Welcome to the fourth and final installment of our overview of Asheville, North Carolina. In previous installments we discussed area accommodations, restaurants, breweries, wineries and hiking. In this post, we will be providing information about Asheville area attractions, art, crafts, music, outdoor pursuits, special events and more. There seems to be an endless range of things to do in Asheville. So, our list of things to do is by no means exhaustive, but it will give you a great idea of the breadth of activities available. So, sit back and relax and join us as we share with you some our favorite things to do in our home town.
Attractions
• Biltmore Estate – Inarguably, the number one attraction in the Asheville area is the Biltmore Estate. There is so much to do there that we could easily write multiple posts just about the Biltmore. But, since we have already talked a little bit about the history of the estate, the hotels, and winery in our previous Asheville posts, we will just give an overview of some of the other activities that await you at the Biltmore.
o The Biltmore House – Opened in 1895, the 250-room Biltmore house is the largest privately owned home in the United States, and it is still owned by the direct descendants of the original owner, George Vanderbilt. Along with it’s amazing Chateauesque architecture and what was considered to be state-of-the-art technology, the house is part art museum and part history museum. Inside, you will find an amazing array of items from Vanderbilt’s original collection, including works by Renoir, Zuloaga, Menuier and other artists. In addition, the Vanderbilts also garnered priceless book collections, furniture, textiles and exotic décor from all around the world.
Even if you are not into art, the house itself and the technology that was present in the house in 1895 will astound you. We have toured the house literally dozens of times and we never fail to discover something new each time.
TIP: The tour of the house is self-guided. If you are visiting for the first time or during the holidays, be sure to rent the audio guide. You will learn so much more and really gain a much better appreciation of everything you see. If you buy your tickets online in advance of your visit, you can save 20% on the audio tour.
o Biltmore Gardens and Grounds – Part of the beauty of the Biltmore Estate is the extensive gardens and grounds of the 8,000-acre estate. The gardens start to really come alive in April and vibrant displays are visible through October. Even during the winter, the green houses and hot houses have a spectacular collection of tropical plants on display. You can feel free to stroll the grounds at your leisure, enjoying the tremendous variety of trees, flowers and other ornamentals. It’s the perfect place to practice your photography skills!
o Antler Village and Farmyard – Antler Village is located within the estate, just a short drive from the Biltmore House. It is home to the Biltmore Winery, where you can participate in a free wine tasting. In addition, you will find several full-service restaurants and an ice cream shop. On certain summer evenings, free concerts are offered in the village center.
The Antler Hill Farm is located a short walk from the Village. There you will find various displays including historic farming implements, a working blacksmith shop, craft demonstrations and familiar farmyard animals that you can feed and pet. There is also a nice playground for kids, along with picnic tables, if you want to bring along your own lunch.
o Other Activities – You might be surprised at the number of special activities offered at Biltmore. Carriage tours, bike rentals, horseback riding, kayaking, fly fishing and even falconry are some of the activities offered. Of course, there is an extra charge for these activities, but it may give you a chance to try something that you have never done before like fly fishing or handling a trained bird of prey!
TIP: The entry fee to the Biltmore Estate varies depending on the season and the day of the week. They often have some sort of special offer, including free admission for children up to age 16. Be sure to check their website for specifics, but in general, a Tuesday through Thursday visit will be the least expensive option.
• Sierra Nevada – We already talked a bit about Sierra Nevada in our previous post about local breweries, but there are a lot of reasons to visit Sierra Nevada besides beer! In addition to brewery tours, the Taproom restaurant provides some excellent food options along with an amazing selection of beers, many of which are only available at the brewery. The Taproom has both indoor and outdoor seating. You can sit fire side on the covered porch, or if the weather is nice, we recommend sitting on the outdoor patio and possibly listen to live music that is presented on their outdoor amphitheater.
In addition to a relaxing setting for lunch or dinner, the wooded outdoor area is filled with games for both the kids and adults, a butterfly garden and a huge vegetable and herb garden. There are even hiking trails that will take you to the French Broad River.
There is no fee for entry into the grounds or restaurant. Specialized tours of the brewery and grounds are available for a fee. If you are planning a visit and would like to take a tour, be sure to make your reservations online before you arrive. The tours fill up quickly and the venue is very popular, especially during the summer and on holiday weekends. Consider arriving early in the day if you are planning a visit during any of these peak times.
• North Carolina Arboretum – Are you interested in learning about the native western North Carolina flora? If so, then you will really enjoy the Arboretum. The Arboretum contains 65 acres of cultivated gardens, along with another nearly 400 acres of forested areas. You will find some great hiking and biking paths, special exhibits and an onsite bistro. It’s a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours leisurely exploring the grounds and exhibits. Children are welcome, as are leashed pups!
There is a fee to park at the Arboretum ($16), but no other entry fees. Check their website to take advantage of some special discounts.
