We love living in Asheville for the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, cascading waterfalls, and delicious restaurants catering to diverse palates and dietary needs. Visit our favorite attractions in Asheville that promise a great start to your Western North Carolina getaway.
Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, Asheville Salt Cave, Wake Foot Sanctuary, The Omni Grove Park Inn, and more! This list is packed with unique history and itineraries for each attraction. All photos are our own.
I’m not sure about you, but whenever I arrive in a new place, whether it’s Trieste, Italy, or Ljubljana, Slovenia, I always research the area’s top attractions to see what it’s known for. What am I supposed to see? What shouldn’t I miss? I have to tour blockbusters like the Eiffel Tower, but I also want to bike ride the walls of Lucca instead of waiting in lines all day to see Michelangelo’s David.
Tom and I get sightseeing fatigue easily, and while we won’t hit all of the “musts,” we enjoy getting a feel for a new place. North Carolina is no different, and with so much to do in Asheville, these are my top picks. Need a car? Rent one here.
Start With These Top Asheville Attractions (Cheat Sheet)
If you only have 36 to 48 hours in Asheville and are looking to hit the blockbusters, I suggest starting with these renowned tourist spots. If it is raining, don’t miss my guide to the best things to do during inclement weather.
5 Famous Attractions In Asheville For First-Time Visitors
These are the most well-known places to see in Asheville worth your time and money.
Biltmore Estate
While touring Biltmore Estate isn’t one of the most budget-friendly tourist attractions in Asheville – tickets start at $79+ – we certainly think it is worth it for all that you can do at Biltmore, including the grounds.
Tom and I are Biltmore Estate annual passholders because we love the estate’s hiking trails, restaurants, and special exhibits. We live just over 10 minutes away and still plan overnights during Passholder Appreciation months. Biltmore Estate is also incredibly family-friendly with a farmyard, ice cream shop, and wooden playground.
Get A Feel For Biltmore’s History While Here
The former residence of Edith and George Vanderbilt, Biltmore Estate, is a National Historic Landmark and America’s largest home. Before going, I highly recommend reading Denise Kiernan’s The Last Castle. She taught me the behind-the-scenes of not only the construction of Biltmore Estate but also the people behind it. Who knew Edith engaged in politics? Biltmore is full of fascinating facts, and Kiernan sheds light on the time and construction.
Best Books To Read About Biltmore To Learn More
How To Plan Your Visit
- Tour Biltmore House with stops in the library, indoor pool, Halloween Room, and bowling alley.
- Stroll the gardens for those gorgeous Biltmore Blooms.
- Dine at Biltmore, including Cedric’s Tavern, Village Social, or Stable Cafe (our favorites).
- Shop at Antler Hill Village, and head to Biltmore Winery for wine tasting.
- Stay overnight at one of their gorgeous properties, like The Inn on Biltmore Estate and Village Hotel. The Inn even has a library bar.
- Hike and mountain bike those gorgeous trails. We love the Lagoon and Deer Park Trails up to the Walled Garden.
- Attend beautiful Candlelight Christmas Evenings in the winter to see the holiday decor with blazing fireplaces.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
One of the most iconic Asheville tourist attractions for adults, even as locals, we frequent The Omni Grove Park Inn. We bring all of our out-of-state visitors here, and I most appreciate the holiday events, breathtaking sunsets, dining options, and rooftop drinks. Enjoy free admission, but you might have to pay for parking, depending on the length and time of your stay. This popular guided bike tour stops here, too, promising a unique and fun way to see the property.
History Of The Grove Park Inn
Constructed just after Biltmore in 1913, Edwin Wiley Grove designed the inn along with his sales of Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic – quinine – to prevent malaria. He wished to create a relaxing place in the clean mountain air to improve everyone’s health.
Today, The Omni Grove Park Inn is a luxury resort in North Asheville. It houses a world-class spa and golf course. The stunning property boasts a stone facade and sprawling views of Mount Pisgah and Downtown Asheville. The Grove Park Inn is also one of the most haunted tourist spots in Asheville; keep your eyes out for The Pink Lady. F. Scott Fitzgerald also summered here.
Best Things To Do On Property
- Order sunset drinks and dine at Edison (make reservations).
- Sit with a drink and charcuterie board from The Great Hall Bar in front of the floor-to-ceiling fireplaces or on the second-level terrace.
- Attend the Annual National Gingerbread House Competition each winter.
- Visit Grovewood Village across the street for the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum and Grovewood Gallery.
- Shop in their numerous stores, and shop for Asheville shirts, hiking gear, local art, and holiday ornaments.
👻 If you love all things spooky, take a popular guided ghost tour to see Asheville’s most haunted sites.
