101 Unique Things to Do in Asheville NC & Western NC
Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains offer an ideal setting for a family reunion getaway. With access to mountain perks like hiking trails, rivers, lakes, ski resorts, national parks, swimming holes, waterfalls, and unique places to stay, planning your family reunion in and around Asheville gives you plenty of options. (Photo above: The Horse Shoe Farm)
Also, find plenty of large group vacation rentals that are designed to host the whole family, making it easier for you to begin planning your next family reunion to Asheville. These rentals have all the perks for a fun time like game rooms, fire pits, hot tubs, volleyball courts, mountain views, and more. You'll find large group rentals all over Western NC in a variety of settings including lakes, snowy mountaintops, woodland cabins, riverside retreats, and even downtown rentals.
Downtown Asheville offers its own variety of things to do from local breweries, one of a kind dining for delicious family meals, Biltmore Estate, and more. Don't forget the Blue Ridge Parkway (which runs through Asheville) with instant access to scenic winding roads with Appalachian highlights like Pisgah Forest, waterfalls, overlooks, and plenty of hiking. See our top Blue Ridge Parkway hikes for ideas! Looking for ways to explore the outdoors with less of a "hike?" Find our guides for Accessible Hiking Trails and Easy-to-See & Roadside Waterfalls for those in your family that aren't interested in an all-day hike.
Start planning with featured lodging and group activity ideas below.
Featured Lodging
Greybeard Vacation Rentals
Choose from over 200 vacation rentals and cabins throughout Asheville, Black Mountain, and Western NC. Greybeard Vacation Rentals makes your stay effortless, from secluded mountain getaways and romantic hot-tub cottages to large, family-friendly homes. Founded in 1999, their pet-friendly cabins are fully equipped with all the amenities you need for a fantastic retreat in nature.
Yonder Luxury Vacation Rentals, Asheville
This premier luxury cabin and home vacation rental firm has 165+ hand selected properties, ranging from quaint 1 bedroom cabins and lofts for romantic weekends to sprawling 9 bedroom estates for large family gatherings, corporate retreats or intimate weddings. Yonder also knows how pets are a part of these gatherings and proudly allows guests to bring their dogs along. Guaranteed clean… read more
Bend of Ivy Lodge
Retreat, restore, renew, and play in nature at the beautiful eco-sanctuary Bend of Ivy Lodge. With 10 bedrooms that can sleep up to 17 guests, this unique, private 63-acre Asheville retreat center… read more
Retreat, restore, renew, and play in nature at the beautiful eco-sanctuary Bend of Ivy Lodge. With 10 bedrooms that can sleep up to 17 guests, this unique, private 63-acre Asheville retreat center is near downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Explore the on-site labyrinth, meditation gardens, hiking trails, koi pond, outdoor decks, gathering spaces, and fire pit.
…
The Horse Shoe Farm, Hendersonville
The Horse Shoe Farm, an 85+ acre riverfront estate near Asheville, Hendersonville, and the airport, offers high-end nightly accommodations, a private event space, The Silo Cookhouse farm-to-table… read more
The Horse Shoe Farm, an 85+ acre riverfront estate near Asheville, Hendersonville, and the airport, offers high-end nightly accommodations, a private event space, The Silo Cookhouse farm-to-table dining, and The Stable Spa with a full menu of treatments and massage. Day passes are available for the Pool & Pool House facilities with cold plunge, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, hot showers and…
Group Activities
Biltmore
Touring America’s Largest Home is easily the number one indoor attraction in Western North Carolina. Experience the beauty of Biltmore House and its century-old gardens where the Vanderbilt family once strolled. Come see why George Vanderbilt chose Asheville as the site for his famous estate. Explore Biltmore's 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain backyard, taste award-winning wines, dine, and shop. See our extensive guide with many photos and tips.
Top Restaurants In & Near Asheville
From casual to sophisticated, there are many restaurants for all tastes, with flavors from around the world. Plus, find many more award-winning chefs throughout the mountains. See our top picks… read more
From casual to sophisticated, there are many restaurants for all tastes, with flavors from around the world. Plus, find many more award-winning chefs throughout the mountains. See our top picks for dining in Asheville.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Take a scenic train ride on excursions along the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers, over the mountains, across valleys and through tunnels. Choose from a variety of train adventures departing… read more
Take a scenic train ride on excursions along the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers, over the mountains, across valleys and through tunnels. Choose from a variety of train adventures departing from Bryson City. Many special event train rides including beer, wine and Polar Express.