• Western North Carolina Nature Center – The Western North Carolina Nature Center offers a look at the animals, both past and present, that are native to the region. You will have a chance to see some 60 species, including cougars, wolves, coyotes, black bears, bison, bald eagles and more. The nature center is a nice place to spend 2 or 3 hours with your children, although adults definitely enjoy the animals too! There is an admission fee, but check their website for potential discounts.
• Grove Park Inn – The Grove Park Inn is one of the accommodations we discussed in our first Asheville post. However, even if you do not stay at this grand hotel, be sure to stop by for a meal or even just to visit the amazing lobby or historic halls. The view of Asheville off the back of the Grove Park is one of the best around. It’s a great place for photos and you will not be disappointed in this gorgeous spot!
• Local Farms – If you are interested in learning anything about farming, tours of some of Asheville’s local farms are a popular activity. Here is a link to a list of the farms that you can visit. A few of our favorites are the Hickory Nut Gap Farm, The Dr. King Bison Farm and the Alta Pass Orchard. Check the specific website of the farms that you are interested in visiting in order to get their location, hours, etc.
Museums – There are quite a few museums in the Asheville area, but we wanted to provide you with a list of some of the most popular ones.
• Asheville Museum of Science – The Museum of Science is a wonderful spot to take your children for a couple of hours to learn about dinosaurs, minerals, space, and more! There are tons of hands-on exhibits to the keep the interest of kids and adults alike. The museum is located in downtown Asheville. Check their website for hours and admission fees.
• Smith-McDowell House – The 3-story, Smith-McDowell house was constructed in 1840 and is the oldest brick structure in Buncombe County. The house is located on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, just south of the downtown area. The museum has both permanent and rotating exhibits regarding the history of the property and the surrounding area. The entry fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children over 7. Check the website for hours.
• Thomas Wolfe House Memorial – The Thomas Wolfe House was not the birthplace of the famous author, but it was his primary residence from about age 6 to age 15, when he left home to attend the University of North Carolina in 1916. Wolfe wrote a number of plays, novels and short stories. Although in Asheville, he is probably best known for his novel “Look Homeward, Angel”. The characters in the novel were said to be based on 200 real acquaintances in the Asheville area and his characterizations of some of those folks was not always positive. Wolfe became a bit of a pariah and spent the next 11 years in Europe, returning to Asheville only a year before his death. At the museum you will learn about Wolfe’s life, literary accomplishments and even some history of Asheville itself. Adult admission is $5 and $2 for children up to age 17. It is an interesting place to spend an hour or 2.
• Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site – The Carl Sandburg Home is located in Flat Rock, NC, about 45 minutes from Asheville. Although Sandburg lived most of his life in the Midwest, he did spend 22 years living at his home in Flat Rock and produced about one-third of his literary works there. There is an $8 fee to tour the house, but you can visit and hike the grounds for free. Check the website for special events and be aware that it can be crowded on holiday weekends.
• Grovewood Village – Grovewood Village is located adjacent to the Omni Grove Park Hotel. Located at the Village are a museum devoted to antique cars and another devoted to the arts and crafts history of the area. There are no admission fees and it is a nice place to spend a couple of hours.
Arts and Crafts – The Asheville area is renowned for its artist communities. There are many galleries in the area, so we have selected just a few to use as examples of what you can find. Most galleries welcome folks to stop in and wander through their displays, although there are a few that prefer appointments. If you are interested in visiting any gallery, always check their website to determine when they are open to the public.
• Art Galleries
o New Morning Gallery – The New Morning Gallery is located in Biltmore Village, just outside of the Biltmore Estate. They are a rather large gallery and feature hundreds of artists representing many different media. Plan on spending an hour or two perusing this gallery.
o Blue Spiral 1 – Another large gallery, the Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, is located in downtown Asheville. This gallery provides themed exhibitions that rotate frequently, as well as a wide array of artwork from more than 100 artists.
o Asheville Gallery of Art – The Asheville Gallery of Art is located in downtown Asheville and has been in business for more than 30 years. This gallery represents a co-op of artists and is focused primarily on 2-D art in all sorts of styles.
o American Folk Art and Framing – American Folk Art and Framing is also located downtown and is a smaller gallery, specializing in southern folk art. They feature work from some 40 nationally-recognized artists.
o Woolworth Walk – Located in the old Woolworth building in downtown Asheville, the Woolworth Walk’s collection of arts and crafts is a favorite of visitors. You will find a lot of affordable pieces in all sorts of media. It’s a great place to pick up a little gift for yourself or someone back home.
• River Arts District – Asheville’s River Arts District is by far the epicenter of the city’s art scene. This area is located just west of downtown and is home to literally hundreds of artists. If you have any interest in any kind of art, including photography, jewelry, pottery, painting, etc. you should not pass up a trip to the River Arts District. We recommend this excellent website that will help you focus on your particular interests, in order to make the most of your visit.
TIP: There are lots of great restaurants, breweries and wine bars in the River Arts District. Stop in one of these for lunch or dinner and you can make a whole day (or more) of your visit to this special part of town.
