Things To Do
The Omni Grove Park Inn
One of the country’s most celebrated resorts for its history, elegance, and southern charm. Ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports, and politics have stayed at this one-of-a-kind hotel. This historic resort offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, innovative and locally sourced restaurants, a Donald Ross designed golf course, an expansive tennis and fitness center, an award-winning Spa, and spacious convention facilities. This AAA Four-Diamond Property is listed on Fodor's "Top 10 Luxury Spa Resorts" and Travel + Leisure’s rankings of “Top Spa Resorts” in the world.
Biltmore
George Vanderbilt's historic country estate in Asheville, NC; Biltmore includes Biltmore House--America's largest home--plus gardens, winery, Antler Hill Village, historic farm, 4-star Inn on Biltmore Estate, shops, restaurants, branded products, and outdoor adventures. This National Historic Landmark is an amazing destination offering a wide range of activities for all ages.
Moogseum
The museum is full of historical, musical, and science-based interactive exhibits that bring Bob’s legacy alive to inspire expansive thinking. Through the space visitors are invited to play theremins and synthesizers, learn how electricity becomes sound, and delve into more than 1,000 pieces of archival material through custom-designed touchscreen kiosks. Hundreds of those items can only be found at the Moogseum, which is the only entity that has access to the Moog Family Archives.
South Slope Brewing District
"The South Slope" has eight breweries all within walking distance of each other. Some of the local favorites are Green Man, Funkatorium (Wicked Weed - address listed above) and Twin Leaf. Green Man has been brewing legendary English Style Ales since 1997. Funkatorium, offshoot of Wicked Weed Brewing, offers a wide selection of sour and wild beers. The tasting menu is created to complement their beer selection and wooded beer caskets give this venue an old world feel. The new kid on the block is Twin Leaf Brewing. With an exciting beer list, beer yoga on weekends and a selection of group games, this brewery is pushing the limits. This neighborhood is not solely about beer. Vortex Doughnuts offers hand crafted, locally sourced doughnuts and beverages. Next door to Vortex, Buxton Hall barbecue restaurant transformed a former skating rink, created by Chef Elliott Moss. French Broad Chocolate Factory has daily self-guided tours of the facility and chocolate tastings.
Take in some Live Music
World-class venues and talented local musicians, there's something for everyone to enjoy. We encourage you to arrive a day or two early to explore the city's rich musical heritage. From intimate listening rooms to lively outdoor festivals, you'll find yourself immersed in the rhythm of Asheville. Who knows, you might even discover your new favorite band!
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Western North Carolina is known for its love of food and passion for great craft beer. At the Mills River Taproom and Restaurant you’ll find an abundance of both. Visit the Taproom to sample one of their 23 beers on tap, many produced just a few feet from the restaurant. Beers are accompanied by artful, chef-driven food focused on small plate, sharable, whole animal and farm-to-table dishes sourced mainly from local suppliers. While you’re there, grab a beer and head outside to our Back Porch and Beer Garden to take in the views of the beautiful forest or stroll through our Mills River Estate Garden. We use the homegrown vegetables and herbs for our restaurant and small-scale pilot brewery.
Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls is one of the most popular falls in Western North Carolina. It is located inside Pisgah National Forest. The name "Looking Glass" comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and then glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. Looking Glass Creek, which flows past the rock, is also named for the impressive natural structure. Its easy accessibility makes Looking Glass Falls a popular spot for travelers along U.S. 276 near Brevard. The falls are 60 feet tall. Fun fact: Several Hollywood movies have been filmed inside Pisgah National Forest including: The Hunger Games, The Last of the Mohicans, and Hacksaw Ridge.
Chimney Rock State Park
Experience the best of the North Carolina mountains in one place at Chimney Rock State Park, just 25 miles from Asheville in the Village of Chimney Rock and Rutherford County. For the last 100+ years, tourists have journeyed to see this towering monolith, and the park's "one-stop shopping" for what the mountains are loved for: dramatic scenery, exhilarating hiking trails, rare plants, native wildlife, and one of North Carolina's highest waterfalls. Hickory Nut Falls is most famous for being featured in the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans, with the final fight scene at the brink of the falls.
DuPont State Recreational Forest
DuPont State Recreational Forest is an outdoor lover's dream with many waterfalls and 86 miles of trails on protected 10,000 acres. Located between Brevard and Hendersonville, it's an easy 40-mile drive from Asheville. Most visitors flock to the three-mile roundtrip hike to three waterfalls (Hooker, Triple, and High Falls), but there's so much more to explore! Take a variety of waterfall and lake hikes, or trek to the top of Cedar Rock or Stone Mountain for mountain views. It's also one of North Carolina's best mountain biking and horseback riding areas.
The North Carolina Arboretum
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.