Asheville Top 40 Indoor Things to Do, Attractions, Museums |
Also see: Outdoor Guides | Top 20 Romantic Outings | Top 10 Holiday Outings | Top 10 Girlfriend Getaways | Top 10 Mancations | Top 20 Green Guide | Top 10 Art Outings | Top 12 Winter Outings |
Top 10 Free Outings | Top 10 for Rainy Day | Top 10 Civil War Sites | ABC: Asheville Most Beautiful |
There are so many things to do and see in Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. There is something for everyone - including museums, shopping, performing arts, galleries, and tours in Asheville and many surrounding towns. Below are "indoor" things to do.
Also see our Top 100 Outdoor Things to Do | Blue Ridge Parkway Guide |
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Biltmore Estate
Touring the Biltmore House is easily the number one indoor attraction in Western North Carolina. Spend a day or two and find out why! In addition to touring the "castle", explore 8,000 acres with gardens, the winery, Antler Village, shopping, restaurants and more!
See our extensive Biltmore 15-page Guide. |
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Shop Our Downtowns
Discover a wonderful, eclectic collection of 200+ shops, 50+ restaurants, museums, and dozens of fabulous art galleries in downtown Asheville.
See our Downtown Asheville Guide
And don't forget other nearby mountain towns: Brevard | Hendersonville | Maggie Valley | Black Mountain | Waynesville |
Bryson City | West Asheville | Old Fort | Cashiers | Highlands | Franklin | Sylva | Cherokee | Spruce Pine | Little Switzerland | Saluda | Tryon | Weaverville | Marshall |
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LaZoom Tours
Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus! Through captivating stories, outlandish comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville's history, current culture and counterculture with their 90 minute interactive bus tours that depart from downtown. Haunted tours too!
Click here to visit their Web site. |
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Art Galleries & Studios
Did you know that Asheville is the one number small city for art in the country? In addition to dozens of galleries in downtown, Biltmore Village and River Arts District, visit artist studios and more galleries in the surrounding towns and mountain valleys. Browse and shop!
See our Art Gallery Guide & Art Events, Festivals & Tours |
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River Arts District
Some 185 working artists have set up shop in the River Arts District. Drive a little, walk a little to visit studios and galleries. Find an amazing variety of art and see how the artists create it. It's just a few miles from downtown Asheville and Biltmore Estate.
See our River Arts District Guide. |
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Biltmore Village
Meander tree-lined streets and explore 40 unique shops and relax at 10 cafes and restaurants. Most businesses are housed in historic cottages and buildings. Don't miss the fabulous New Morning Gallery.
See our Biltmore Village Guide. |
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Beer City USA
Taste your way on a tour of the many craft breweries and pubs in and near Asheville. Many are located downtown. Take a tour of Highlands Brewery or Oskar Blues Brewery.
See our Beer City USA Guide. |
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Antique Barn
If you love to plunder for antiques and deals on collectibles, this is the place! This antique mall features furniture, architectural salvage, collectibles, and accessories from 75 independent antique dealers. It's part of the Biltmore Antiques District that includes 13 antique stores within a mile and a half of the Biltmore Estate.
See our Antique Tobacco Barn Guide. | Also see Best Asheville Antiques |
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Thomas Wolfe Memorial
This is the novelist's boyhood home and setting for "Look Homeward, Angel." Tour the fascinating, rambling house located downtown Asheville at 52 North Market Street.
See our Thomas Wolfe Memorial Guide. |
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Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
Learn all about the Parkway with an I-Wall, a 22-foot interactive map of the entire Parkway which provides multi-media information on places to visit on and near the Parkway. The Center’s exhibits highlight the natural and cultural diversity, and a 70-seat theater shows a beautiful movie of the Parkway. Free.
Read more about the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. |
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Cherokee
Learn about the Cherokee Indian heritage at several museums, including Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Oconaluftee Indian Village.
See our Cherokee Guide for more. |
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Harrah's Cherokee Casino
North Carolina's only casino, newly expanded to 160,000 square feet in 2012! Play brand-new games and slots and dazzling favorites like Digital Blackjack and Baccarito. Paula Deen's restaurant and more!
See our Harrah's Cherokee Casino Guide |
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Asheville Art Museum
Explore world-class special exhibitions and the museum's outstanding collection, showcasing the very best of 20th-century American art.
See our Asheville Art Museum Guide. |
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Estes-Winn Antique Automobile Museum
If you are a car buff, this collection of 20 classics will delight. Located near downtown Asheville. Free.
See our Asheville Antique Car Museum Guide for more.
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Wheels Through Time Museum
See hundreds of classic motorcycles and automobiles in Maggie Valley in one of best transportation museums in the country. This massive collection includes more than 300 of America's rarest and most historic classic motorcycles.
See our Wheels Through Time Museum Guide. |
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Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
This National Park Service site honors the accomplishments of Carl Sandburg. Explore the historic home, and visit the farm and trails at Connemara. Located in Flat Rock, just south of Hendersonville.
Read more about the Carl Sandburg Home. |
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Folk Art Center
See crafts from artists from Southern Appalachia with three fine art galleries and daily craft demonstrators. Shop in their store. No admission fee. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near U.S. 70 intersection.
See our Folk Art Center Guide. See the latest Folk Art Center Art Show. |
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Linville Caverns
North Carolina's only caverns with natural limestone caverns feature stalactite and stalagmite formations and an underground stream. Guided tours.
See our Linville Caverns Guide. |
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Western North Carolina Farmer's Market
Come and enjoy the atmosphere and bounty of the mountains. The retail area features displays of high quality fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sourwood honey, and dozens of other farm fresh items. The market is open all year round, and seven days a week.