• Folk Art Center – The Folk Art Center is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of Asheville. The center is the showcase for The Southern Highland Craft Guild, which represents more than 800 artists across 9 states. It is the best place to learn more about traditional arts and crafts through their various craft demonstrations and rotating exhibits. They also have a wonderful store, offering arts and crafts in all price ranges.
Music – Asheville is home to an amazing music community. There are dozens of venues in the area, offering music of every genre. In addition to these established venues, live music is often featured in private restaurants, breweries, and even public parks. Some of our favorite spots include the Asheville Music Hall, The Orange Peel, Isis Music Hall and the Biltmore Estate. However, we recommend this website to give you an overview of the bands that are playing and where and when they are scheduled.
Outdoor Fun – There are lots of opportunities for getting outside and enjoying the mountain air in the Asheville area. Here are a few of our favorites.
• Golf – Our favorite public golf courses are located within 30 minutes of Asheville. We would recommend any of these, but do try to make your tee times well in advance, especially during the busy summer months.
o Asheville Golf Course – The Asheville Golf Course one of the oldest in Western North Carolina and is even on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Donald Ross in 1927, the course is located just east of the Asheville Mall area. The front nine is pretty flat, but the back nine is a bit hilly and a lot of fun!
o Broadmore Golf Links – The Broadmore course is located just south of the Asheville airport. Unlike most of the mountain golf courses, Broadmore is a flat course. However, during your round of play, you will be able to take in some beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
o Reems Creek Golf Club – The Reems Creek course is located east of Weaverville and is about 20-minutes from Asheville. In April 2020, the course wrapped up some major renovations to the course. If you have never golfed on a mountain course, you really need to give Reems Creek a try. It is a beautiful course with some unique holes that make the experience both challenging and enjoyable.
• Fishing – Both fly fishing and reel fishing are popular pursuits in Western North Carolina. There are many creeks, rivers and lakes that are easily accessible within a short drive of Asheville. If you would like to give either a try, be aware that you will need a state license. In addition, the rules for when and where you can fish can be a little complicated. However, here is a website that will help you with obtaining a license and understanding the fishing laws.
If you would prefer to use an outfitter to take you on a private fishing expedition, there are several great ones in the area. However, we heartily recommend Curtis Wright Outfitters in Weaverville. You will still need to obtain a fishing license, but they will provide all the equipment, ensure you are fishing in the right spots and will even provide lunch!
TIP: To learn more about trying fly fishing while on vacation, read are article called On Vacation? – Give Fly Fishing a Try!
• Rafting – If you want to get out on the water in the Asheville area, you can choose from tubing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, or canoeing. Here are just a few of the companies that offer various types of water-based experiences.
• Zip Lining – Zip lining has become quite a popular activity and there are a couple of companies in the area that offer some exciting experiences.
o Navitat Canopy Adventures (Our favorite!)
• Baseball – If you would like to take in a game while you are in town, you are in luck! Asheville is home to the Asheville Tourists, a Class A South Atlantic League team and a farm team for the Colorado Rockies. Games are played in McCormick Field just east of the main downtown area in Asheville. Here is a link to their website.
Tours – Perhaps you would like someone else to do all the driving and shepherd you around town. If so, here are some great options.
• Hop-On-Hop-Off Trolley Tours – If you have never visited the Asheville area, we highly recommend taking this tour to learn a bit about Asheville’s history and to get the ‘lay of the land’. This hop-on-hop-off tour will take you to all the top spots in town and you can spend as little or as much time in each spot as you would like.
• LaZoom Tours – LaZoom Tours offers some fantastic, very unique bus tours. Opt for a 90-minute comedy tour covering Asheville’s landmarks or history. Or, try a beer tour complete with onboard live music. If you are into spookiness, they even have a comedy ghost tour.
• Walking Food Tours – If you are a foodie, you may really appreciate one of the food tours offered by Asheville Food Tours. You will have a chance to sample offerings from many of Asheville’s top restaurants. But don’t worry, these tours are walking tours and last about 3 hours. So, you’ll get a chance to work off all those calories!
• Beer Tours – There are no shortages of beer tours in “Beer City USA”. You may want to try the Amazing Pubcycle tour, Asheville Brews Cruise or BREW-ed of Asheville. All are great choices.
Festivals – Asheville loves its festivals and parades! It seems during warm-weather months that there are festivals and events just about every weekend. Some of these events are once per year, others happen every weekend. However, all of these events center around the things we love about Asheville i.e. food, beer, music, arts and crafts, culture, farming – you name it.
There really is something for everyone! Here are a couple of websites that describe some of the more popular events. Take a look at this list and this list of some of the more popular events in the area.
Thank you so much for joining us on our 4-part series about Asheville. If you missed any of the other 3 posts, you can find them here. Asheville – “Land of the Sky”, Asheville Part II – Hiking, Asheville Part III – Restaurants, Breweries and Wineries.
We hope you have enjoyed this series and that you will think about the Asheville area for your next getaway. If you have questions, please feel free to ask us. Remember, we live in the Asheville area, and we would be more than happy to share our knowledge so that you can plan a visit that you will truly enjoy.
Safe travels!
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