Top 10 things to do in downtown asheville –
Looking for:
Top 10 things to do in downtown asheville
Click here to ENTER
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. Enjoy professional theatre in the heart of downtown Asheville with world-class productions in a very intimate setting only seats! They also host concerts and other events, so there’s something happening almost every weekend. For 70 years, our Community Theatre has been presenting outstanding musicals, comedies and dramas in downtown.
Watch the “Mainstage” shows in the seat theatre or a big variety of more adventurous productions in their seat black box theatre called 35below. Rooftop sunset tours, too. Tours are rain or shine, with covered and heated areas including fire pits for year-round enjoyment. Van chauffeured transportation! This fine art gallery in the center of downtown Asheville specializes in contemporary figurative and abstract works of United States and international artists creating exceptional paintings and sculptures at all stages of their careers.
Savor hand-crafted, artisanal, organic chocolates and pastries in this extremely popular emporium, served with wine, beer, coffee or tea. Or sip liquid truffle chocolates. Skip the long lines at the Lounge and pick up truffles there! Experience deep relaxation with Salt Water Floatation sensory deprivation and stress relief with Esalen Massage. Detoxify and destress with a Far Infrared sauna session, or explore how thoughts manifest in the body with Somatic Psychology.
Personalized packages for couples and individuals. This favorite stop for tourists and locals is an old-fashioned general store with the latest products, including clothing, fun gifts, cooking accessories and a huge candy section. Downstairs is a great outdoors department with all the major brands. This is the novelist’s boyhood home and setting for “Look Homeward, Angel. Market Street. Open all year and just minutes from Downtown! This center for adventure offers something for everyone, whether you’re 4 or 94!
Zip on the Canopy Zipline Tour with two 1, foot lines, or make it a family adventure on the KidZip, America’s first zipline adventure designed for kids under There are thirty individual artworks in total along the trail. Among them bronze turkeys and pigs, an enormous flat iron and life-size statues of a fiddler and dancers to name just a few. Take a camera and snap shots of the sculptures. Related tour : 2 hour Guided Segway Tour. Skip dinner and go straight for dessert at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge.
All the desserts are created from chocolate made in the French Broad Chocolate Factory which, although outside of the Downtown district, is also well worth a visit. The community theater has been hosting top-class performances from local actors for over sixty years in productions as varied as Sweeney Todd, Young Frankenstein and Annie, Get Your Gun. While the participants may not be full-time actors and actresses, expect a great show presented with professionalism.
The museum may be small, but it has some powerful interactive exhibits which will blow any visitor away. There are also several restaurants, so you can take a break from shopping and refuel. This 2. And if you get tired, there are several benches along the route where you can take a break. Asheville is well-known for its haunted history, and what better way to explore it than on a ghost tour?
Most of the tours visit different areas of downtown Asheville, and they offer a variety of themes, such as haunted hotels, haunted cemeteries, and haunted mansions. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is a museum and landmark that celebrates the life and work of author Thomas Wolfe. Asheville is home to some of the unique restaurants in the country. The menu offers various items made with beer, such as cheese boards, flatbreads, and salads.
The brewery also has a taproom where you can try some of their latest beers. The museum has three floors of exhibits covering nature, science, history, and art. Pritchard Park is a green space located in the heart of downtown Asheville. The park has a variety of trees and a water feature, which makes it a great place to relax or take a walk. Tasting flights are the norm here but be prepared for the champagne price tag. It took me awhile to warm up to The River Arts District. But as we soon discovered, this goes beyond the stuffy quiet halls of a museum.
This is a living breathing local art space that invites interaction, sparks curiosity, and feeds creative inspiration. From the coffee to urban wine, restaurants and skate parks, creativity is the focus of the River Arts District in Downtown Asheville.
In its various mediums and form, art adorns the walls, murals form the backsplashes to bars, and graffiti wraps around the revitalized warehouses and brick buildings of the region. This is not just one or two buildings dedicated to celebrating local artisans and a vibrant community spirit, but blocks of it that run alongside the French Broad River. The district is divided into hubs that take up a block or two. Each hub is identified by a color, which is on the signs and map for each corresponding area.
Great news. Our kids loved this district too, even our teen, Kalyra. You know a place is good if it captures the attention of your teen. But since Asheville is brimming with independent shops, a grounded mountain energy, and a spirit of fun centered around entertainment and good food, I was happy wandering up and down the streets for hours.
I was very surprised at how much the downtown Asheville shopping scene had to offer. There are several main streets in Asheville with an interesting store every couple of steps.
What I loved about shopping in Downtown Asheville was discovering the different vibes each street had. One of my favorites was Lexington Avenue where yuppy hip crossed with punk grunge in a way that works.
Here are a few of the stores I loved. I still did not get to see many, so please leave in the comments your tips for my next Asheville vacation. Element Tree Essentials was my favorite store in Asheville.
I could have spent hours in here and bought one of everything. Do you love bees? Get buzzing over to the Asheville Bee Charmer store 2 locations downtown. Down the back is a honey tasting bar, where Bee-ristas take you on a sweet and spicy tasting adventure around the world from local sourwood honey to firecracker hot.
