Asheville Things To Do

Asheville, North Carolina offers an incredible array of activities and attractions that cater to every interest and passion. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, culinary delights, or historic landmarks, along with this epic list of 100 must-do activities will ensure that your time in Asheville is nothing short of unforgettable. So, pack your bags, prepare to be amazed, and embark on a remarkable journey through the enchanting city of Asheville.


 

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35 Wall Street, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Come Experience Asheville Emporium: Great gift shop featuring a curious and thoughtful collection for everyone on your gift list • 1000’s of well-crafted products by 100+ local and global artists/makers • Asheville T-shirts, stickers, magnets, and other souvenirs/keepsakes • Fun stuff for kids of all ages • DIY photo-booth with fun and quirky props • Gallery with rotating exhibits • ReNew Boutique featuring nearly new on-trend apparel and accessories that give back to area nonprofits with every sale • Asheville Emporium’s mission is to generate inspiration and connection through our Curious and Creative Collection!

92 Gay Street, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

North Carolina’s longest running Shakespeare Festival, presents free theatre under the stars all summer long from early May until the end of September. Join them for the summer season and enjoy quality classic drama in a delightful outdoor setting and during the cooler months indoors at various venues in Asheville.

111 Grovewood Road, Asheville, NC 28804, USA

Tucked away amid towering pine trees adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn is one of Asheville’s hidden gems. Known today as Grovewood Village, this historic site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, an Arts and Crafts enterprise originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property is now home to Grovewood Gallery, working artist studios, a sculpture garden, Golden Fleece restaurant, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, and Asheville’s only antique car museum.

Enjoy a leisurely visit here with a delectable meal at Golden Fleece and shopping at Grovewood Gallery, nationally recognized for its dedication to fine American-made art and craft. Free parking is available on-site.

Asheville, NC 28801, USA
(828) 779-6808(828) 779-6808

Art Connections Tours are designed to connect art lovers and collectors with the makers in the most authentic way: one on one, in the places where they do their work in scenic western North Carolina. After 25 years of working alongside hundreds of artists as a gallery manager and buyer, Sherry Masters shares her many connections and invites participants to go with her inside the studios of leading and emerging artists in a range of media from paintings, glass, clay, fiber, metals, wood and more.

Join one of the ‘Scheduled Tours’ on select Mondays and Fridays from May – October to see a great variety of local studios; or Sherry will curate and plan the tour based on your interests and input. With her vast network of area artists Sherry strives to match your interests with the studio visits to make the trip memorable and educational.

191 Lyman Street #310 Asheville, NC 28801

310 ART is a fine Art Gallery featuring all original work by regional artists and craftspersons. We feature a very diverse selection of excellent artwork in all mediums and all styles. A school for adults in the fine arts is housed within our gallery. Our school is the oldest and most comprehensive in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC. Visit us year round and see our resident artists at work, classes taking place and our revolving exhibits. Hours Mon-Sat 11-5 (winter 12-4) and by appointment call 828-776-2716.

30 Brookside Circle, Candler, NC 28715, USA
(828) 707-3484(828) 707-3484

Art and Yoga Studio offering regular classes, open studio hours and workshops for both art and yoga. Yoga and Art share the unique ability to allow you to express yourself through movement of the body, stillness of the mind and liberation of the soul. After The Masters is a small boutique style studio with small classes so individual attention and care can be directed to your needs, goals, abilities and limitations.

64 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Contemporary Southern Folk Art, including painting North Carolina wood-fired pottery, wood carving & jewelry. They also provide innovative custom picture framing solutions for the enhancement of your fine art. Throw in a generous helping of whimsy, exuberance and inspiration and you have American Folk Art & Framing.

Asheville, NC 28806, USA

AmiciMusic is a chamber music organization founded by pianist Daniel Weiser and dedicated to performing the highest quality chamber music in intimate venues and non-traditional spaces. We are committed to breaking down barriers between performers and audiences by setting up a more relaxed and informal atmosphere at concerts and through informative talks about each composer’s life before each piece is played.

