North Carolina is a state filled with gorgeous views, vibrant neighbourhoods, iconic landmarks, and diverse destinations worth exploring. Among its many gems, Asheville stands out as one of the best places to visit in North Carolina, offering panoramic mountain views and a wealth of attractions. It’s a place that is visited by numerous tourists annually. This city is located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, where majestic mountain scenery awaits at every turn. While visiting, you’ll encounter stunning mountain landscapes, forested valleys, and breathtaking natural scenery.
Beyond its natural beauty, this place is home to the famous Biltmore estate and visitors come to Asheville primarily for outdoor recreation and to escape the pace of city life. The fun things to do in Asheville are truly innumerable. There are so many hiking places, museums, tiny house communities, wineries, lakes, and waterfalls that you can explore. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 places to visit in Asheville, North Carolina, along with things to do at each location. The best part is there is something for everyone.
10 Best Places to Visit in Asheville North Carolina
To truly experience this beautiful city, you need to visit its best places in Asheville, North Carolina, that are listed below.
1) The North Carolina Arboretum for Plant lovers
The Arboretum is a botanical garden filled with different species of trees, plants, gardens and trails educating thousands of children and adults about environmental conservation and awareness. Nature lovers will appreciate the efforts that goes into the research and conservation of different species of plants and trees. Don’t miss the winter light shows from November through January where the gardens are lit with more than 1 million lights. Other than that you can visit this place with your family and kids and explore this place. You can take a self-guided tour at your own pace or if you’d like a deeper experience, opt for one of the guided tours. These programs through outdoor activities and exploration create environmental awareness. Another fun thing you can do is explore the different trails. Easy walking trails include the Azalea Collection Trail and the Bent Creek Trail, among others.
2) Blueridge mountain for hike and adventures
Asheville is a paradise for hikers and adventurers. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll discover some of the most stunning natural scenery in the eastern United States. If you are not a hiker,don’t worry — there are plenty of easy hikes for kids and casual walkers too. You can explore scenic trails with your family, discovering beautiful waterfalls and wildflowers along the way and discover beautiful waterfalls and wildflowers. Some of the best hikes you can explore are – The Great Smoky Mountains take their name from the mist that clings to their peaks. These mountains will give you the chance of experiencing one of the best hiking in Asheville. Some popular day hikes include Little Abrams Falls, Andrews Bald, Chestnut Top Trail, and Cooper Road Trail.
3) Visit the famous Biltmore Estate
Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in 1889, the Biltmore Estate has been one of Asheville’s most celebrated tourist attractions ever since. Thousands of people visit this 250-room mansion stepping back in time through antique collections and enjoying fine dining on the estate. Most areas remain open to visitors, including the winery, the house, and the gardens. You can also visit the Biltmore village, situated at the entrance of the estate. Tour through this place with or without a guide and stroll through the gardens, winery and the house. Some of the highlights of this estate are –
- Antler Hill Village and Winery, including the farmyard and Pisgah Playground
- Self guided visit to gardens
- Wine tastings
- Audio guide to biltmore house
- Biltmore rooftop tour
- Red wine and chocolate tasting
4) Try Pisgah National Forest for Recreational Activities
Spanning 500,000 acres, Pisgah National Forest is part of the Great Balsam Mountains and the Blue Ridge range. It is famous for its various outdoor activities like hiking, camping, swimming, and its beautiful waterfalls. You can do so many things here, some notable things to do are –
sliding rock natural water slide – this waterfall known as the sliding rock is a popular summer activity here and kids especially will love this place. You slide down this 60-foot natural waterfall on a tube — a thrilling summer experience..
Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville -this scenic drive will take your breath away. Here you’ll witness some of America’s most celebrated scenic vistas. The best time is from May to October. Some are known as America’s favourite drive, you cannot come to Asheville and miss this drive.
5) Explore the Tailgate Market in Asheville
The North Asheville Tailgate Market is a beloved local market. If you’re looking for organic, flavorful food, this is the place to visit. This Saturday market supports more than 120 local farmers and producers. This outdoor market, which allows dogs as well, is a perfect Saturday morning start.
The produce is fresh, locally grown, and pesticide-free. The variety changes with every season. The outdoor setting, with live musicians playing in the background, makes for a perfect weekend morning. They sell everything from fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and farm products.