River Arts District
If you enjoy art shopping, murals like Miami’s Wynwood Walls, and a riverwalk, the River Arts District (RAD) is a must for sightseeing in Asheville, especially post-Helene, which devastated the area. It’s one of the city’s most eccentric neighborhoods – and my favorite.
Much of Upper RAD is open now, and more and more have reopened in the lower areas closer to the French Broad River.
Just a few River Arts District attractions:
- Walking, skating, and biking the RAD Riverwalk along the French Broad River.
- Looking at urban street art.
- Shopping for clothes, jewelry, home goods, sculptures, pottery, and paintings.
- Snapping a photo with the Asheville Silo (near Baby Bull).
- Eating at delicious River Arts District restaurants like Baby Bull (amazing burgers), Ultra Coffeebar (local coffee & breakfast/lunch spot), and The Bull and Beggar (fine dining/romantic with all the meats).
- Drinking at Ginger’s Revenge (unique GF ginger beer), Hi-Wire RAD Beer Garden, RAD Brewing (gluten-reduced beer options, too), and Anoche (tequila bar).
- Grabbing food and catching a show at The Grey Eagle Music Hall and The Grey Eagle Taqueria.
- Taking a chocolate factory tour and eating dessert or coffee at French Broad Chocolate’s RAD location; I love their vegan bonbons for home and as gifts.
Stay Updated & Support RAD’s Recovery Post-Helene
Visit the River Arts District’s official website to see who/what is reopening and where. Leave a donation and consider signing up for an art class or workshop. Visit their newly opened Downtown Asheville RADA Outpost at 24 N Lexington. Second Gear relocated to the Westgate Plaza. Guajiro – my favorite Cuban food truck – reopened at Hi-Wire Biltmore Village.
Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP)
One of the absolute “must” attractions near Asheville, take a scenic drive down the two-lane, 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). I love the mountain views, gorgeous tunnel entrances, endless overlooks, scenic waterfall hikes, and great Blue Ridge Parkway hiking trails. You might even see wildlife like black bears.
About The BRP
Deemed “America’s favorite drive,” the Parkway spans Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The speed limit is typically 45 mph.
Drop into visitor centers filled with information, gifts, and your NPS passport stamp access. Just keep in mind that much of the BRP will close in the late fall and early winter for fog, ice, and snow. The National Park Service is your go-to for road and facility closure updates. Or, take a popular guided Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall tour.
Where To Start
- The Blue Ridge Parkway lights up with the best fall colors near Asheville. For top Asheville fall foliage hikes, start with Black Balsam and Graveyard Fields.
- Just a few more local hiking trails in Asheville we love include Craggy Gardens, Skinny Dip Falls (even post-flooding), Crabtree Falls, Little Butt, Mount Mitchell, and Craggy Pinnacle. If you are traveling with the entire family, you might prefer these easy and short trails near Asheville.
- Be sure to visit the Pisgah Inn – open seasonally, spring through fall, for great eats and stunning views. Then, hike Mount Pisgah and Fryingpan Mountain Tower. I have an entire guide to the Mount Pisgah area with cool hikes and food.
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Asheville is for bibliotourists, and as a literary traveler, I always visit a city’s bookstores, historic literary sites, national libraries, and book-to-movie filming locations. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is a budget-friendly and unique Asheville attraction – and it’s not as tedious as you might assume. Trust me, I’ve been plenty of times.
History Of The Thomas Wolfe Memorial
The “home” tour is Wolfe’s mother’s boarding house. Julia was quite the entrepreneur of her time. Their family home no longer stands just down the road, but the boarding house is where all of the juicy stories lie.
Local Asheville author Thomas Wolfe is most well-known for his historical fiction tome, Look Homeward, Angel, sharing the time he spent in the boarding house. Yes, I’ve read it – it’s long-winded and a little dry. BUT, you don’t have to read or even like the book before visiting.
In fact, you don’t need prior knowledge about Wolfe to enjoy the tour. Just know he wrote about the townspeople, barely changing their names. It’s sort of like a Burn Book, but not as mean…
What Not To Miss
Take a guided tour through the home, and watch a short film. There is also a small museum with Wolfe’s belongings. Budget one hour of your time; you won’t regret it.
4 Unique Places To Visit In Asheville
Tom and I both seek out less-touristy things to do. Asheville has quite a few unique places that you won’t find anywhere else. Along with my favorites below, I also recommend paying for a wristband and playing vintage arcade and pinball games at the Asheville Pinball Museum. We love Shakespeare in the Park and attending an Asheville Tourists baseball game. Consider a walk through historic Riverside Cemetery, The North Carolina Arboretum, or the Asheville Botanical Garden.