101 Fairview Road, Asheville, NC 28803, USA

Anam Cara produces experimental theatre that empowers artists, promotes equality, challenges thinking, and transforms community. We provide a safe space for artists and audiences to take risks, grow, and collaborate. In addition to our mainstage season, our experimental ensemble, Accordion Time Machine, produces an original performance every other month. Tickets and more information are available at our website, http://www.anamcaratheatre.org.

344 Depot Street, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
(813) 464-1414(813) 464-1414

We specialize in detailed animal art and pet portraits. Working in a variety of mediums, the artist captures the unique quality that makes each animal an individual. Notecards and prints are also available.

10 North Spruce Street, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

The pottery of the North Carolina folk potters awaits you at Appalachian Crafts. Owens, McNeill, Wyndham, and Potts, as well as many skilled artisans from the surrounding neighborhoods. Carved eastern song birds, wooden toys, hand-woven looper rugs, jams, jellies, wooden kitchen utensils, and even bees’ wax candles! Jewelry by local artisans to enhance you ensemble! Rather read? We have books by local authors (Thomas Wolfe, Wilma Dykeman), books on what to do and where to go: hiking, biking, exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, and even some down home Southern cookbooks! Y’all come!

19 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Ariel Gallery Asheville’s contemporary craft collective. Featuring a wide range of fine craft created by its preeminent local members. Ariel Gallery: for the Well Crafted Life.

207 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

The Asheville Area Arts Council is the collective voice for the arts, advancing Buncombe County by providing access to resources, developing innovative collaborations, and fostering creativity in the community. We are inspired to show work regardless of its commercial value, though we hope that work in our gallery will attract patrons who are interested in something new and exploratory. We see our exhibition space as a showcase for the talent of our area of service, Buncombe County.

175 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

The Asheville Art Museum is undergoing major construction to build the new Asheville Art Museum opening in early 2019. The Museum has opened a small pop-up location at 175 Biltmore Ave and will continue to offer programming and events with community partners.

428 1/2 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806

Asheville BookWorks is a community resource for print and book arts located in West Asheville, North Carolina. Through classes, exhibits, lectures, and annual events, Asheville BookWorks has developed a national reputation as a fine book arts and print facility. BookWorks is pleased to provide space, equipment and technical support for individuals with an interest in handmade books, printmaking, and letterpress.

109 Roberts Street, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Co-op gallery of ceramic artists and a furniture maker in the Phil Mechanic Building in the River Arts District. We display functional, decorative and sculptural ceramic art, primarily made locally, and are the showroom for Appalachian Joinery custom woodworking. Multiple times a year we feature a ceramic artist from outside the area to make the display ever-changing.

1 Edwin Place, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

For more than a half century the Asheville Chamber Music Series (ACMS) has taken its place as an important cultural resource in Asheville, bringing world-renowned chamber artists to the city. As one of the nation’s oldest continuous performing chamber music organizations, it has been recognized for its outstanding programs and for its unique education component through a collaboration with the strings program of the Asheville-Buncombe Schools. The ACMS season runs from September through April, and includes five concerts at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, located at 1 Edwin Place, Charlotte Street.

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2630 Smokey Park Highway, Candler, NC 28715, USA
(828) 633-1110(828) 633-1110

Escape to Engadine Resort, situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and just a short fifteen-minute drive from the bustling city of Asheville, NC. Our exceptional accommodation includes a historic house and six mountain cabins, each equipped with modern touches to make your stay comfortable and unforgettable. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, expansive grounds for exploration, and relaxing outdoor amenities like hammocks, firepits, and Adirondack chairs. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway in our Historic Victorian House, a cozy retreat in our mountain cabins, or planning a group event or wedding at our stunning outdoor venues, Engadine Resort offers the perfect escape for creating unforgettable memories and unparalleled serenity.

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96 Randall Cove Road Leicester, NC 28748

Randall Glen is a hundred-acre farm with its own mountainside, creeks, and wildflower meadows. Here you can experience the simple Smoky Mountain lifestyle that Southern Highlanders have known for hundreds of years. You can celebrate an unforgettable North Carolina mountain vacation. You can also just plain have fun. Spend your day with the animals at our interactive farm, mining for gems and gold in our creek-side sluice, or hop on a horse and enjoy the mountain views from a whole new perspective. For extra adventure and a truly memorable mountain experience, we offer deluxe overnight trail rides.

