Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Asheville, North Carolina. #Top Attractions

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Get a glimpse of the marvels of Asheville, North Carolina. Look at our recommended travel activities and attractions in Asheville, North Carolina, to get the most out of your time there. Check out the list of the best things to do in Asheville, North Carolina, and places to go in Asheville, North Carolina below. We at Wondrous Drifter, a Web 3.0 travel startup, have big plans to shake things up in the travel business.

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore EstateAsheville, North Carolina
Biltmore EstateAsheville, North Carolina / Jennifer Boyer / Flickr

The Biltmore Estate is one of the top attractions in North Carolina.

This is a must-see for anyone with interest in design or winemaking. While there, don’t miss out on the estate’s delightful and exciting day trips. So what are you waiting for?

This massive country estate originally belonged to George Washington Vanderbilt.

It is now known as the state’s largest private residence.

Asheville, a town in North Carolina, was founded in 1797 and was called for by the previous governor Samuel Ashe.

The construction of George Washington Vanderbilt II’s residence, Biltmore, launched the city’s climb to greater recognition in 1895.

A full day might easily be spent exploring the mansion and enjoying wine at Biltmore.

Over 200 artists are keen to offer their thoughts to visitors, who can purchase their creations in the industrial zone.

Visit Biltmore Estate, which was transformed from a need into an excellent platform for culture, creativity, and enjoyment.

Address: Asheville, NC 28803, 1 Lodge St.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best places to go in Asheville, North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best places to visit in North Carolina.

This is the perfect setting for those who like to travel by car!

The Blue Ridge Parkway can be accompanied all the way from the Great Smoky Mountains to Richmond, Virginia, which is a distance of 469 miles.

If you come here, you must drive carefully at a speed of 45 miles per hour.

Pull-offs along the route urge vehicles to take a moment to appreciate the landscape’s beauty.

The Greenway is lined with flowering rhododendron bushes and wildflowers during the spring and summer months.

There are numerous hiking routes along the Blue Ridge Parkway, many of which lead to breathtaking waterfalls.

Summer days are ideal for traveling if you want to be tranquil and less congested while experiencing a variety of exciting activities.

Visitor centers, mile markers, and other attractions are included in the standard parkway map for safe driving because there are sections of the Parkway with no cell phone reception.

Explore and visit Blue Ridge Parkway!

Address: Asheville, North Carolina 28803

Brewery

Brewery Asheville, North Carolina
Brewery, Asheville, North Carolina / Toshiyuki IMAI / Flickr

Asheville, North Carolina, is known as Beer City for a reason, and viewing breweries is a must-do when you’re in the area.

Even though the city has a population of just over 90,000, it has several breweries and distilleries that produce distinctive, locally created beverages.

The stunning Funkatorium taproom at Wicked Weed, which is praised for its industrial-chic charm, can be found on the premises.

They are known for their sour beers, which can be purchased in a gift shop that is laid out according to pH level and barrel size.

Highland Brewing is a must-see for beer lovers.

Even though it was formed in 1994, it became the first permitted brewery after Prohibition.

As a direct outcome, it has developed into the Southeast’s most successful privately run brewery.

Oscar Wong, a brewer who has won multiple awards, is widely regarded for pioneering the craft beer movement throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

This is a terrific choice for beer connoisseurs who appreciate the finer things in life.

Address: 91 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens, Asheville, North Carolina
Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to go in Asheville, North Carolina

If you are seeking some calm away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Botanical Gardens in Asheville are an ideal site to explore.

It has a 10-acre non-profit autonomous botanical garden within two miles of the city center.

This lesser-known jewel is also a haven for rare wildflowers, thanks to its 10 acres of best nature walks, waterways, bridges, and picnic areas.

If you plan to spend the evening inside, don’t forget to bring a book and a blanket.

A garden exhibit might incorporate everything from trees and flowers to local variations to provide a more unique and personalized experience.

Make time to travel today to Asheville, North California. This is without a top choice of things you can do here.

Botanical Gardens is a lesser-known Asheville destination because of its stress-free environment.

You should really take your loved ones and close friends to see this amazing garden.

