Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Asheville, North Carolina

The largest city in North Carolina isn’t Raleigh, it’s Asheville, sandwiched in between two great natural wonders: the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Swannanoa River, and the French Broad River. Asheville, North Carolina is know just as much for its man-made as its natural wonders. You’ll fall in love with the many parks, the strong art community, and exhilarating adventures. So, grab a pen and a pencil, we’re going to give you ten of the most exciting tourist attractions that you must visit in Asheville.

Best Things To Do in Asheville

Table of Contents [Show]

1: Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail
Flickr/daveynin
The Great Smoky Mountains are a spectacular view that cannot be missed. Over 320 miles of the Appalachian Trail reside inside North Carolina, and you can experience the best of it while in Asheville. If you’re a hiker and/or climber, you can reach heights of over 6,000 feet high. You can likewise make your excursion a week-long experience by setting up camp along the trail.

Address: Appalachian Trail, North Carolina

Website: www.appalachiantrail.org

2: Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate
Flickr/Jennifer Boyer
This expansive property is a criminally-overlooked attraction in Asheville. Spanning a massive 8,000 acres, the Biltmore Estate is home to the biggest privately-owned mansion in the entire country. The Vanderbilt Mansion looks like something you’d find in England, with 250 rooms and 43 bathrooms. The interior is filled with a litany of antiques, vintage furniture, and paintings. The entire estate will probably take the average guest an entire afternoon to get a good look at all there is to offer.

Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803

Website: www.biltmore.com

Also Read: Top 10 Most Famous Historic Homes in America

3: North Carolina Arboretum

North Carolina Arboretum
Nature lovers can enjoy the most gorgeous species of plants that North Carolina has to offer, whether they are active outdoors or not. This Arboretum has more 65 acres of gardens, plus an additional 10 miles of trails outside, leading to more great views. The arboretum is famous for its great bonsai trees and exotic flowers. Take your time going through these gardens and join one of the many tour guides.

Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806

Website: www.ncarboretum.org

4: Asheville Urban Trail

Asheville Urban Trail
Flickr/Bradley Griffin
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, the city’s best kept secret is literally hidden right in front of you. While downtown Asheville may seem like a typical urban landscape at first glance, it’s actually a carefully-crafted urban trail, filled with interesting attractions that tell the history of the city. There are thirty stops in total on a 1.7 mile path, winding throughout the streets. It’s further divided into five sections, each representing a specific time period. You can start anywhere you’d like along the urban trail, or just visit each part as you travel the city.

Address: Pack Place, Asheville, NC 28801

Website: www.ashevillenc.gov

5: Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock State Park
Flickr/dconvertini
This unique granite formation shoots up over two thousand feet high. Chimney Rock really lives up to its name. You can experience all of its glory from atop the mountain via an elevator. Don’t worry, there’s more amazing sights to see at this gorgeous park. Visit Hickory Nut Falls Trail if you want to check out the magnificent 404 foot waterfall. If you want to check out a different perspective, take a boat out to Lake Lure for a serene destination.

Address: 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720

Website: www.chimneyrockpark.com

Also Read: 10 Best State Parks in the United States

6: Downtown Asheville

Downtown Asheville
Flickr/Selena N. B. H.
Head back downtown if you want some more exciting sights and sounds to fill the senses. Take your time meandering the streets, there’s plenty of artsy fun to take in. Contribute to the local economy while you’re in town by visiting some of the local shops, restaurants, and cafes. There’s also some amazing local talent performing on the sidewalks, as well. If you’re trying to figure out what to do for a night out on the town or a place to go on a date, stop by Asheville Community Theatre, there’s always some type of talented entertainment performing at affordable admission prices.

Address: Downtown, Asheville, NC 28801

Website: www.exploreasheville.com

7: Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center

Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center

Asheville is home to various social foundations, to be specific the Asheville Museum of Art, the Colburn Earth Science Museum, Diana Wortham Theater, and YMI Cultural Center. It is a middle for Asheville's prospering aesthetic and melodic interests.

Among these attractions, guests have their pick of workmanship, science, and the arts. The Asheville Museum of Art concentrates on American pieces from the twentieth century and on. At the Colburn Earth Science Museum, topical and science-concentrated displays are regularly on display (making them perfect and drawing in for kids). Also, the Diana Wortham Theater holds many general exhibitions, spreading over art, theater, and music.

Address: 2 S. Pack Sq., Asheville, North Carolina, 28801

8: Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah National Forest
Flickr/Jeff Gunn

This stop is loaded with exercises and stunning vistas. With several miles of trails and various waterfalls and ponds, the backwoods gives abundant chances to value nature.

One of the principal national parks in the nation, made famous when it once had a place with the Biltmore Estate, the recreation center is home to the main ranger service school in the United States and also the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute and Mount Mitchell, the most noteworthy mountain east of the Mississippi River.

Address: 1600 Pisgah Highway, Nebo, NC 28761

Website: www.fs.usda.gov

9: Folk Art Center

Folk Art Center
Wikimedia/Doug Coldwell
A standout amongst the most prevalent spots off the Blue Ridge Parkway, inviting a quarter million guests yearly, here you’ll find presentations customary and contemporary artworks in three exhibitions, and is home to a book shop, an expressway data work area, a library, and the Allanstand Craft Shop – the most established of its kind in the country. From March to December, the Folk Arts includes regular workshops and shows, and has unique occasions that highlight common crafting materials, (for example, glass, fiber, and mud) utilized as a part of Southern Appalachia culture.

Address: Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC 28805

Website: www.southernhighlandguild.org

10: River Arts District

River Arts District
Flickr/Ken Lane
Involving 22 old commercial and vintage structures – including a previous major tannery and a cotton processing plant – close to the French Broad River, the district keeps the craftsmanship scene alive in Asheville. Visitors can walk around the area to meet specialists and appreciate works from more than 200 craftsmen in different mediums like weaving, pottery, painting goldsmithing, and more advanced crafting. It's additionally an incredible place to get a one of a kind keepsake from your time in the city.

Address: River Arts District, Asheville, North Carolina, NC 28801

Website: www.riverartsdistrict.com

North Carolina Travel Guide

Explore Guide