242 Poverty Branch Road Barnardsville, NC 28709

Navitat is the premier provider of tree-based zipline experiences – featured on CNN, in the New York Times, Outdoor Magazine, Forbes Travel Guide and called “One of the best in the nation!” in USA TODAY! With two incredible zipline tours to choose from, a day at Navitat is guaranteed to be full of high-flying fun! Navitat’s original tour, the The Treetop Tour has six ziplines, two bridges, a rappel, and a spiral staircase. The Mountaintop Tour is a massive high flying zipline tour featuring three (huge!) side-by-side “racing style” ziplines, the longest of which stretches more than 3600-feet and is 350-feet above the forest floor. Be adventurous – and snag big savings! – when you book The Ultimate Adventure Package to experience BOTH tours in one action-packed, tree-lovin’ day. Located only 20 minutes north of Asheville, Navitat’s home, Moody Cove, is a 242-acre wilderness setting containing some of the largest trees in the area, abundant wildlife, rare plant species, and offering spectacular long-range mountain views. On each tour, knowledgeable guides teach you about the natural environment and tell colorful local history stories. Navitat Canopy Adventures welcomes adventure seekers weighing between 70 and 250 pounds. This is the flagship location of Bonsai Design Inc., America’s leading zipline canopy tour designer. Built with environmental respect for minimal impact, don’t miss your chance to experience Navitat – tree-based adventures that thrill, educate, and inspire!

27 Foundy Street Unit 20, Asheville, NC 28801

I’m a classically trained pastry chef, and I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for (cough cough) a looong time. That’s where I learned to be so witty. 😉 In 2014 I started making cute little custom cakes for friends and family. Just for fun, because I missed making art, because friends don’t let friends eat a dry cake. Then people started requesting them, paying for them, coming up with crazy ideas. I spent the next year or so making four or five celebration cakes a week, holding down a full-time job, and running my entire business from a Facebook page.

175 Weaverville Rd #1b, Asheville, NC 28804

Here at Sweet Elegance, located in beautiful Asheville, NC, we consider it a privilege to work hand in hand with you to make your special day as truly memorable and wonderful as possible. We accomplish this by joining your vision and our creative gifts to design and execute astonishing cake creations.  Any event from an elegant wedding to a festive birthday celebration can be elevated to a higher level when one of our creations arrives to the party!

1570 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28806, USA

We make amazing sweets.

( ’nuff said )

289 Lyman St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Making wine in the heart of Asheville, NC from grapes grown in our surrounding mountains. Brought together by chance through a mutual friend at Appalachian State, we discovered that we had written similar business plans for an urban winery in Asheville. We met several times and discovered we had the same philosophy about supporting a community of farmers, winemakers, artists, and chefs while making wine using local grapes. The rest is history in the making . . .

405 Elk Park Dr, Woodfin, Asheville, NC 28804, USA

We are a small Family owned orchard and cidery nestled in the North Carolina Mountains . For many years we produced small amounts of specialty  fruit wines,  meads   &  ciders to share with our friends and family. The love , passion and enjoyment of creating masterpieces in the form of wines , ciders and Meads soon drove us to open up shop In 2018 we began the process of setting up a winery location in Woodfin , our orchard is in a dry county .

169 Charlotte St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Owners John Kerr and Gina Trippi opened Metro Wines and celebrated their grand opening April 27, 2013. Located at 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville, Metro Wines is on the way to The Grove Park Inn, just down the street from Gan Shan Station, City Bakery and The Chop Shop.

And there is plenty of free, close and easy parking!

Metro Wines offers a wide selection of wines focusing on pairing just the right wine with any dish or event. We also offer Fentiman’s Tonic water, Rose Lemonade and Saratoga Water, the only sparkling water bottled in the U.S., giving this extraordinary water a low carbon footprint. Here you will find grape specific shelves as well as categories ranging “from $10 and under” to the “bucket list” to “a bad hair day.” John and Gina share the philosophy that wine is about friends, family and community. Both are always available to answer questions, offer suggestions, share stories and work with your caterer or event planner.