Address: 151 WT. Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, NC 28804, United States

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Craggy Gardens

Craggy Gardens Asheville, North Carolina
Craggy Gardens, Asheville, North Carolina / chucka_nc / Flickr

You might be lucky enough to see a breathtaking sunset over those instantly recognizable rolling green hills here on Black Mountain.

In around half an hour, you may go from Asheville to milepost 364.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Trekking through Craggy Gardens is an excellent way to take in all of the stunning flora that the area has to offer.

The odd patterns of the trees in Craggy Gardens’ wooded region make them stand out.

In Asheville, North Carolina, approximately 20 evergreen trees are fragile and vulnerable.

These trees have deformed branches and stem due to the harsh weather conditions at higher elevations.

Craggy Gardens can be found on Hemphill Knob Rd.

Bring your loving dogs and have a picnic area and other conveniences. Craggy Gardens Trail offers terrific views of wildflowers, the Black Mountain Range, and a unique wooded environment at less than one mile in length.

Address: 364 Blue Ridge Parkway, Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA

Diana Wortham Theatre

Diana Wortham Theatre Asheville, North Carolina
Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, North Carolina / Warren LeMay / Flickr

This spot should be on your itinerary. What exactly are you waiting for? Invite your friends or family to see amazing performances here at Diana Wortham Theatre.

Situated at the heart of Pack Square’s thriving fine arts district.

The area is located within one mile of a significant number of off-street parking spots as well as a diverse selection of restaurants in the downtown area.

Throughout the year, the Wortham Center hosts events by nationally traveling music and dance ensembles.

The Diana Wortham Theatre is located here, and it’s a premier venue for a wide range of performers.

Terpsicorps Theater of Dance, Asheville Puppetry Alliance, and the Asheville Lyric opera are among the Diana Wortham Theatre’s performers.

Art fans shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to tour the Pack Square Cultural District in Asheville, which is generally located in North Carolina.

Enjoy an entertaining show with the entire family in this cozy 500-seat venue’s small environment and diverse range of performances!

Address: 18 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Considering a trip to North Carolina? Don’t miss out on these comprehensive travel guides for Fayetteville and Boone. Take time to notice these cool things to do in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the fun things to do in Boone, North Carolina.

Folk Art Center

Folk Art Center, Asheville, North Carolina
Folk Art Center is one of the best places to go in Asheville, North Carolina

Visit the Folk Art Center now, where you’ll find the best of the region’s handcrafted goods.

Located at milepost 382 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

All kinds of handicrafts are on display in three galleries, including pieces of jewelry, artworks, and paintings.

In 1890, Yale grad Frances Goodrich arrived in Asheville to serve as a missionary.

Around the early 1900s, she opened the Allanstand Craft Shop in order to assist local Appalachian women who made traditional blankets and bedspreads.

As a result, the Folk Art Center contains a wide-ranging collection of Appalachian-themed art pieces.

The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s facility can be found in this residence.

When it comes to the guild, there are 900 artisans throughout nine Southeastern states who have been juried into the club.

You won’t regret that you went if you put in the effort to go here.

Address: Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Gray Line Trolley

Gray Line Trolley Asheville, North Carolina
Gray Line Trolley Asheville, North Carolina / Smart Destinations / Flickr

It’s fantastic. Even if you grew up in Asheville and know everything, this place is impressive, and you have to put it on your list.

You may design your own tour of Asheville with our hop-on, hop-off trolleys that showcase the history of this country.

This document includes everything from a kid-friendly city’s history to a dark look at society’s realities to a terrifying ghost hunt.

A variety of tour options are offered for those who prefer a hop-on, hop-off tour.

Experience the River Arts District, Grove Arcade, and Biltmore Village in downtown Asheville.

The gastronomy and craft beer areas, as well as unique businesses and studios, are all waiting to be found in this renowned city!

Plan your vacation around how much time you want to devote to the city’s most popular attractions. 

Explore the city’s history, artwork, and culture with knowledgeable tour experts.

Address: North Carolina’s Asheville is located at 36 Montford Avenue.

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Grove Arcade

Grove Arcade Asheville, North Carolina
Grove Arcade Asheville, North Carolina / Sergiy Galyonkin / Flickr

If you’re looking for a unique gift, local art galleries, craft fairs, and the Grove Arcade open-air market are great places to start.

