Discover the best things to do in Asheville, NC, that make this destination so special from locals who know the ins and outs of the city. From waterfall hiking trails and wineries to hidden gems, live music, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, our guide has something for everyone. All photos, writing, and experiences are our own.
It’s hard to get restless in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cheer for the Asheville Tourists, and gawk at George Vanderbilt’s library. See where Katniss found Peeta hiding in The Hunger Games and head to “District 12.” Hunt ghosts on the town’s purple bus. Play vintage pinball and have Sunday brunch on a rooftop overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Watch a comedic version of Shakespeare in the Park surrounded by fireflies. As Asheville residents, these are the things we love to do in our city.
Relax with 30 tons of pink salt
Tom and I love the therapeutic Asheville Salt Cave, and trust me, we were skeptical at first. Now, I want to go as much as possible; it’s heavenly. Sit surrounded by 30 tons of pure pink salt and water features.
The Asheville Salt Cave offers a children’s quiet play session and provides services such as massages, Hammam treatments, and sound healing concerts. Reservations are required. Afterward, shop for relaxing goodies in their store – we own a salt lamp – and order a healthy bevie to enjoy on their back porch. On a clear day, spy Downtown Asheville.
Hit the hiking trails
It’s no secret that hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest is one of the best things to do in Asheville. Heck, it’s one of the reasons Tom and I moved here. We have quite a few favorite trails (many are slowly re-opening since Helene). For the best hikes with views, head to Mount Pisgah, Fryingpan Mountain Tower, Craggy Pinnacle, Lover’s Leap, and Max Patch. For short and easy kid-friendly hikes, trek Bearwallow Mountain, Moore Cove Falls, Hooker Falls, and a part of the Laurel River Trail. Read more in my local gem Asheville hiking trail guide.
Chill visitors love this popular Blue Ridge Parkway guided hiking tour, boasting waterfalls and mountain views. Western North Carolina also has great national and state parks, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, and Gorges State Park.
Watch a Grove Park Inn sunset
Watching the sunset at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn is a must. It’s also a great couple’s activity. You don’t have to stay on the property to access this gorgeous, adult Disney World-like, cabin-feel luxury resort. It’s Asheville lodging at its best. I especially love sitting in a rocking chair in front of the massive stone fireplaces.
I recommend advanced sunset-hour dining reservations at their delicious on-site restaurant, Edison. In November and December, don’t miss their Annual National Gingerbread House Competition; there is nothing else like it. Sip on hot chocolate and shop in their numerous boutiques.
Chase breathtaking waterfalls
Hike the best waterfalls near Asheville. Transylvania County is known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” with over 200+ waterfalls spanning Western North Carolina. A few of our favorites include Linville, Catawba, Mingo, Crabtree, and Looking Glass Falls.
DuPont State Forest’s Triple Falls was a filming scene for The Hunger Games (do their 3-mile, 3-waterfall hike!). Head to Henry River Mill Village, where they filmed District 12; it’s a unique (and spooky) tour that we’ve enjoyed, filled with interesting NC history.
If you are worried about getting lost or don’t have the right gear, consider taking a guided waterfall tour. You might also enjoy this option with a Jeep excursion.
Wine taste at the beautiful vineyards
It’s no surprise that drinking wine is one of our top Asheville things to do. Find countless wineries and vineyards around Asheville, especially in Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA in Henderson County and the Tryon Foothills. I most love:
- Souther Williams Vineyard
- St. Paul Mountain Vineyards
- Stone Ashe Vineyards
- Mountain Brook Vineyards
- Eagle Mountain Vineyards & Winery (Travelers Rest, SC)
Gossip at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial & pay your respects at Riverside Cemetery
Thomas Wolfe is a famous Asheville writer (we have loads of great NC authors). He wrote Look Homeward, Angel, a loose retelling of his life growing up in the city. Admittedly, the book is a little dry and long-winded (I read as much as I could), but The Thomas Wolfe Memorial tour is not. You also don’t have to be familiar with his story to enjoy this particular Asheville attraction.
I highly recommend taking a guided tour of The Thomas Wolfe Memorial, which is Julia Elizabeth Westall Wolfe’s (his mother) boarding house on Market Street. Then, drive over to Wolfe’s grave at historic Riverside Cemetery. O. Henry is also laid to rest in the gorgeous Victorian-style cemetery. All of these stops are perfect for Asheville literary travelers like us.