1550 Hendersonville Road Suite 102 Asheville, NC 28803

Table Wine Asheville opened in August 2010, and quickly established itself as the premiere wine retailer in Asheville, North Carolina. We focus on “wines for the people” and our tagline is “artisanal wines at affordable prices.” Whether it be vin de table in France, vino da tavola in Italy, vina de mesa in Spain or just table wine in the U.S., every country has its own designation for honest, affordable and delicious wines that are consumed on a daily basis at the dinner table. Although we stock many premium wines, the average bottle price is about $15, and there are easily over 150 wines available for $15 or less. In total, we stock nearly 800 different wines so we’ve got something for every type of wine drinker.

4005 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester, NC 28748

We are a family-run vineyard and winery creating small batch, fine wines in traditional methods made proudly on our fourth generation family farm.

Addison Farms Vineyard began in 2009 with a planting of 600 Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Since then, we have grown to 6 acres under vine in the following varieties: Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Montepuliciano, Petit Menseng, and of course our original Cabernet Sauvignon. We work with other North Carolina growers to source other varieties we want to explore with our wine making such as: Barbera, Chambourcin, and Tempranillo.

2695 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792

Award Winning Wines. Family Owned. Now part of AVA Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County. Visit North Carolina’s Winery of the Year in two locations: the Winery, Vineyards and Tasting Room in Hendersonville and the Tasting Room and Bistro in Chimney Rock.

27 Biltmore Ave Asheville, North Carolina

Crocodile Wine is a Natural Wine Shop located in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. We sell international and domestic wines made from organic grapes, harvested by hands, and wild fermented with native yeasts.

588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792, USA

Saint Paul Farms is a working Vineyard and Orchard located in the Blue Ridge mountains of Henderson County, North Carolina. We are proud to grow the fruit for our award winning Wines, Ciders and Spirits. We welcome you to learn about our farms and enjoy tasting a variety of locally grown French Vinifera and Normandy Style Hard Cider at any of our three tasting rooms.

36 Hallaran Drive, Marshall, NC 28753

Longleaf Vineyard is a family-run mountain vineyard and event venue located in the mountains of Western North Carolina,  just 25 minutes outside of Asheville North Carolina.  A truly unique location, Longleaf Vineyard offers a private, natural setting for your special event.

We are situated above the largest platueau in Western North Carolina with 70 mile panoramic views.  Your event backdrop will include majestic mountains such as Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Pisgah.  Your guests will be in awe of their view of downtown Asheville that “shines” amid the mountain views.  

Our combined experience and love of wine made for an easy decision to make this our home and business venture in 2017.  We love sharing our mountain vineyard with our “Longleaf family” for their special events

97 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
welcome to the basilica!

SUNDAY MASS:

5:00pm Vigil (Saturday)
9:00am, 12pm, & 4:00pm in Spanish

DAILY MASSES:

Monday, Friday – 12:10pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 7:30am

ADORATION AND BENEDICTION:

Friday, 11:00am to 11:45am

CONFESSION:

Friday, 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Saturday, 8:30am – 9:30am

VISITING HOURS:

Monday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Please refer to our online weekly bulletin for additional activities.

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52 North Market Street, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Novelist Thomas Wolfe spent a decade of his childhood growing up in his mother’s Asheville boardinghouse. Called “Old Kentucky Home” the house was patronized by summer tourists and health seekers during the early years of the 20th century. These boarders would later inspire many of the colorful characters in Wolfe’s 1929 novel, Look Homeward, Angel. The house itself was recast as “Dixieland” and would provide much of the setting for the story. Today, tours of the Old Kentucky Home provide a glimpse into Asheville’s early rise to prominence as a resort for health and recreation as well as the stories associated with Thomas Wolfe’s colorful and turbulent childhood here. An adjacent visitor’s center and museum contains a self guided exhibit hall and 22 minute film presentation on Wolfe’s life and writings.

Thomas Wolfe famously wrote “You can’t go home again,” but don’t let that stop you from exploring the Asheville native’s boyhood home.