See our WNC Farmer's Market Guide. |
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Emerald Village
A fascinating group of gem, mining, and historical attractions nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and within an hour's drive of Asheville. Located in a spectacular mountain setting, Emerald Village is home to seven real mines and has many exhibits that are free to enjoy. Mine for gems!
See our Emerald Village Guide. |
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Western North Carolina Air Museum
See award winning restored and replica antique and vintage airplanes at the Hendersonville Airport. Take a close-up look to airplanes and talk to people who love them.
Read more about the WNC Air Museum. |
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Vance Birthplace State Historic Site
This pioneer farmstead about 12 miles north of downtown Asheville features the birthplace of Zebulon Baird Vance. Tour the five-room log house and its outbuildings are furnished to evoke the period from 1795-1840.
See our Vance Birthplace Guide
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Basilica of St. Lawrence
See
one of Asheville's architectural treasures and spiritual anchors with the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the country.
See our Basilica of St. Lawrence Guide.
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Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)
Initially developed by NASA in 1962 as the east coast facility to track satellites and monitor manned space flights, it's now a world-class research center. Tour this remote campus in the Pisgah National Forest and see their Galaxy Walk, the extensive astronomical poster, print and space memorabilia displays and the historical site of the first 26 Meter Antenna used to communicate with astronauts.
Read more about Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute |
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Smith-McDowell House Museum
Relive the romantic Victorian era in Asheville's oldest house (circa 1840). Explore opulent period rooms, history exhibits and grounds designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers. 1.5 miles from downtown Asheville.
See our Smith-McDowell House Museum Guide. |
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Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum
Explore the rich treasures of the earth at this museum called "a mini-Smithsonian of gems." Pack Square in downtown Asheville.
See our Colburn Earth Science Museum Guide.
Also see the Museum of NC Minerals on the Blue Ridge Parkway. |
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Wine & Cocktail Bars
Unwind at one of our favorite wine bars and great places for cocktails.
See our favorite Downtown Asheville Wine & Cocktail Bars.
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Grove Arcade
Stroll through shops in the historic "mall" in downtown Asheville. See local art and craft at the outdoor market.
See our Grove Arcade Guide.
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Orchard at Altapass
This 101-year-old apple orchard turned Appalachian Cultural Center celebrates the people, music, art, and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. Shop for local mountain art, jams, jellies, sauces, sweets, gifts, and more. Listen to music and pick up your apples!
See our Orchard at Altapass Guide. |
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Winery Tours
Sip wine with mountain and vineyard vistas at wineries near Asheville.
See our Winery Tours & Wine Tasting Guide. |
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Performing Arts
Enjoy many choices for great theatre, music, dance and more. Our favorites include the Brevard Music Summer Festival, Asheville Symphony and the Community Theatre of Asheville.
See our Asheville Performing Arts Guide.
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Flat Rock Playhouse
See a fabulous professional show at the State Theatre of North Carolina, about 30 miles south of Asheville, with an eight month season of plays including Broadway musicals, comedy, and drama.
See our Flat Rock Playhouse Guide & Schedule
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The Orange Peel
Go to a concert at one of the best music arenas in the South! Many national touring bands perform here, and it's located in downtown Asheville.
See The Orange Peel Guide. |
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Moog Music
The company founded by synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog, hand builds electronic musical instruments in their downtown Asheville factory. Visit The Moog Store to get hands on with the instruments or set up a factory tour for the full Moog Experience.
Click here to view their Web site.
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More Mountain Attractions & Things To Do |
Western North Carolina Agriculture Center: See a big variety of shows, festivals and even the Mountain State Fair.
Cradle of Forestry: Learn about forestry and get a glimpse into life at this forestry school from the early 1900s.
Live Music & Nightlife: End the day with live music and dancing.
Attractions for Children: Bring the kids and have some fun!
Asheville Visitor Center: Your first stop in town should be the Visitor Center, with lots of information about things to do and knowledgable staff people to answer questions.
Billy Graham Cove Training Center: Take a free tour of the Chapel at The Cove, a 1,200 acre retreat.
Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center: Home of thousands of enriching events and worship services each year, operated by the United Methodist Church.
Asheville Historic Trolley Tours: A great way to begin your visit. See the best of Asheville on board a vintage trolley and enjoy the fully narrated 75-minute tour, which includes humorous stories and historical information. Tickets at Asheville Visitor's Center.
Gray Line Trolley Tour: Learn about Asheville’s early settlers, famous citizens and illustrious authors through interesting stories and colorful anecdotes. Remain onboard the trolley for a comprehensive 1.5 to 1.75 hour tour, or hop-off at any of Gray Line’s 8 trolley stops to shop, dine and explore, then re-board the next trolley to continue your tour. Tickets at Asheville Visitor's Center.
Swannanoa Valley Museum: Buncombe County’s primary museum of general local history. The history of the region is interpreted in a unique collection of photos and artifacts from the Swannanoa Valley and Western North Carolina. 223 W. State Street in Black Mountain, in the former Black Mountain Fire House. Click here to visit their Web site.
Museum Guide: There are over 100 museums in the 25 counties within the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Click here to visit their Web site.
See more: Shopping | Contra Dancing | Asheville Regional Airport | Destination Spas | Day Trips | Top 10 Art Outings | Pet-Friendly Asheville | Montford Historic District | Colleges & Universities | Asheville News and History
Fodor's travel guide named Asheville as one of their “21 Places We’re Going in 2011” |
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