Asheville unfolds in layers. A downtown built for wanderinga creative scene that plays out across studiosstageskitchensand workshopsand mountains that feel close enough to touch.
It is a place where creativity is livednot curated. Meals come from chefs who know their farmers by nameart is made in former factories and riverfront studiosand the outdoors feels less like an activity and more like a constant presence.
Whether you’re here for a weekend escape or a longer staythese 50 ideas offer a starting point for discovering Asheville the way locals know it: through foodartmusicnatureand the kind of moments that don’t always make an itinerary but stay with you long after you leave.
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What are the top things to do in Asheville?
Visit Downtown Asheville
1. You feel it the moment you stroll through Asheville’s vibrant city center – it’s a creative mountain vibe that speaks to people near and far. Lining the streets of this walkablevibrant city center you'll find an eclectic mix of independent shopscraft breweriesand some of the best dining options in the southeast. The neighborhood invites imagination and explorationand the list of experiences to enjoy here is extensive and ever-evolving.
2. Take in Asheville's freshest talent with the many lively street performances from talented buskers. The energizing sounds draw from places near and farwith instruments ranging from the ethereal Australian didgeridoo to found objects like washboards dripping with Americana. Reliable spots to catch a performance are around the Grove Arcade and near Pack Square.
3. Go shopping for cool indie wareswearable artlocal designsand vintage s at one of many chic boutiques and eclectic markets.
4. Hop on a tour and learn how this hip mountain town came to be. Jump aboard LaZoomthe big purple busfor an irreverent look into Asheville’s colorful historyor cruise through town on the hop-on-hop-off Gray Line trolley tours guided by local storytellers. If you fancy an amblelearn more about the city’s unique past on a self-guided walking tour along the Urban Trailthe Black Cultural Heritage Trailthe Asheville Architecture Trailor the South Slope Mural Trail.
5. Peruse Asheville's legendary independent bookstores like Malaprop'sor enjoy your books with a side of bubbly at the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar.
6. Find that perfect piece of art or handmade craft available for sale at downtown art galleriescraft fairsor the open-air market at Grove Arcade.
7. Climb to the top of Asheville's tallest buildings and enjoy the view from above at one of the many rooftop hangouts. See our guide to Asheville's best rooftop bars for the full list.
8. Hear some drumming in the distance? Follow the rhythm to the downtown drum circlea long-standing Friday night tradition.
9. Explore Asheville's darker side with a nighttime Haunted Asheville touror solve the clues to break out of an escape room at Breakout AshevilleFox-n-Otteror A-Escape.
Visit the Biltmore Estate
10. America's largest home and a living legacy of the opulent gilded agethe Biltmore sits on 8,000 acres just south of downtown Asheville. Tour George W. Vanderbilt’s 250-room châteauor better yetupgrade to a special behind-the-scenes or rooftop tour for a unique perspective. You'll also want to allow time to explore the century-old gardenssample the offerings at Biltmore Wineryenjoy shopping and family activities at Antler Hill Villageand take advantage of some of the outdoor offeringsfrom horseback riding and falconry to biking and hiking.
11. Visit Biltmore Villagelocated outside the entrance of Biltmore Estate. Designed by Richard Sharp Smith to look like a small English Villagethis former neighborhood for estate workers is one of the earliest examples of a planned mixed-used community. Wander the shaded cobblestone paths to explore the myriad shopsfine craft galleriesand eateries.
Experience the Great Outdoors
12. The great outdoors are calling. The breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains has lured travelers to the region for over a centuryand no trip to Asheville would be complete without exploring some of America’s most cherished national forestslike Pisgah and Nantahala.
13. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Known as “America’s favorite scenic drive,” this 469-mile road passes right through Asheville and serves as your gateway to outdoor adventure.
14. Lace up your hiking shoes and explore timeworn trails dotting the mountain landscape. Trails range anywhere from easy-as-pie to whoa Nellie! Use our Asheville Hike Finder to easily filter by distance from downtowntrail lengthand difficulty level.