Your tastebuds will be buzzing Beelicious! Not only does it support the local economy, BUT it supports your own body.
Top 10 things to do in downtown asheville
Watch glassblowers at work and see their amazing creations on display in their working studio in downtown Asheville. Their taproom features local beer in hand-blown glasses! Open 7 days. Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter!
Through captivating stories, comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville’s history, current culture, and counterculture with their minute interactive bus tours that depart from downtown. Haunted and beer tours, too! Stroll through this beautiful historic “mall” in downtown Asheville with high quality specialty shops and local restaurants. See local art and craft at the outdoor market. See spectacular contemporary art from artists in western North Carolina and throughout the United States – browsing is welcome in this downtown gallery.
Add rejuvenation and relaxation to your next Asheville adventure! Ideal for girls’ getaways, corporate retreats, and wedding day wellness to help you connect more deeply to yourself, each other, and Asheville. Leave Asheville with a variety of new, high-quality professional photos to remember your trip. A great experience for couples, bachelorette parties, groups, professionals, and locals! See Asheville the best way possible – by electric bike! Get up close to the must-see spots, meander down beautiful greenways and catch stunning views.
Tours daily, departing from their downtown location. Electric bike rentals also. Enjoy professional theatre in the heart of downtown Asheville with world-class productions in a very intimate setting only seats! They also host concerts and other events, so there’s something happening almost every weekend. For 70 years, our Community Theatre has been presenting outstanding musicals, comedies and dramas in downtown.
Watch the “Mainstage” shows in the seat theatre or a big variety of more adventurous productions in their seat black box theatre called 35below. Rooftop sunset tours, too. Tours are rain or shine, with covered and heated areas including fire pits for year-round enjoyment. Van chauffeured transportation! This fine art gallery in the center of downtown Asheville specializes in contemporary figurative and abstract works of United States and international artists creating exceptional paintings and sculptures at all stages of their careers.
Savor hand-crafted, artisanal, organic chocolates and pastries in this extremely popular emporium, served with wine, beer, coffee or tea.
I loved walking through the door on Lexington Street to a room filed with crystals, mandala tapestries, tarot cards, jewelry and books on mystical living. Earth Magick has created a sacred space supporting local artisans by selling their handmade tools and empowerment pieces from Asheville and surrounds.
I know sometimes you want to avoid souvenir type shops for fear of entering tacky-ville, but the Asheville Emporium has a surprising number of cool local gifts. The perfect kind of travel souvenirs. They also have a section at the back where they print their own T-shirts, so cool to see that set up.
Swoon chocolate lovers. Asheville is filed with scrumptious local, hand crafted chocolate. Learn more here , and here is a 3 hour option. See more here. On a previous visit, the girls participated in an art class, which is a fantastic thing to do in Asheville with kids.
Asheville is the Arts, so this is a great way to get to know the culture on a deeper level. You will find various places in Downtown Asheville for art classes. Hummingbird Candle Co offer candle making classes and the FiredUp Lounge has pottery and painting classes. Looking for black owned businesses in Asheville? Check out this guide from my friend Nadeen from The Sophisticated Life.
We visited on a previous trip and the girls loved feeling the full force of a wild storm in the Hurricane Simulator, and exploring the cool crystals on display. Until our last day when we found two stellar cups of coffee. We did not get to taste all of the downtown Asheville coffee shops, but we gave it a good nudge.
Let us know your favorites in the comments? Ah, a real cup of coffee. I lingered over the first sip as it filled me up with coffee love warmth. Summit Coffee Co will be your go to coffee spot in Asheville.
You can trust coffee that is responsibly sourced, and roasted in small batches in their certified organic facility. We visited the funky location in the River Arts District. They also have a location in the Grove Arcade. Thank goodness we found High Five Coffee before leaving Asheville. It seems like there are more Asheville breweries than there are Dublin pubs! The good news is many of them are family-friendly.
Brewery crawls are easy here! With a covered outdoor space and delicious pizzas, Asheville Brewing is a casual place to drop in, especially if traveling with kids. A legend in the North Carolina brewing world, Burial Beer is a must stop on your Asheville brewery tour. We love the Raleigh location — especially their very cool Point Break mural.
And here they have one featuring Sloth from the Goonies. We are annual passholders and head to Biltmore a few times a month. You can easily spend a day at Biltmore touring the house and wine tasting. Grab a bite to eat, walk the gardens, and hike one of their miles worth of trails.
Think red wine and chocolate. See how to make the most out of that Biltmore ticket price. Also, know that there are kid-friendly activities on the Estate , including a farmyard and live demonstrations. If you are visiting Asheville in November through early January, Biltmore at Christmastime is spectacular. Enjoy a Candlelight Christmas Evenings Tour of the home with the fireplaces lit and Christmas trees in every room. One of our personal favorite things to do in Asheville involves visiting The Thomas Wolfe Memorial and taking a house tour.