Wake Foot Sanctuary
One of the best places to visit in Asheville after a long day of sightseeing, Wake Foot Sanctuary promises an urban oasis. This is your go-to for a massage and foot soak; make advanced reservations.
Wait, so am I just soaking my feet?
Yes! Yes, you are, but Wake Foot is a transcendent experience. Prices vary based on package/what you want; I spend around $100 (including tip) for a therapeutic foot soak and a 20-minute massage. A foot soak starts at $40+.
The foot soak menu is heavenly, filled with bubbles and botanicals, which they reheat throughout your visit. Then, add a massage, like your feet and legs, or head, neck, and shoulders. Sip on wine or tea while catching up with friends or your partner.
This is a great self-care, solo Asheville activity. Afterward, dine and shop at the Historic Grove Arcade. P.S. If my husband enjoyed it, yours probably will too!
Downtown Asheville
Many people ask us if Downtown Asheville is worth visiting. Yes! Enjoy endless craft breweries, rooftop bars, and award-winning restaurants. For sightseeing in Asheville, spy historic buildings and landmarks. Shop in boutique stores, and attend a festival in Pack Square. Spy vibrant street art, and grab a cup of coffee.
Get A Lay Of The Land First
🗺️ Downtown has multiple famous and popular walkable roads for nightlife, dining, shopping, and history. Head to Lexington Ave., Biltmore Ave., Broad Street, and Church Street. Stroll Page Ave. and Wall Street.
🚗 Best Downtown Parking Lots: Rankin Garage, Civic Center Garage, Wall Street Garage, Coxe Ave. Garage
What To See Downtown
- Battery Park Book Exchange – Enjoy one of the coolest AVL bookshops serving literary cocktails; then, head to Malaprop’s for translated literature and new releases.
- Historic Grove Arcade – On the National Register of Historic Places, find local shops and food.
- The Montford – This is a favorite Asheville rooftop bar with great views.
- Woolworth Walk – Shop at a great art gallery and emporium.
- LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour – Purchase tickets for Asheville’s purple comedy bus; it’s loads of fun.
- French Broad Chocolate Lounge – This is your go-to for all things chocolate in Asheville (with vegan/df options). Get the bonbons.
- Asheville Art Museum – If you love art, this is one of Asheville’s nicest museums. The Asheville Art Museum houses art from the 20th and 21st Centuries.
- South Slope Breweries – Asheville is famous for its beer scene. Our favorites downtown include Green Man, Wicked Weed, and Hi-Wire. Can’t decide? Take a guided walking brewery tour.
James Beard Award-Winning Restaurants
Did you know that Asheville is nicknamed “Foodtopia?” The city boasts the most unforgettable restaurants for foodies. While Tom and I have our favorites, two of the most popular foodie Asheville tourist attractions include Chai Pani and Cúrate. Both have won James Beard Awards.
Become Entranced at Chai Pani
Chai Pani serves the best Indian cuisine in town. Samantha Brown ate here (before their new Buxton digs), and Vice President Kamala Harris invited Chef Melwani to cook for the State Department luncheon.
Select from mouthwatering Indian street snacks. I live for those okra fries and always get the bhel puri. Chai Pani does not take reservations. To avoid the lines, head to their quieter counter-service Downtown and West Asheville restaurant, Botiwalla.
Make Reservations at Cúrate
Reservations at Cúrate are a must, especially if you crave Spanish tapas and sherry. The higher price point is worth it, especially if you appreciate that jamon like I do
More James Beard Recognized Places & People
Just a few more James Beard Foundation highlights:
- Semifinalist Jason Sellers of Plant for Best Chef Southeast
- Semifinalist The Market Place for Outstanding Restaurant
- Semifinalist Josiah McGaughey of Vivian for Best Chef Southeast
- Nominee Neng Jr.’s for Best New Restaurant
- Media award Our South: Black Food Through My Lens by Chef Ashleigh Shanti (Good Hot Fish)
Asheville Salt Cave
A great place to recharge, the Asheville Salt Cave is one my favorite places in Asheville. Imagine lounging in chairs surrounded by 30 tons of pink salt. Tom and I were skeptical at first, too, but it’s heaven. Forty-five minutes fly by when you are listening to water features and breathing in such pure and therapeutic air.
Along with the community salt cave, the Asheville Salt Cave offers massages, sound baths, and a designated children’s playtime. Shop upstairs – we bought a salt lamp for home – and sip a healthy tonic on their back deck. We’ve never experienced anything like it. Be sure to make advanced reservations online.
What are your favorite attractions in Asheville? Let me know in the comments. I’m always updating posts for our readers.