Some other tailgate markets in Asheville include:
- Asheville City Market – Downtown
- West Asheville Tailgate Market
- Black Mountain Tailgate Market
- Henderson County Tailgate Market
6) Try Glamping Sites
A must-do activity in Asheville is glamping. Here you camp in luxury. If you love home comforts after a day of adventure but prefer not to rough it, these glamping sites are perfect for you. After having fun in the nearby areas like ziplining, rafting, hiking, return to a home-like setup where you can freshen up, enjoy a delicious dinner, and get a great night’s sleep.
Some even offer resort-like services. You can verify the amenities offered before making a reservation. Explore and do recreational activities and come back to these luxury camps. These camps give you the views of the forest but with the comfort of a home. Some popular glamping sites are –
Glassy Stays – Stay a night in this transparent dome and sleep under the stars in comfort.
Wunderland Resort – Wunderland Resort offers both luxury and budget-friendly glamping options, if you want to explore the forest, try these glamping sites. Other options include Asheville River Cabins and additional glamping retreats throughout the area.
7) Go on Asheville Ghost Tour
If you enjoy bone-chilling locations, try the Asheville Ghost Tour, where a guide leads you through some of the city’s spookiest locations after dark. If you want to know the bone chilling parts of Asheville’s history, try this town’s ghost tours. This city has a dark past, and the places you’ll visit reveal a very different Asheville from what exists today. From ghost stories to tales of murderers, you’ll explore these eerie locations as part of a group. Highlights include stories of the Pink Lady, the Ghost of Church Street, Nazi agent legends, the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Pritchard Park, and much more. Some ghost tour operators in Asheville include: Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours, Asheville Nighttime Walking Ghost Tour, and Haunted History and Murder Mystery Tours.
8) Explore Downtown Asheville
Downtown Asheville is home to many museums, shops, boutiques, breweries, bars and music venues.Visit this vibrant city center and shop to your heart’s content — boutiques and markets filled with locally made designs line the streets. You’ll also find rooftop bars and charming independent bookshops with cosy cafés. Book lovers should head to Malaprop’s Bookstore and have a cup of coffee while reading your favourite book. This beloved independent bookstore has been a cultural cornerstone of Asheville since 1982. If you enjoy handmade crafts, visit local art galleries such as Momentum Gallery and Bottinelli Fine Art. Some must visit places here are –
Grove Arcade — built in the 1920s, this historic building houses shops, restaurants, and galleries has many shops, restaurants and galleries. Do not forget to explore this place.
Tour of Downtown Asheville — take a guided tour to learn more about the city’s culture and history. If you do not have time for a full tour some other places you can visit are battery park book exchange, wicked weed, the Friday Night Drum Circle at Pritchard Park.
9) Omni Grove Park Inn and spa
This historic resort in Asheville has welcomed some of the most famous presidents of the USA. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it has 513 guest rooms and has been serving since 1913 such as the National Gingerbread House Competition. Guests can enjoy activities like golf, tennis, and pickleball, as well as guided tours of the surrounding area. For those seeking a luxury resort experience, the Omni Grove Park Inn is unmatched in Asheville. If you do not have time or want to keep things in your budget try their day spa pass. Some other activities that you can do inside the resort other than sports is luxury spa, resort pools, audio history tour of the inn.
10) Museums
Asheville is home to many museums but some of them are a must. For art lovers, visit the Asheville Art Museum. This museum explores 20th- and 21st-century American art reflecting the cultures of North Carolina and Asheville as well. They do multiple exhibitions every year. Science enthusiasts and kids alike can visit the Asheville Museum of Science where children learn through hands-on interaction with exhibits. It takes under an hour to explore — a must-go if you’re visiting with children. Another museum is the Asheville Pinball Museum. Play as much pinball as you can here and you can even buy some of the machines. There are many more museums like antique car museum, Smith-McDowell House Museum, Asheville Radio Museum, Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center, Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center. Visit these Asheville museums to discover more about the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Conclusion
Asheville is full of wonders. There is much more to discover in Asheville beyond this list. The best way to experience Asheville is to plan ahead and explore the city at your own pace. Other highlights include Chimney Rock State Park, Grovewood Village, and the French Broad River. Asheville offers a wide range of activities to suit every type of traveller.Ultimately, how you plan your visit is entirely up to you. Visiting Asheville promises lifelong memories — from sweeping mountain views to rich culture, fascinating history, and breathtaking natural wonders. Don’t wait — visit Asheville and immerse yourself in its unique blend of art, culture, and nature.