You might recognize his name from his novel Look Homeward, Angel. Most notably, Wolfe barely changed the names and spellings of his Asheville community members. This was scandalous and ill-received gossip, at the time. She was quite the entrepreneur of her time. Also watch a short video and tour the museum. One of the free things to do in Asheville, the Black Mountain College Museum offers contemporary and historic exhibitions, events, and research opportunities for the community.
We dropped in one afternoon and toured the current art exhibitions. Small but worth a quick visit, you can budget about minutes here. Of course, kids are welcome. This area is a mini-version of Wynwood Walls in Miami, Florida. You might just catch Gus Cutty or Jerry Cahill working on a masterpiece. Watch an indie film at Grail Moviehouse or attend the Uncommon Market.
Bike the new RAD greenway. If you are looking for wilder things to do in Asheville, check out the LaZoom bus. How many times have you spied a purple bus tearing down the streets of Asheville full of giggling and rowdy adults?! We suggest purchasing tickets in advance. Get there early, too, as you board the bus based on your arrival order. Totally worth that ticket price at least once. Walk into a funky, kitschy bar full of eccentric tour guides and cat pillows before hopping on the drunk bus.
Zelda Fitzgerald stole my heart although she did hump a bush in the rain. Find locally crafted bevies. They even hand you a personal cooler. For the best Asheville things to do for your inner geologist, head to the Asheville Museum of Science.
A smaller science learning center, learn more about North Carolina geology and local specimen. AMOS has gemstones, dinosaur bones, and animal installations. Encounter hands-on exhibits and scavenger hunts, learn about the French Broad River, and dig for fossils. AMOS is also one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Asheville. They even have a forest-themed playground with bears. Visitors of the home can take a guided tour, walk the park, hike the grounds, or visit the bookstore.
Looking for dark tourist things to do in Asheville, NC? Head to Riverside Cemetery to pay your respects to literary greats. Henry — are buried here. Grab a walking guide at the gates and stroll 3. Grab our guide to Riverside Cemetery , and see why we think this is one of the best haunted places to visit in Asheville. If you are looking for evening things to do in Asheville, attend a concert. We try to list a few concerts and live music on our Asheville Events Calendar.
Picture quirky and comedic theater under the stars as fireflies light up the night sky. They are magical.
Many of the plays are by Shakespeare, but they mix it up too. Bring or purchase boozy beverages. Theatergoers go all out with their professional picnic baskets. Rent or bring your own chairs and blankets. While tickets are free, leave a generous donation. Performers circulate the crowd at intermission with collection baskets. Well-behaved pooches are welcome.
Grab dinner at Nine Mile beforehand. Riverside Cemetery is nearby. Thinking of attending? Read more about what to expect and bring in our Shakespeare in the Park Guide. For sports lovers and families, one of the most fun things to do in Asheville is to watch the Asheville Tourists play at McCormick Field. The Asheville Tourists are a minor league baseball team. Tickets are a steal although parking is a little funky. Grab souvenirs, local beer, and of course, baseball food.
We highly recommend spending a little time in each. West Asheville is pretty hipster with breweries, trendy restaurants , and a gorgeous Dolly Parton and RuPaul mural. As mentioned above, RAD showcases the most vibrant street art. For local things to do in Asheville, NC touring the neighborhoods truly gives you a feel for residential life.
Heck, it might convince you that you want to move to Asheville — like us. There are tons of things to do in Asheville, NC for book lovers. As mentioned above, you can visit the Carl Sandburg Home, Biltmore library, and even drop into Pack Memorial Library to see history along the walls. Pay your respects to Zelda Fitzgerald who perished in the Highlands Hospital fire, and tip your hat to F.
Scott Fitzgerald while at the Grove Park Inn. BUT, if you are looking for things to do in Asheville that involve buying gifts, fun stuff you never knew you needed, and local treats, we have just the shopping list for you. Battery Park Book Exchange is a multi-level champagne book bar. Located in the historic Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville, they sell used books and have extensive wine, cocktail, and champagne selections.
Asheville offers a ton of shopping in independent stores, boutiques, and open-air markets in all of its districts, including places like Historic Biltmore Village , the River Arts District, West Asheville, and Downtown.
The Grove Arcade is architectural eye candy filled with a little yuppie love, including places like the Battery Park Book Exchange and Asheville Proper. For a little history lesson: E. Grove, also infamous for constructing the Grove Park Inn, opened the Grove Arcade in as a retail center.
During WW2, the Arcade transformed into a more covert military hub. Then, in the National Weather Records Center took over the building until the city reclaimed the space in the 90s. Although you can spend a lifetime doing all of the things in Asheville, we quickly wanted to mention a few brief getaways. Hendersonville is about minutes away from downtown Asheville. A smaller city, find even more cafes, restaurants, shops, bookstores, and the best Hendersonville breweries.
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.
The 35 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC –
Top Things to Do in Downtown Asheville · 1. Grove Arcade · 2. Downtown Asheville Art District · 3. Blue Spiral 1 · 4. Asheville Community Theatre · 5. Pack Square · 6. 15 Best Things to Do in Downtown Asheville · 1. LaZoom Tours · 2. Thomas Wolfe Memorial · 3. Grove Arcade · 4. Asheville Urban Trail · 5. French Broad Chocolate.