Edwin Wiley Grove envisioned and built the Arcade, intending to make it the city’s beating heart, and he succeeded.

Grove Arcade, a North Carolina landmark since 1929, has long been regarded as one of the state’s most beautiful structures.

Breathe in the fresh air and quinine were the mainstays of Grove’s mission.

Even though Grove did not survive in seeing his vision for the Grove Arcade realized as George Vanderbilt accomplished with Biltmore, the Grove Arcade became an important commercial hub.

The Grove Arcade was leased back to Asheville in 1997 after serving as a military munitions storage facility during WWII.

You’ll be delighted it’s accessible to the public again as a marketplace if you get the chance to see it.

Downtown Asheville’s Grove Arcade is a historical architectural monument on Battery Hill that you must see.

Address: 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Grovewood Gallery Asheville, North Carolina
Grovewood Gallery Asheville, North Carolina / Jennifer Boyer / Flickr

The Grovewood Gallery is one of the best things to do in North Carolina.

In Asheville’s Grovewood Village, you’ll find a treasure trove of architecture, tradition, and fine art.

The picturesque site is situated behind the Omni Grove Park Inn, originally home to Biltmore Industries’ textile and woodworking facilities.

A component of the 11-acre Grovewood Village on the National Register of Historic Places, which also houses the Estate-Winn Antique Car Museum as well as the Biltmore Industrial Homespun Exhibit.

Grovewood Gallery is now home to a wide range of contemporary items from artists throughout the United States and North Carolina.

More than 500 artists’ works are exhibited, and the sculptural parks outside create a tranquil and restful atmosphere for those who visit.

As a whole, the collection exudes an air of whimsy and nostalgia.

It’s become an Asheville institution for art lovers and is now regarded as one of the best craft merchants in the United States.

One of the most essential concepts and categories in the United States is housed in the Grovewood Collection.

Address: 111 Grovewood Rd, Asheville, NC 28804

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LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours

 LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour Asheville, North Carolina
LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour, Asheville, North Carolina / Bradford Fults / Flickr

Asheville is recognized as a town where the hills and the strange collide in a unique way.

LaZoom Comedy Tours, which have won numerous awards, have never taken place anywhere else.

While on board the bus, wacky events take place as the driver shows you things to see in the downtown area of Asheville.

You will never forget the memories you made here from the start of your visit till the end.

Enjoy the city with LaZoom’s wild guides to uncover Asheville’s vibrant, beating heart and wacky sense of humor.

People from all walks of life enjoy LaZoom, whether they’re natives or tourists.

The giant purple bus is ready to create an impact, and it will definitely do so while also teaching you about history!

Find out what makes Asheville tick and its unique sense of humor by visiting the area with LaZoom Asheville Bus Tours!

Address: 76 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Museum Of Science

 Museum Of Science, Asheville, North Carolina
Museum Of Science is one of the best places to go in Asheville, North Carolina

Take a trip to the Asheville Museum of Science if you’re an aspiring geologist.

An educational facility dedicated to studying North Carolina geology and native specimens.

Located in downtown Asheville and features a collection of unusual minerals from North Carolina.

It’s hard to pick a favorite aspect of this museum because there are so many different things to see and do here.

You can use a French Broad River Water table exhibit to make it rain.

It is possible to experience the full brunt of a hurricane’s fury through a computer-based hurricane simulator.

You will have the opportunity to get up and personal with a T-rex skeleton and engage with it.

The North Carolina geology is well-represented in the Colburn Hall of Minerals.

One of North Carolina’s tiniest museums, the Asheville Museum of Science offers a variety of educational activities for visitors. There are a lot of unique displays to take pictures with you. 

Address: 43 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

North Carolina Arboretum

North Carolina Arboretum Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, North Carolina / anoldent / Flickr

Travelers with a green-fingered nature will wish to add the North Carolina Arboretum to their itinerary.

North Carolina Arboretum’s 434-acre site is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway near downtown Asheville and provides a variety of attractive landscapes and wilderness features.

Over 10 miles of hiking and bicycling trails are available at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-affiliated gardens.

There are 65 acres of gardens to explore, as well as various themed gardens if you visit.

Collections in the United States are on display in a trade show, and the National Native Azalea Gathering is a delight for flower-lovers worldwide, as is the Southern Appalachian Heritage Vegetable patch.

