Asheville Travel Guide

 

   

Asheville & Blue Ridge Mountains Outdoors

Also see: Top 20 Romantic Outings | Indoor Attractions
The breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounds Asheville. Come enjoy the great outdoors!
See our Asheville Outdoor Guides:
Hikes & Walks
Great Smoky Mountains
Blue Ridge Parkway
Whitewater Rafting
Chimney Rock & Lake Lure
North Carolina Waterfalls
Sliding Rock & Swimming Holes
Downtown Urban Trail
Asheville Tourists Baseball
Ghost Town in Maggie Valley
Biking the Blue Ridge Parkway
Devil's Courthouse
Grandfather Mountain
Top 20 Green & Environmental Guide
Gem Mining

Great Scenic Drives
Looking Glass Rock
Asheville Fall Foliage
Mount Mitchell
Hot Springs
Buy Outdoor Guidebooks
What is Rime Ice?
Pisgah National Forest
Riverside Cemetery
Mountain Biking
Fishing
Black Balsam Knob
Western NC Nature Center
Bird Watching
Lake Lure

Mt. Cammerer
Cold Mountain
Roan Mountain
Camping
NC Arboretum
Pet Friendly Asheville
Farmers Markets
Looking Glass Falls
Golf Courses
Ski Resorts
Botanical Gardens
Fall Color Guide
Attractions for Children
Wildflowers

Chimney Rock Park Chimney Rock Park
A 26-story elevator or a network of trails takes you to breathtaking 75-mile views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park also features a magnificent 404-foot waterfall. Shopping and dining located at the park entrance.
Open all year-weather permitting, 25 miles SE of downtown Asheville.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Explore Biltmore Estate
Play outdoors at the estate with flat water river rafting, trail rides on horseback, woodland and river path biking, and carriage rides.
Open all year, 7 days a week, located 2 miles south of downtown Asheville.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Go Blue Ridge Card
Get the Parkway’s ultimate attraction pass, featuring pre-paid admission to over 25 of the best attractions and activities in Western North Carolina! Visit as many of the included attractions as you like for one low price and save money over buying tickets directly at the ticket gate. Plus, receive a full-color guidebook to the area. Attractions include Biltmore, ChimneyRock Park, Grandfather Mountain, Whitewater Rafting, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Caverns, and MORE!
Click here to visit their Web site.

Asheville Hot Tub Retreat
Shoji Hot Tub Retreat, Asheville
Soak away your stress in a private hot tub, invigorating cold plunge and dry cedar sauna. Enjoy slate showers, exotic herbal body products, a Japanese yukata, sandals, towels and complimentary Shoji tea. After your soak, totally relax with a customized massage with one of Shoji's twenty-five licensed massage therapists.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Asheville whitewater rafting Wildwater Ltd. Whitewater Rafting
Exceptional quality, safety, and personal service since 1971. Their Raft and Rail Excursion on the Nantahala combines a morning scenic train ride with an afternoon introduction to rafting.
Outpost on the Nantahala, Pigeon, Chattooga, and Cheoah Rivers
Go to their Web site.

Read more about Whitewater Rafting.

Wolf Laurel Stables, Mars Hill
Enjoy the most scenic horseback trail rides in the Asheville area with more than 20 miles of trails, experienced guides, and gentle horses in a beautiful, relaxing environment.
Open April through Fall, 25 miles north of downtown Asheville
Click here to visit their Web site.

North Carolina Arboretum
Stroll through a v
ariety of gardens, on peaceful hiking trails, and don't miss their impressive bonsai garden exhibit.
Open daily. Located 10 miles south of downtown Asheville on Highway 191 at the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
See our NC Arboretum Guide.

Hot Springs, NC Hot Springs, North Carolina
Hot Springs is a haven for those seeking outdoor adventure, healing and relaxation, or a quiet romantic getaway in a charming mountain village.
Located 35 miles north of Asheville.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Asheville Urban Trail Asheville Urban Trail
This outside museum is a self-guided, 1.7-mile walking tour of 30 sculptures that depict the history of downtown Asheville. Stop by the Art Museum (in Pack Place by the tall monument) to rent some audio headsets or pick up a free brochure at the Asheville Visitors Center, Pack Square, or one of the downtown shops.
Read more about the Urban Trail.

