Discover the best things to do in Asheville, NC from locals who know the ins and outs of the city. From waterfall hiking trails and wineries to hidden gems, this guide has it all!
This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. If you love these free guides, support Uncorked Asheville with a small tip.
It’s hard to get restless in the mountains. Cheer for the Asheville Tourists, and gawk at George Vanderbilt’s library. See where Katniss found Peeta hiding in The Hunger Games or head to District 12. Hunt ghosts from the town’s purple drunk bus. Play vintage pinball and Sunday brunch on a rooftop bar. Watch a comedic version of Shakespeare in the Park surrounded by fireflies.
As Asheville residents, these are the things we love to do. For a quick trip, our 36-hour itinerary is for you. Be sure to plan your full Asheville adventure here. Visit our Events Calendar with festivals too.
Contents
- 1 Hit the hiking trails
- 2 Relax with 30 tons of pink salt
- 3 Watch a Grove Park Inn sunset
- 4 Chase breathtaking waterfalls
- 5 Wine taste at the beautiful vineyards
- 6 Gossip at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial
- 7 Soak your feet with a massage
- 8 Cruise the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
- 9 Watch Shakespeare in the Park
- 10 Sip craft cocktails or brunch on a rooftop bar
- 11 Tour Biltmore Estate like a passholder
- 12 See Winter Lights and flowers at The NC Arboretum
- 13 Devour an unforgettable, award-winning dinner
- 14 Play vintage arcade games
- 15 Learn about critters at the WNC Nature Center
- 16 Spend a day at the lake
- 17 Try all of the craft beer
- 18 Meet (or run from) Asheville’s ghosts
- 19 Head to a roller skating rink
- 20 Laugh along with LaZoom
- 21 Cheer for the Asheville Tourists
- 22 Attend a hipster or mainstream concert
- 23 Bike down those gorgeous mountains
- 24 Go on a mural hunt
- 25 Grab our favorite things to do with our free series
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. We have quite a few favorite trails. For the best hikes with 360-degree views, head to Mount Pisgah, Fryingpan Mountain Tower, Craggy Pinnacle, and Max Patch. For short and easy kid-friendly hikes, trek Bearwallow Mountain, Moore Cove Falls, Hooker Falls, and Laurel River Trail.
Take this popular guided hiking tour with waterfalls and mountain views. Western NC also has great national and state parks like Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, Gorges State Park
Relax with 30 tons of pink salt
We love the therapeutic Asheville Salt Cave. Sit surrounded by 30 tons of pure pink salt and water features. They have a children’s quiet play session and offer other services like massages, Hammam, and sound healing concerts. Reservations are required.
Watch a Grove Park Inn sunset
Watching the sunset at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn is a must. You don’t have to stay on the property to access this gorgeous adult Disney World-like luxury resort. It’s Asheville lodging at its best. We suggest making reservations at their delicious on-site restaurant, Edison, during sunset hours. In November and December, don’t miss their Annual National Gingerbread House Competition while sipping on hot chocolate.
Chase breathtaking waterfalls
Chase those waterfalls. 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!)
Wine taste at the beautiful vineyards
As “Uncorked Asheville,” 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
- St. Paul Mountain Vineyards
- Stone Ashe Vineyards
- Mountain Brook Vineyards
Gossip at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Thomas Wolfe is a famous Asheville writer. He wrote Look Homeward, Angel, a loose retelling of his life growing up in Asheville (it’s a little dry). Tour 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-styled cemetery.
If you love 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 and unique things to do in Asheville. 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 and arm massage. Make advanced reservations.
Cruise the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
Cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) is another one of the best Asheville things to do; it’s WNC’s most popular attraction. Running from Virginias Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, hop on this 45 mph, two-lane road. Explore the gorgeous waterfalls, hikes, and scenic overlooks. Take a relaxed and small guided BRP waterfall tour. It’s the prettiest in October and may close for winter weather.
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. 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. While tickets are free, leave a donation. It’s a great date idea too.
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:
- Antidote
- The Montford Rooftop Bar
- Social Lounge
Tour Biltmore Estate like a passholder
Touring Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, is one of the top Asheville attractions for first-time visitors. We are annual passholders. Wine taste, walk the gardens, tour the house, hike, and eat at their delicious restaurants like Cedric’s Tavern. Candlelight Christmas Evenings are magical. And yes, Biltmore is for kids too!
See Winter Lights and flowers at The NC Arboretum
We are members of The North Carolina Arboretum and most love the gorgeous nature, hiking, and biking trails. See Bonsais and their famous Quilt Garden. In the winter, 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. See more Christmas lights across WNC.
Devour an unforgettable, 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 for foodies. We have an entire food and drink guide by mealtime, cuisine, and area.
A few of our top restaurants as locals include:
Play vintage arcade games
Playing vintage arcade games is by far one of the most fun Asheville things to do, especially on a rainy day. Located behind the Historic Grove Arcade, the Asheville Pinball Museum boasts older games like Donkey Kong and Frogger, video consoles for Nintendo and Super Nintendo, and pinball machines.
Learn about critters at the WNC Nature Center
Meet our furry locals at the WNC Nature Center for (younger) kid-friendly things to do in Asheville. 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 card holder, reserve a ZOOM Pass for free admission.
Spend a day at the lake
We love walking the 2-mile Perimeter Trail around Beaver Lake and dipping into the Bird Sanctuary (free!). Western North Carolina is known for its gorgeous lakes including:
Try all of the craft beer
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, our favorite Asheville craft breweries include:
- Zillicoah Beer (home to Master BBQ – a delicious Filipino food truck!)
- Wedge at Foundation (home to The Chop Shop’s stellar food truck)
- Hillman Beer
- Green Man
- Hi-Wire’s RAD Beer Garden
- Wicked Weed
Meet (or run from) Asheville’s ghosts
One of the best things to do in Asheville for dark tourists is to take a ghost tour, especially if you love paranormal stories and haunted houses. See why you should never turn off your car at Helens Bridge. Eat at a haunted restaurant. Learn about the Grove Park Inns Pink Lady. Popular Asheville ghost tours include:
Head to a roller skating rink
From late spring to mid-fall, roller skating and rollerblading at Carrier Park’s former NASCAR circuit turned velodrome/Mellowdrome” is one of our top Asheville things to do. Or, head to the RAD Riverwalk. We also love Waynesville’s Smoky Mountain Sk8way, which has mini-golf, inflatables, and comfort food. Discover even more public parks and gardens.
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. They offer different comedy tours per age/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.
Cheer for the Asheville Tourists
For sports lovers and families, watch the Asheville Tourists play at McCormick Field, our 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.
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:
Or, take a day trip or weekend getaway to Greenville for the Peace Center’s off-Broadway shows. We saw Disturbed at The Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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.
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, Betty White, 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 the River Arts District around Foundation Studios. Then, dip into West Asheville along Haywood Street. In Downtown Asheville, check out Triangle Park, paying homage to the citys most important people and moments in the Black community.
Grab our favorite things to do with our free series
With so much to do, it’s hard to choose. Let us know your favorites, and be sure to sign up for our special series. Receive our top guides to help you plan your Asheville adventure.
As I was updating this article, one of our long-time followers wrote, “I LOVE your blog. Absolutely no need to seek other info for visiting.” It made my day, but take their word for it; we work hard to bring you the best information as residents.
More Outdoor Adventures & Day Trips
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner and lead writer of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isnt stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar – Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.