Situated out off the Blue Ridge Parkway

There are ten miles of hiking and bike paths, some more difficult than others, and a variety of activities for young people.

Remember to visit the learning center where you can find out more information and get some beverages there at Savory Thyme Cafe.

Address: Asheville, North Carolina 28806, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way

Omni Grove Park Inn Spa

Omni Grove Park Inn Spa Asheville, North Carolina
Omni Grove Park Inn Spa, Asheville, North Carolina / Warren LeMay / Flickr

If you’re seeking hotels with swimming pools for winter, you’ve gone to the perfect place.

It features steam rooms packed with loungers by fireplaces, pleasant fragrances, and contract pools to relax in, all supplied on a comprehensive service menu.

Enjoy 43,000 square feet of solitude and quiet coupled with diverse treatment waterfall pools and a swimming pool draped with 6,500 fiber-optic stars and aquatic music.

Features a 6,500-star fiber optic ceiling, two waterfalls, and music played from below, and the spa is a work of art.

The United States Supreme Court used it as a suitable site during the Cold War.

Even if you don’t see it, the spa’s history adds a layer of meaning to the experience.

Also, Spa Day Passes and treatments grant you access to every spa offering so you can destress from your tiring day.

Overall, Omni Grove Park Inn is the dream location for a wonderful spa time with your friends and family in Asheville!

Address: 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804, United States

Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest Asheville, North Carolina / Jeff Gunn / Flickr

Pisgah National Forest, located about 30 miles southwest of downtown Asheville, is a veritable playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

You may spend hours exploring all the forest has to offer, from its many hiking paths to its many waterfalls and pools of water.

In addition to picnicking, rock climbing, hiking, and bicycling, visitors can plunge 60 feet down the Sliding Rock to a unique lake, gaze up at the 1700-foot-high Looking Glass Rock, and take in the pristine splendor of Cold Mountain’s natural surroundings.

This woodland was previously part of the Biltmore Estate, which owned the land in question.

The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, America’s first school of forestry, is now located there.

All three ranger districts have much to offer waterfall-lovers, but experienced climbers may prefer the Grandfather and Appalachian districts, which are further away from cities.

Aside from the fact that you must obtain a camping permit before setting up camp, there are lots to see and do in the area.

The Pisgah National Forest’s miles of varied routes make this area a popular hiking and camping destination.

Address: 1600 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, USA

Pritchard Park Drum Circle

Urban Trail, Asheville, North Carolina
Pritchard Park Drum Circle is one of the best places to go in Asheville, North Carolina

What are you waiting for? Bring your fantastic drum, and don’t miss out on the fun in Pritchard Park Drum Circle.

Together, they put on an incredible set of impromptu jams reverberating across a nearby park and the surrounding region.

This event attracts a wide range of drummers from all walks of life.

Anyone can join in the fun by watching, drumming, or dancing; no experience is necessary.

Percussion instruments like dunduns, djembes, congas, and shekeres produce appealing rhythms.

There is a tendency for a throng of eager spectators and enthusiastic dancers alike to progressively gather to enjoy the show.

To keep Asheville, North Carolina, strange, the Pritchard Park Drum Circle is reported to congregate.

Dance to the deafening beat of the dozens of drums while watching individuals around you.

Alternatively, you may join in the fun by playing or dancing yourself!

Is it the sound of drums? Downtown’s drum circle is waiting for you.

Address: 67 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

River Arts District

River Arts District Asheville, North Carolina
River Arts District, Asheville, North Carolina / nschouterden / Flickr

For local artists lovers, a visit to the River Arts District will be a must.

The River Arts District in Asheville, NC, comprises 22 historical and original industrial buildings.

Along the French Broad River, there are a variety of historic buildings, such as a cotton mill and a tannery, that contrast sharply with the contemporary art on display.

Asheville’s most popular eateries and a brewery can be found in this neighborhood, making it a great place to stop between galleries.

From paintings to ceramics to photographs, there are more than 200 artists working in the River Arts District. You may see their creations as you stroll through the area.

You’ll be able to meet the creators behind many of the gorgeous gifts and even find some handcrafted accessories here!

