walks with botanists offer deeper insights into this remarkably biodiverse region.
Join the Friday Night Drum Circle
For over two decades, spontaneous community drumming has transformed downtown’s Pritchard Park into a rhythmic celebration every Friday evening from April through October. Dozens of drummers create evolving polyrhythms while dancers of all ages move freely in the center.
This grassroots tradition welcomes everyone to participate or simply observe as the sunset gives way to twilight and strangers become connected through shared rhythm and movement.
Tour the Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Literary enthusiasts can visit the childhood home of one of America’s most important novelists, preserved much as it appears in his autobiographical masterpiece, ‘Look Homeward, Angel.’ The Queen Anne-style boarding house where Wolfe grew up offers guided tours through rooms where actual events from his novel took place.
The adjacent visitor center contextualizes Wolfe’s complicated relationship with his hometown, which he immortalized as ‘Altamont’ in his richly descriptive prose.
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Explore Western North Carolina Farmers Market
This massive year-round market offers a true taste of Appalachia with four large buildings filled with local produce, crafts, and food products. Mountain farmers bring seasonal harvests ranging from ramps and morel mushrooms in spring to heirloom apples and Christmas trees in fall.
The market’s prepared food vendors serve authentic regional specialties like fresh apple cider, stone-ground grits, and honey harvested from nearby mountain apiaries.
Experience Live Music at The Orange Peel
This nationally recognized concert venue hosts an impressive range of performers in an intimate setting that holds just over 1,000 fans. Having featured everyone from Bob Dylan and Lauryn Hill to local Appalachian bands, The Orange Peel anchors Asheville’s vibrant music scene.
The standing-room format and excellent acoustics create memorable concert experiences, while the convenient downtown location makes it easy to grab dinner or drinks before shows.
Find Treasures at the Antique Tobacco Barn
Housed in an authentic 77,000-square-foot tobacco warehouse, this sprawling antique mall contains over 75 dealers offering everything from fine furniture to quirky collectibles. The rustic setting adds atmosphere to the treasure hunt, with items organized in booth-like sections throughout the cavernous space.
Even non-shoppers appreciate the historical significance of the building itself, which played a crucial role in the region’s agricultural past.
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Attend a Festival
Asheville’s calendar overflows with distinctive festivals celebrating everything from culinary traditions to experimental arts. LEAF Downtown brings world music and performing arts to Pack Square Park each summer, while the Asheville Herb Festival connects gardeners with hundreds of plant varieties each spring.
Fall brings the Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest, and winter features the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn, ensuring year-round celebration regardless of when you visit.
Visit The Omni Grove Park Inn
This historic resort has welcomed guests, including ten U.S. presidents, since opening in 1913. The massive granite boulder construction and Arts and Crafts aesthetic make the building itself a marvel, while the 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa offers modern luxury treatments.
Even non-guests should experience sunset from the Sunset Terrace with its panoramic mountain views, perhaps while sampling single-malt whiskey from the bar’s extensive collection.
Take a Foraging Tour with Expert Guides
The mountains around Asheville contain one of the world’s most diverse temperate ecosystems, making them ideal for guided foraging experiences. Local experts lead small groups through forests to identify edible mushrooms, medicinal plants, and wild foods that have sustained inhabitants for generations.
These hands-on educational experiences connect participants directly to the landscape while providing new culinary and botanical knowledge to take home.
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Tube Down the French Broad River
One of the oldest rivers in the world, the French Broad offers a refreshing way to experience Asheville’s natural beauty on hot summer days. Local outfitters provide tubes, transportation, and safety guidance for leisurely floats through the city and surrounding countryside.
The gentle current does most of the work as you drift past historic riverfront parks, wildlife habitats, and the backs of riverside breweries where you can occasionally pull ashore for refreshments.
Shop at Mast General Store
Dating back to 1883, this beloved regional chain preserves the authentic feel of an old-fashioned general store while offering modern outdoor gear, clothing, and gifts. The Asheville location in a historic downtown building features creaky wooden floors, barrels of old-fashioned candy sold by the pound, and rocking chairs where shoppers can rest.
The store strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and practicality, with quality outdoor brands alongside locally made crafts and food products.
Find Your Zen at Well-Being Destinations
Asheville’s reputation as a healing destination dates back over a century, and today’s wellness offerings range from traditional to innovative. The Salt Cave provides halotherapy in a room constructed from 20 tons of pink Himalayan salt, while the Asheville Yoga Center offers classes for all levels in multiple disciplines.
Natural hot springs at nearby Hot Springs, NC, provide mineral-rich soaking opportunities that have attracted health-seekers since before the Civil War.
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Mountain Magic in Every Season
Asheville rewards visitors with distinctive experiences throughout the year, from spring wildflower displays to summer music festivals, autumn foliage, and cozy winter retreats. The city’s unique combination of natural splendor, creative energy, and genuine southern hospitality creates memories that last far beyond your visit.
Whether hiking mountain trails, sampling innovative cuisine, or simply relaxing with a local craft beverage and mountain view, Asheville offers endless ways to connect with both nature and human creativity in this special corner of Appalachia.
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