15. Bike the Blue Ridge! Whether you bike the road or stick to the trailsthere are plenty of ways to challenge yourself with a bike ride in the mountains.
16. Asheville is home to hundreds of native and migratory species of birds. Grab your binoculars and practice your birding skills. Bonus points if you spot a peregrine falcon; this threatened species likes to mate and nest in cliffs and rock faces in these mountains.
17. Discover Asheville's wild side. From foraging bears to herds of elk to remarkable species of firefliesnative wildlife abounds in the Blue Ridge. It's also easy to discover at the WNC Nature Centerwhich exhibits over 60 species native to Southern Appalachia.
18. Go waterfall hunting. There are hundreds of beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the regionand many are easy to access within a short walk from the car. Dip your toes into the cool waters at the baseor on a hot daygo for a swim. Just mind the slippery rocksand never wade into the water from the top.
19. Stand atop the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Mt. Mitchell is king of the Blue Ridgestanding 6,684 feet in elevation.
20. Discover the roots of the Southern Appalachian craft movement through exhibits and regular live craft demos at the Folk Art Center. You can also shop the crème de la crème of regional crafts handmade by artists of the venerable Southern Highland Craft Guild.
21. Visit a state park. Go deep into the heart of Western North Carolinawhere you’ll find numerous state parks to exploresuch DuPont and Gorges.
22. Catch native mountain trout or smallmouth bass by taking embarking on a guided fly-fishing expedition. Already a pro? Local outfitters are a great resource to find the secret spots teeming with fish.
23. Practice your best Tarzan yell as you zipline hundreds of feet above the forest canopy.
24. Make a splash! Get ready for an exhilarating rafting adventure down the area’s best whitewater rapidsor slide down an all-natural 60-foot waterslide to experience a pure and simple kind of refreshment.
25. If you want to keep your outdoor adventures closer to Ashevilletry your hand at stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), tubingor boating down the French Broad River.
26. Explore the nature trails at the North Carolina Arboretum and the Asheville Botanical Gardenboth home to numerous indigenous species of mountain flora.
27. Go golfing at some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the country.
Taste Foodtopia
28. Asheville’s buzz-worthy food scene has cooked up a bountiful spread of amazing places to eatand the momentum is only building. Our food culture serves as a magnet for innovative chefs and artisansmost of whom source their ingredients from the hundreds of farms surrounding the city. With so many optionsone of the hardest decisions you’ll make here is where to dine.
29. Get a little taste of everything by signing up for a food tour. You’ll be able to sample cuisine from numerous restaurants in an afternoon.
30. Go foraging in a place that has elevated the lost art of gathering food from wild places. Asheville is home to the first planned forest garden in the country (George Washing Carver Edible Park founded in 1997) and one of the largest foraging tour companies in the nation. Learn how to forage by taking a guided foraging expedition in the mountains.
31. Visit local farms to buy the freshest meatsveggiesand cheeses available in the mountains. This is a perfect way to take a little bit of Foodtopia back home with you.
32. Nosh on award-winning cheeses by visiting the multiple creameries along the WNC Cheese Trail.
33. Stock up on fresh local ingredients by shopping at one of the many farmers markets around townor simply stop in for a bite to eat from one of the many vendors.
34. Sip the mountain’s finest nectar while visiting urban and rural wineries, or go for a free tasting at Biltmore Winerythe most visited winery in America.
Experience Mountain Culture
35. Asheville’s mountain culture has influenced some of the world’s greatest artistswritersmusicians and architects. They left an enduring mark on this region and many of their legacies are still present as you walk through town. Get a closer look into Asheville's rich heritageand tap into the bohemian spirit that still influences Asheville today.
36. Catch a top-notch show at one of Asheville's theater companiesincluding Wortham Center for the Performing Artswhich hosts some of the best in local and national productionsNC Stageand Asheville Community Theatre. In the warmer monthstake in a free outdoor Shakespeare performance by the Montford Park Players.