If you’d like to meet a talented artist, be sure to check their studio’s operating hours beforehand.

Address: Postal Code: 28801 (Asheville, North Carolina)

The Moog Factory

The Moog Factory Asheville, North Carolina
The Moog Factory, Asheville, North Carolina / David Hilowitz / Flickr

Enjoy your hands on the instruments at The Moog Store, or plan a studio trip to have the whole Moog experience!

The Moog synthesizer was a massive brand in entertaining and musical production when it first appeared in the 1960s at the Moog Factory.

This factory provides a rare opportunity to see how an instrument like this is made up close and personal.

Asheville, NC-based synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog started the company, which manufactures electronic stringed instruments by hand.

Therefore, it should be no surprise that this is one of the most attractive tourist sites in Asheville for people interested in music.

Incredibly, Asheville was the birthplace of such a significant element of musical culture!

Visit and learn how to build Moog synthesizers from scratch, how they’re assembled, tested, and what it’s like to hold and play one of these instruments.

Address: 160 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Thomas Wolfe Memorial Asheville, North Carolina
Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Asheville, North Carolina / Warren LeMay / Flickr

The “Old Kentucky Home” tour will take you back to see how Asheville developed from a little farming community to a bustling resort town in the early twentieth century.

It is interesting to note that it has become one of the most famous tourist sites in Asheville.

Wolfe’s parents bought the house in 1906 when he was six years old and had no money of his own to pay for it.

A boarding house was built on the spot, and Wolfe’s life was forever changed by the events there.

The dilapidated Victorian mansion is now a museum that draws people from all over the world.

He used this as inspiration for his novel “Look Homeward, Angel,” which was widely panned because of how it depicted Asheville and its residents.

This may have contributed to Wolfe’s decision to leave the city and not return for over a decade following the book’s release.

Remember to stop through the welcome center, which features a re-creation of the residence that Wolfe would eventually call home in his final years.

Address: 52 N Market St., Asheville, North Carolina 28801 (USA)

Urban Trail

Urban Trail, Asheville, North Carolina
Urban Trail  is one of the best places to go in Asheville, North Carolina

Going to Urban Trail is an excellent place to have some sightseeing while you’re visiting this North Carolina city’s historical landmarks.

Public sculptures depicting notable people and events from the area are placed at every one of its 30 points along the Asheville Heritage Trail, which was commissioned by the city of Asheville.

The trail begins in Pack Square at the crossroads of Patton Avenue and Biltmore Avenue and revolves around the downtown area, culminating in a bronze sculpture in the square.

Visitors and residents alike describe the urban path as a low-impact outdoor scavenger hunt ideal for a fun day outside.

In 1997, it was created as a lighthearted tribute to the flatiron buildings that appeared in New York City in the early 1900s.

Take a look at the statue known as Urban Train, which is one of Asheville’s public artworks and is well-known throughout North Carolina for its hilarious, ideological content!

Address: 11 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

Volunteer At Animal Shelters

Animal Shelters in Asheville, North Carolina
Animal Shelters in Asheville, North Carolina

Looking for meaningful activities? One option is to help out at an animal shelter for abused and abandoned animals. Uncontrolled breeding and careless pet owners have led to a serious pet overpopulation problem. To stop the growing number of stray, homeless dogs and cats, drastic steps need to be taken. Too many unwanted pets lead to issues that animal shelters can only solve.

By volunteering, you help raise awareness and contribute to the solution for pet overpopulation, neglect, and abuse.

Whether you already have a pet or you’re thinking of adopting a pet of your own, you will gain valuable experience in caring for animals by volunteering. Perhaps you might need volunteer experience for a college or job application in the future. People like to see applicants volunteer. It shows that you care about others and value a sense of community. If you happen to fall in love with a particular cat or dog while volunteering, that’s okay too. If you are in a position to adopt a new best friend, you might give someone that second chance at love and life!

Learn more about the animal shelters in Asheville, North Carolina, where you can dedicate your time. Donate to an animal shelter.

Traveling and having fun in the USA? You have to check out this page – the best states to visit in USA for the most fun and unusual travel ideas.

Are you still on the fence about visiting Asheville, North Carolina? Check out reasons to visit Asheville, North Carolina, at least once in your lifetime here.

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