Things To Do
The North Carolina Arboretum
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and miles of trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region. - NC Arboretum All of our guests have a full day to check out the Arboretum in advance of the wedding. Just let the gate know that you're attending the Broyhill-Neely Wedding Reception that evening.
Grove Arcade
Opened in 1929 by E.W. Grove, Grove Arcade was built to celebrate the city he loved so much. Its rich history, ornate architecture, and eclectic mix of shops and restaurants were designed to offer patrons a full-day immersion into Asheville lifestyle and culture. -GroveArcade.com
LaZoom Tours
Grab an Asheville brew and hop on the purple bus for.a historical tour of Asheville with a unique twist of comedy. Not all shows are appropriate for kids. (It is worth noting that we have done two of their tours and we had a blast!) Consult their website for additional info.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Delicious chocolates and hot drinks. Go early to beat the line!
Wedge Brewery at Foundation
Enjoy a local brew in one of their downtown locations. (Verify hours on website due to closures from Helene)
Blue Ridge Parkway
Visit the Folk Art Center and Parkway Visitors center without leaving Asheville. There are also many miles of Mountains to Sea Trail (dirt, single-track hiking) adjacent to the Parkway in this area. There are still road closures from Helene, so the best way to enjoy higher views and cooler weather is by accessing the Parkway via US-276 from Brevard or Canton. Many sections north of Asheville, such as Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell appear closed. Please consult this closure link for planning purposes: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Take the kids for a wooded stroll to see important NC species, such as the black bear, river otter, and red wolf.
Asheville Pinball Museum
For $17 take your choice at 40 pinball machines and 40 classic video games. You can also check out the Grove Arcade while you're here (one of our other recommendations).
Drip Sauna
Spend some time relaxing in a Nordic sauna by the French Broad River. Cold plunge available as well.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
The home of eastern US operations for the Chico, California-based brewery. Try some of their more obscure taps and grab a meal in the restaurant while you're there. Make a reservation ASAP if you plan to take a tour or eat at the restaurant. If the weather is nice you may be able to drop in for a beer on the large stone patio. Avoid peak hours if you don't have a reservation.
Marshall
Check out one of the many smaller towns nearby Asheville. Marshall has gradually reopened after it was hit with major flooding from Helene.
Weaverville
This is the closest small town to Asheville (about 8 minutes away) if the city isn't your thing. There are plenty of local shops and restaurants to fill your day.
Black Mountain
If you made it this far in the list, it's becoming obvious that we love small towns. Grab lunch or dinner at one the many local restaurants, grab a coffee at the Dripolater, and enjoy window shopping without the large crowds of Asheville.
French Broad Outfitters
Your one stop shop for any outdoor adventure. Tube trips along the French Broad River are popular, but this shop also does white water tours and E-bike rentals.