See our Top 20 Green Guide

WNC Nature Center: Learn about the area's natural resources, see animals in their native habitats, and view various exhibits on this 40-acre site.
Open daily. Located 6 miles from downtown near exit 8 on I-240.
Read more about the WNC Nature Center.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, these train excursions travel through the scenic mountains and colorful countryside of Western North Carolina.
Gourmet dining and mystery theatre dinner trains, 50 miles west of downtown Asheville.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Lake Lure Tours: They conduct guided hourly, twilight, and dinner cruises on spectacular Lake Lure. Bring along a bottle of wine and get cozy during their special two-hour full moon and meteor shower nighttime cruises.
Open Friday-Sunday in March & daily April through mid December, 27 miles SE of downtown Asheville.

Click here to visit their Web site.

Grandfather Mountain: Discover nature on a different level at this rugged mountain with endless vistas, great hiking, and wildlife habitats. Located 75 miles north of Asheville. Read more about Grandfather Mountain.

Mount Mitchell: Drive to the top of the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. This state park has a observation tower, plenty of hiking, and a restaurant. Be prepared for much cooler temperatures there. See our Mount Mitchell Guide and our Hikes & Walks Guide.
Open year round, located 35 miles northeast of downtown Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Fly Fishing with Hunter Banks: This full service fly shop has guide and instructional services to suit the needs of the individual angler, whether novice or experienced. Full- and half-day guided trips, tying classes, and classes especially for ladies.
Montford Avenue at exit 4C on I-240, ½ mile from downtown Asheville.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Black Bear Adventures Bicycle Tours: Discover hidden waterfalls, secret swimming holes and other Appalachian treasures on a guided bicycle tour.
Daily tours April - October, tours for all ability levels, 27 miles from downtown Asheville.
Click here to visit their Web site.


Old Pressley Sapphire Mine: This mine contains abundant quantities of sapphires, moonstones, zircon, and other precious minerals in sufficient quantity to make rock collecting both pleasurable and profitable.
Open daily 9-5. Located near exit 33 off I-40, 20 miles west of downtown, near Canton.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Mountain Biking: See our Mountain Biking Guide.

Climbmax: No matter what the weather, you can go rock climbing in this indoor climbing gym downtown. It's great fun for two with no experience needed. They also have a large outdoor climbing wall.
Closed Mondays, open afternoon and evenings. 43 Wall Street.
Click here to visit their Web site.

WNC Farmers Market: Stop by for area farm-fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, flowers, and ornamental plants.
Open daily, no admission, 5 miles south of downtown at exit 47 on I-40.
Read more about Local Food and Tailgate Markets.

Cradle of Forestry: Travel back in time with historic cabins, crafters, old logging equipment, guided tours, movie, food and shopping. Home of the first forestry school (opened in 1898) in America.
Admission, Open daily 9-5, mid April through October. Located 41 miles southwest of Asheville on U.S. 276, south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 412.
Read more about Cradle of Forestry.

Botanical Gardens at Asheville: This 10-acre garden near the University of North Carolina in Asheville features Southern Appalachian plants, and includes peaceful hiking trails in the middle of the city.
Free, Open daily dawn to dusk, two miles from downtown on WT Weaver Blvd near Broadway Street.
Read more about the Botanical Gardens.

Smoky Mountain Jet Boats: Take a thrilling ride on scenic Lake Fontana as well as combination trips, such as hike and jet boat ride trip that encompasses everything that’s great about Western North Carolina-hiking, picnicking, swimming, and thrilling jet boat ride.
Various trips and prices. 70 miles southwest of Asheville near Bryson City.
Click here to visit their Web site.

Walking Tours of Montford, Riverside Cemetery and Downtown Asheville: See where history happened and learn about the architecture and people in Asheville's history.
By appointment, group tours are available.
Click here to visit their Web site.

     

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