37. Take a guided history tour with Asheville by Foot to learn more about Asheville’s incredible array of Art Deco buildings, including the Basilica of St. Lawrencewhich boasts the largest free-standing dome in North America.
38. Visit the childhood home of literary legend Thomas Wolfewhich he immortalized in his autobiographical novelLook Homeward Angel.
Visit the River Arts District
39. Immerse yourself in the colorfulcreative River Arts District (aka the RAD). Along the riverbank of the French Broadspend an afternoon strolling through former industrial warehouses filled with hundreds of working artist studios. Watch a live demoperuse numerous galleries to find that perfectly handcrafted piece of art for your collectionor get hands-on with one of the many interactive programs available. You'll also find this neighborhood is home to some of Asheville's most popular restaurants and breweriesperfect for a pit stop in between galleries.
40. Asheville is home to some classicand in some cases, quirky museums. Check out the fine art exhibits at the Asheville Art Museum, find vintage games at the Pinball Museum (yesyou can play!)or for a real throwbackvisit the Antique Car Museum.
Listen to Live Music
41. Hailed as one of America’s “Greatest Music Cities,” Asheville’s live music scene acts as the heartbeat of the city. Intimate music hallsunassuming neighborhood barsand even the streets of downtown play host to some of the best in local and national touring musicians. You’ll find the sound is steeped in old-time mountain musicbut it’s the full spectrum of innovative musicians who truly define Asheville’s sound.
42. Immerse yourself in one of Asheville's many music festivals taking place throughout the year. Downtown After 5AVLFest, and LEAF Festival are among the most popular. You can also tap your toes for free Shindig on the Greenor make plans to attend the Mountain Dance and Folk Festivalthe nation’s longest-running festival of its kindusually held around the first of August.
43. Get up close and personal with your favorite artist at one of Asheville's many iconic music venues. The Orange Peela venue hailed as one of the best in the nation by Rolling Stone Magazineand The Grey Eagle are among the many great places to see live music.
44. Check out the Moogseum. Bob Moog was a pioneer of electronic music and a resident of Asheville. Learn about his legacy and try your hand at some of his synthesizers at the Moogseum in downtown.
45. Catch the classics as performed by the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. Each seasonthey perform a blend of timeless compositions and more contemporary arrangements.
Visit the Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa
46. Built for the agesthe iconic Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa has adorned Sunset Mountain for over a centuryand offers an amazing view of the western mountains. Built with giant boulders collected from the surrounding mountainsidethis glorious lodge has welcomed 10 U.S. Presidentsis home to the nation's largest collection of arts and crafts furnitureand is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Watch the sunset while dining al frescotake in a round of golf on the Donald Ross-designed courseor unwind in the 18,000-square-foot subterranean spa.
47. Let the stress of the day-to-day melt away in the hot tubs of Shoji spaexperience hot/cold therapy at Sauna Housefeel the healing properties of a salt caveor get pampered at one of the many day spas located throughout town.
Experience the Asheville Beer Scene
48. Asheville’s beer scene is celebrated by craft brew enthusiasts around the world. The secret ingredient is the mountain-filtered watermaking for some of the most sought-after alesstoutsand sour beers in the southeast. With some 50 area breweries pouring over 100 local craft beers on any given dayyou’ll have plenty of options to try.
49. Explore the beer scene by foot or on wheels. Many breweries are within walking distance from each other around downtownbut multiple brewery tour operators offer a safe way to explore further afield. Plus they can get you a behind-the-scenes peek at the operations. You can also pedal for beer on a people-fueled pubcycle. Before you head home stock up on local flavors at our specialty beers shops.
50. Want more ideas? Stop by the Asheville Visitor Center when you get to townand the knowledgeable staff can provide further recommendations. The Visitor Center Shop is also a place to stock up on locally made goods and gifts.