If you enjoy museums and historic sites, head to the Asheville Art Museum, filled with American art, or the small Asheville Museum of Science for little geologists who want to see a teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton.
Soak your feet with a massage
Wake Foot Sanctuary is one of the most transcendent things to do in Asheville. Go with friends, family, or your partner. Choose from various soothing foot soaks filled with goodies to replenish and rejuvenate. I enjoy the Salty Beach Rose soak with lavender, jasmine, and rose salts paired with a hand/arm or foot massage. Order tea or wine. Make advanced reservations.
Cruise the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
Hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), WNC’s most popular attraction. Running from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, drive along this 45 mph, two-lane road.
Explore gorgeous waterfalls, hikes, and scenic overlooks. Take a relaxed and small guided BRP waterfall tour. The parkway is prettiest in October – filled with fall foliage hikes – and may close for winter weather. Be sure to check the NPS site for road and gate closures.
Discover even more gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway trails near Asheville. Be sure to stop at the seasonal and scenic Pisgah Inn for food. This is our favorite Mount Pisgah area itinerary.
Watch Shakespeare in the Park
One of our favorite free things to do in Asheville includes grabbing dinner at Nine Mile or Tall John’s and watching the Montford Park Players perform a Shakespeare play. Sometimes, they perform other plays like The Little Prince. Picture quirky and comedic theater under the stars as fireflies light up the sky most Friday through Sunday evenings, May through October.
Bring or purchase boozy beverages with a picnic. We suggest taking your comfy canvas folding chairs. While tickets are free, leave a donation.
Sip craft cocktails or brunch on a rooftop bar
The poshest Asheville rooftop bars promise weekend brunch, sunsets, small plates filled with Southern favorites, and jaw-dropping views. I most enjoy:
However, you cannot go wrong with places like Capella on 9, Pillar, or Hemingway’s (Cuban food).
Tour Biltmore Estate like a passholder
Touring Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, is one of the top Asheville attractions for first-time visitors. While this is one of the pricier things to do, everyone should go at least once.
Tom and I are annual passholders for the trails, dining, Biltmore Blooms, and special exhibits – plus all of those discounts, including staycations at the Village Hotel. We take all of our visitors here.
Wine taste, walk the gardens, tour Biltmore House, hike, bike, and eat at their delicious restaurants like Cedric’s Tavern or Stable Cafe. Candlelight Christmas Evenings are magical. And yes, Biltmore is for kids, too (playground, live demonstrations, biking, and a barnyard)! Buy advanced tickets on Biltmore’s website.
I have an entire guide featuring the best things to do at Biltmore to get your money’s worth.
See Winter Lights and flowers at The NC Arboretum
We are members of The North Carolina Arboretum and most appreciate their year-round gorgeous nature, hiking, and biking trails. You will either need a membership or pay for parking per vehicle. See Bonsais and their famous Quilt Garden. I love the NC Arboretum’s rotating special exhibits, which include anything from nature-themed LEGO displays to giant bugs.
In November and December, don’t miss The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights event. Drink hot chocolate with vegan cookies as nature-themed holiday light displays dance to music.
If you enjoy gardens, drop into the free Asheville Botanical Garden on the edge of the UNCA campus. This is a great spot for a quick nature walk or picnic. They also have a Visitor Center (closed in the winter) with souvenirs. Nearby, head to Beaver Lake, just one of the many pretty lakes in and near Asheville.
Devour an unforgettable or award-winning dinner
Nicknamed “Foodtopia” with James Beard award-winning restaurants, it’s no secret that eating out is one of the best things to do in Asheville. Trust me, Tom and I are major foodies and eat out often.
A few of our top Asheville restaurants as locals include:
- Plant – Asheville’s ridiculously good vegan restaurant
- Zambra – Perfect date night, Downtown Asheville restaurant and wine bar
- Posana – Dedicated GF kitchen (Celiac household here)
- Bone & Broth – North Asheville neighborhood tavern
- Nine Mile – Caribbean-inspired, allergy-friendly food
- Cúrate – James Beard & fine dining
- Neng Jr.’s – You’ll want to lick the sauce right off your plate at this West Asheville Asian restaurant
Play vintage arcade games
If you are looking for something fun to do on a rainy day, play vintage arcade games behind the Historic Grove Arcade at the Asheville Pinball Museum. Find older games like Donkey Kong and Frogger, video consoles for Nintendo and Super Nintendo, and pinball machines. There’s a similar museum in Hendersonville.
