Things To Do
River Arts District
This is a great spot to park the car and walk through endless amounts of art galleries. There are a dozen different buildings that have been converted to artist studios and display areas. You can find a wide variety of beautiful hand made crafts. If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday some of the artist will even be in their shops and studios working! A walking trail is nearby which boarders the French Broad River.
Southern Highland Craft Guild, Folk Art Center
This craft center offers local artists an opportunity to show and sell their work. The building is accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway and there are several hiking trails branching off from the parking lot. This also is in the direction of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the east of the Mississippi, an hour drive up the parkway.
Marquee
This is a fun warehouse set up with individual vendors selling their work. Grab an adult beverage from the bar and explore the artwork within the facility!
Asheville Art Museum
Asheville Museum of Science
We have a very small science museum downtown which is perfect for little ones!
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville
South Slope Brewing District
This is a great spot to try out multiple Asheville breweries! There are roughly 8 breweries in the same neighborhood all within walking distance. Some of our favorites are Green Man, Burial, and Catawba!
Highland Brewing Company
Highland is a fun brewery outside of downtown. They have a nice big green space perfect for kids to run around and have fun! They also have a frisbee golf course.
Hillman Beer
One of our favorite breweries in Asheville, Hillman Beer offers a variety of craft beers and bar food. The brewery has a small free parking lot next to the building, but additional free parking is available in a dirt lot across the street at 37 Sweeten Creek Rd. Pro-tip, avoid the paid parking directly across the street in a paved lot.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
One of the largest breweries in Asheville, it is located near the airport and about 25 minutes from downtown Asheville.
New Belgium Brewing Company
One of the larger breweries in Asheville which offers an overlook of the French Broad River and access to the walking path along the river. Free and paid tours are available of their brewing facility.
The Biltmore
Known as the largest house in America, this historic area is part of the Vanderbilt estate which was built in the 1800's. The estate is over 8000 acres and has numerous gardens and farmland to explore. Tickets for access to the grounds and building are available online. The Biltmore also is home to rotating exhibitions from famous artists. Now through early 2025, Chihuly at Biltmore is the exhibit available for viewing. Access to the Biltmore and this exhibit can be purchased together.
Mt. Mitchell State Park
Mt. Mitchell State Park is home to the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi (6684 ft). Access to the park is free and can be found an hour drive east of Ashville off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Multiple hiking trails are found in this area, many of which lead to the summit of Mt. Mitchell.
Catawba Falls Hike
A moderate hiking trail to one of the largest waterfalls in the area. The trailhead is located 30 minutes east of Asheville. Trail length is 2.7 miles roundtrip.
Craggy Gardens Hike
A short but moderate hike to an open, grassy mountaintop with views of the Appalachians. Located 45 minutes from Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Total trail length is 1.9 miles roundtrip.
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
A moderate 1 mile roundtrip hike to the peak of Craggy Pinnacle which has a 360 degree view of the mountains. The trailhead is located half a mile past the Craggy Gardens Visitors Center, 45 minutes from Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Mt. Pisgah Hike
The trailhead for this 2.3 mile mountaintop hike is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway about 45 minutes from Asheville (Mt. Pisgah Trailhead on Google Maps). The hike is challenging but offers 360 degree views of the mountains. This mountain is the highest peak visible from downtown Asheville located west of the city.
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower Hike
This hike is a moderate 1.9 mile roundtrip that leads to a large fire tower for excellent views. It is located 50 minutes west of Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hiking Near Asheville
We have listed several hikes within a short drive of Asheville that offer some of the best sights in the region. There are hundreds of other trails nearby and too many to list. Waterfalls or overlooks are the most visited hikes in the Western North Carolina region. Visit ashevilletrails.com for a full guide on hiking in the area.