Top 8 Zip Line Canopy Tours
Fly above the trees and experience the mountains' natural beauty from a bird's perspective. See our favorite zip line canopy courses to enjoy in the Asheville area of the North Carolina Blue… read more
Fly above the trees and experience the mountains' natural beauty from a bird's perspective. See our favorite zip line canopy courses to enjoy in the Asheville area of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. No experience is needed. Canopy guides provide all instruction and assistance. It's fun for all fitness levels!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Top 30 in NC
Explore the most visited national park in the country! See our top places and things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side near Asheville. Four entrances to the… read more
Explore the most visited national park in the country! See our top places and things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side near Asheville. Four entrances to the Park are within 60 miles of downtown Asheville.
6 Mountain Beaches near Asheville
Hit the beach on pristine, cool mountain lakes in the NC mountains near Asheville, complete with sandy shores, lifeguards and plenty of summer fun in the water.
Hit the beach on pristine, cool mountain lakes in the NC mountains near Asheville, complete with sandy shores, lifeguards and plenty of summer fun in the water.
Adventure Center of Asheville: Outdoor Family Fun!
Open all year and just five minutes from downtown and 10 minutes from Biltmore, The Adventure Center of Asheville offers two zipline tours. The Asheville Zipline tour is an urban tour that offers… read more
Open all year and just five minutes from downtown and 10 minutes from Biltmore, The Adventure Center of Asheville offers two zipline tours. The Asheville Zipline tour is an urban tour that offers nine ziplines and one sky bridge amidst 150-year-old trees. Their Skyline tour is a shorter version with five ziplines. Both tours include a 1,200-foot side-by-side zipline with views of Asheville and…
Hendersonville Wine Country
Visit six award-winning wineries on a 10-mile scenic drive just east of Hendersonville in apple country. Each has both indoor and outdoor spaces with beautiful views, live music, and more.… read more
Visit six award-winning wineries on a 10-mile scenic drive just east of Hendersonville in apple country. Each has both indoor and outdoor spaces with beautiful views, live music, and more.
18 Scenic Drives
See gorgeous countryside, mountain views and charming communities on a windshield tour via national and state scenic byways near Asheville. Lots of opportunities for stops along the way.… read more
See gorgeous countryside, mountain views and charming communities on a windshield tour via national and state scenic byways near Asheville. Lots of opportunities for stops along the way.
Best 75 Mountain Hikes
There are thousands of miles of hiking trails near Asheville, many of which are in pristine national forests or parks. We picked our favorites and created extensive guides for each with photos and… read more
There are thousands of miles of hiking trails near Asheville, many of which are in pristine national forests or parks. We picked our favorites and created extensive guides for each with photos and details. Find hikes for all skill levels in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.
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… read more
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.
Nantahala Outdoor Center
NOC has been offering whitewater rafting for over 50 years! Enjoy family-friendly paddles on both the French Broad River outside of Asheville and on the Nantahala River campus outside of Bryson… read more
NOC has been offering whitewater rafting for over 50 years! Enjoy family-friendly paddles on both the French Broad River outside of Asheville and on the Nantahala River campus outside of Bryson City with ziplining, lake paddling, restaurants, lodging, and more!
LaZoom Tours
Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter! Through captivating stories, comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville's history, current… read more
Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter! Through captivating stories, 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 and beer tours, too!
Top Guided Tours & Experiences
Take a guided tour for sightseeing, art, wildlife, history, food, beer, waterfalls, wellness and more in Asheville and western North Carolina. See our list of favorites.
Take a guided tour for sightseeing, art, wildlife, history, food, beer, waterfalls, wellness and more in Asheville and western North Carolina. See our list of favorites.
Lake Lure
Note: Lake Lure will likely remain closed for the 2025 summer season due to ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Several attractions and activities are available in the area, including… read more
Note: Lake Lure will likely remain closed for the 2025 summer season due to ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Several attractions and activities are available in the area, including Dittmer-Watts Nature Trails, Lake Lure Green Space, Pool Creek Picnic Park, Youngs Mountain, and Rumbling Bald Golf Courses.
300 Things to Do
See our master list of places to see and things to do in the western North Carolina mountains, including Asheville and our many small towns.
See our master list of places to see and things to do in the western North Carolina mountains, including Asheville and our many small towns.
Waterfalls Top 60
Of hundreds of waterfalls near Asheville, we picked the most spectacular falls that are easy to find. Some can be enjoyed with a short walk or even roadside. Others require a scenic hike. See full… read more
Of hundreds of waterfalls near Asheville, we picked the most spectacular falls that are easy to find. Some can be enjoyed with a short walk or even roadside. Others require a scenic hike. See full descriptions for each, with plenty of photos! Also see Waterfall Drives & Maps.