Learn about critters at the WNC Nature Center
For kid-friendly things to do in Asheville, meet our furry locals at the WNC Nature Center. See black bears, owls, wolves, otters, and red pandas. Find exploration stations and themed playground areas. Wide and paved walking paths are stroller-friendly. If you are a Buncombe County library cardholder, reserve a ZOOM Pass for free admission.
Try all of the craft beers
Asheville has a happening craft beer scene filled with delicious rotating and permanent food trucks. If you can’t decide, take a Downtown Asheville guided beer tour.
As locals, just a few popular (and unique) Asheville craft breweries include:
- Hillman Beer – Get lunch
- Green Man Brewery – My favorite ESB
- Wicked Weed Brewing – A Downtown Asheville staple
- River Arts District Brewing Company – Geek out with their events
- Ginger’s Revenge – Great for those looking for gluten-free beer in Asheville
- Highland Brewing – Fun events, dance parties, and more
- Outsider Brewing – Quirky-fun, small-batch brewing; order from Master BBQ, if they are on-site
- Hi-Wire Brewing – With multiple taprooms across Asheville, we most love their RAD Beer Garden (all those murals and the RAD Riverwalk) and the Biltmore Village location with Guajiro serving up Cuban comfort food
Meet (or run from) Asheville’s ghosts
For dark tourists, take a ghost tour, especially if you love paranormal stories and haunted houses. See why you should never turn off your car at Helen’s Bridge. Eat at a haunted restaurant. Learn about the Grove Park Inn’s Pink Lady. Popular Asheville ghost tours include:
- Asheville Nighttime Walking Ghost Tour
- Asheville Terrors
- Gray Line Trolley Ghost Tour (we found this informative; no walking)
- LaZoom Haunted Comedy Tour (keep reading below; we love this one)
North Carolina has plenty of cryptids, folklore, and monsters similar to Nessie and Bigfoot. The Boojum isn’t just a beer.
Laugh along with LaZoom
How many times have you spied a purple bus tearing down the streets of Asheville full of giggling and rowdy adults? If you are looking for hilariously fun things to do in Asheville, check out the LaZoom bus.
LaZoom offers different comedy tours specific to age and audience. Enjoy their funky, kitschy bar full of eccentric tour guides and cat pillows. We loved the ghost tour where Zelda humped a bush in the rain. You never know what to expect.
Cheer for the Asheville Tourists
For sports lovers and families, watch the Asheville Tourists play at McCormick Field. This is AVL’s minor-league baseball team. Grab souvenirs, local beer, and baseball food. Watch cheesy in-between-innings games, and join in for the wave. Snap a photo with Ted E. Tourist. Maybe even see fireworks. Tickets are pretty budget-friendly.
Attend a hipster or mainstream concert
Thrillest named AVL as one of the best music cities in the United States. If you are looking for evening things to do in Asheville, attend a concert. Asheville hosts a variety of festivals and concerts at places like:
- Thomas Wolfe Auditorium/Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville
- Wortham Center For The Performing Arts
- The Grey Eagle Music Hall
- The Orange Peel
Or, take a day trip or weekend getaway to Greenville. We saw Disturbed, Falling In Reverse, Seether, Staind, and Blink-182 at The Bon Secours Wellness Arena. We will be seeing Melissa Etheridge at the Peace Center.
Bike down those gorgeous mountains
When visiting Asheville, guests love taking this guided Historic Downtown Asheville e-bike tour, which includes a bike, helmet, and guide. For more adventurous Asheville activities, try mountain biking. You will need a solid mountain bike.
The best trails include:
- Bent Creek Experimental Forest
- Old Fort Gateway Trails
- Fonta Flora & Point Lookout Trail
- DuPont State Forest
- Swamp Rabbit Trail (Greenville, SC)
- Thermal Belt Rail Trail
Go on a mural hunt
Can you spot Dolly, RuPaul, Ella the “Joan of Asheville,” Homer Simpson, and The Dude? With such a vibrant arts scene, it’s no surprise that Asheville has terrific murals and urban art.
To start, we recommend heading to West Asheville or the River Arts District (as everyone begins to rebuild post-Helene). In Downtown Asheville, check out Triangle Park, paying homage to the city’s most important people and moments in the Black community.
Blue Ridge Roller Derby!
Yes! Thank you!