A contemporary of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, Wolfe secured his place in the American literary canon with the critically acclaimed publication of his unabashedly auto-biographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel, in 1929. Local admiration didn’t come as easily: His unflattering portrayals of family and some 200 thinly disguised townspeople of Asheville (aka “Altamont”) prompted hometown scorn. Following eight years of self-imposed exile, Wolfe re-turned a hero in 1937, having boosted tourism during the Great Depression.

Asheville still embodies the “boomtown” spirit that so captivated Wolfe. “Some things will never change,” wrote Wolfe, and a walk through his onetime stomping grounds continues to reveal a colorful cast of characters.

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100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806, USA

The North Carolina Arboretum’s 434-acre campus is nestled off the Blue Ridge Parkway minutes from downtown Asheville and offers beautiful gardens and natural areas, including the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 10 miles of forested hiking and biking trails, garden tours, nature activities for families, changing science, art and cultural history exhibits, an on-site bistro and gift shop.

Daytime admission into the Arboretum is free; however, a $16 parking fee applies for personal vehicles. To view full listing of parking fees and hours, click here.

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75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805, USA

The Western North Carolina Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity. Home to over 60 species of animals native to Southern Appalachia as well as a pair of red pandas – introducing our new Prehistoric Appalachia exhibit. The Center is one of only three zoos in North Carolina to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Visit the WNC Nature Center for some WILD fun!

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2203 Old Fort Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA

We are a dairy goat farm located in Blck Mountain, North Carolina. We produce a variety of goat cheeses year-round. We offer farm tours and cheese tastings by appointment on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Call or contact us through our website to schedule.

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19929 U.S. 221, Marion, NC, USA

Explore the amazing work of nature on the “inside” of a mountain. North Carolina’s only show caverns features stalactite and stalagmite formations, an underground stream with native trout, hibernating bats, amazing mineral colors, the Bottomless Pool, and total darkness. The guided tour educates you on caverns ecosystems, geological history, and local history of the area. Gift shop located on premises.

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1 Approach Road, Asheville, NC 28803, USA

Whether this is your first time off-road or you have advanced experience, experiences expose you to elements and terrain to increase your off-road knowledge and ability. Experiences cover the basics of expedition-style driving and are customized to fit your skill and comfort level. Off-road obstacles such as steep ascents, descents, side tilts, log crossings, and rock crawls offer an exciting and memorable off-road adventure. Up to three participants may ride in each vehicle.

HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE (COVID-19)

Land Rover Experience Centers will resume operations and safely offer a range of physically distanced drive experiences from August 1, 2020.

We want to assure you that every precaution is being taken to protect the health and safety of our guests and local staff. In prioritizing health, safety, while still creating a day to remember, Land Rover Experience has implemented the following actions:

  • All guests will be required to undergo a temperature check and wear a face mask upon arrival and when outside their vehicle. Additional PPE equipment (gloves and hand sanitizer) will be provided complementary – or feel free to bring your own.
  • All vehicles will be sanitized before every experience.
  • Guests and staff will be physically distanced in separate vehicles. Instructors will coach guests and marshal the course via two way radios.
  • Food and beverages will be boxed or pre-packaged and served in an open area while respecting social distancing.
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U.S. 221 & Linville Avenue, Linville, NC 28646, USA

Offering visitors easy access to its towering peaks, Grandfather Mountain is one of the most biologically diverse mountains and in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Feel the rush when you cross the Swinging Bridge; marvel at 360-degree views from one-mile above sea level; photograph bears, otters, cougars, eagles and deer in natural habitats; hike rugged back-country trails or stroll gentle nature paths; eat in our restaurant or take your order out to one of many scenic picnic areas; chat with our entertaining, knowledgeable staff and let us help you find your own perfect mountain adventure.

A carefully tended wilderness preserve, Grandfather Mountain is home to many rare North American wildflowers and to displays of such naturalized plants as native azaleas, rhododendrons, mosses and lichens, heathers, and other beautiful species. Parts of the mountain are steep and rocky, but much is accessible to anyone: an excellent nature center, dramatic mountain vistas, and wildlife habitat areas.

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