Plan Your Trip

Set aside life’s obligations to focus on your own health and wellbeing in a beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains setting. Stay for a week or as long as you want. Stress management, fitness, spa,... read more

This historic theatre turned restaurant and music hall brings a creative flair and fusion of flavors to the food scene of West Asheville. The eclectic menu pairs many locally sourced ingredients, a touch of Asian flair and a creative nod to the Appalachians.  

Indulge yourself. It will be easy to imagine being a pampered guest of one of America’s most revered hostesses, Edith Vanderbilt. Your revitalizing journey begins the moment you step foot into this luxurious facility, designed to reflect and evoke the elegance of Biltmore. Choose from a wide array of treatments that incorporate the Estate’s natural offerings to create a soothing, rejuvenating and unique experience.

This grand Sunday brunch buffet on Biltmore Estate has been a favorite for many years. Located in a converted barn with walls of windows, Deerpark's big menu includes estate-grown greens, berries, eggs, and hand-carved meats. It’s especially popular for special occasions and holidays (including Easter & Mother's Day), so make reservations well in advance. Sunday 10-2. Admission ticket or annual pass required.

Celebrate Black liberation in Downtown Asheville with live music and performances, kids showdown, food trucks, art vendors, and more! Free admission. 11 AM-10 PM in Pack Square Park. 1 Court Plaza

This beautiful outdoor venue and tree grove offers a peaceful woodland forest setting with sweeping views for a scenic wedding ceremony. Two majestic catalpa trees stand in the center of the... read more

Find the charm of a B&B with the privacy of a hotel at this historic inn, located less than a mile from downtown in the Grove Park neighborhood. Many amenities include the made-to-order... read more

Soak away your stress in the only outdoor Japanese-style retreat on the east coast, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This unpretentious and unique wellness retreat features completely private salt hydrotherapy tubs, a wet cedar sauna, and invigorating double cold showers - all on the edge of the National Forest. Shoji’s world-class Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapists provide Zen, Okubukai, Awasu, among other offerings. Post tub soak, Senjo outdoor exfoliation, Chea Massage Chair Pods, and our Savasana Retreat are some of our more unique retreat choices. Come and relax 2500’ above stress level.

(1.5 to 3 miles, moderate) For one of the best panoramic mountain views in western North Carolina, hike the 3/4-mile Craggy Pinnacle Trail to the observation area. Also hike the Craggy Gardens Trail between the picnic area and visitor center through rhododendron that bloom in June. Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.

Their unique combination of world-class services, including Salt Water Floatation (sensory deprivation), Esalen Massage®, Cranial Sacral Therapy and Somatic (body) Psychology, is designed to encourage effortless relaxation and an opportunity to reconnect to your body’s wisdom.

Located in West Asheville, this historic Art Deco style music hall can host a variety of events from intimate rehearsal dinners to large weddings. Their name gives a nod to the building's... read more

Nationally recognized for its dedication to fine American art and craft, Grovewood Gallery is noted for its charming, old-world setting and rich craft heritage. Located in historic Grovewood Village, the gallery offers two expansive floors of finely crafted furniture, ceramics, jewelry and more, contributed by over 400 artists and craftspeople from across the United States. Free parking on-site. 111 Grovewood Rd.

This stylish luxury downtown Asheville hotel features sleek European design and local influences. Located just a block from Pack Square, it has a restaurant and bar on the 9th floor, with... read more

Celebrating the WNC Fly Fishing Trail and local breweries, with craft beer vendors, food trucks, fishing guides and vendors, and live music 3-7 PM at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva (76 Railroad Avenue). 

Watch majestic elk graze and interact in meadows at the Great Smoky Mountains Oconaluftee Visitor Center and other areas around Cherokee.

(2-mile loop hike, moderate) A landmark in the Nantahala National Forest, located between Cashiers and Highlands, Whiteside rises to an elevation of 4,930 ft.. A loop trail takes you to the top of sheer 750-ft. high cliffs (plenty of railings for safety) with outstanding views.

Cheers to the beer mecca of the southeast! Taste the extraordinary local brews, but it may take you a few days. With dozens of craft breweries and 100+ local brews and ciders in western North Carolina, you will need to pace yourself! Walk to many breweries in the South Slope downtown. If wine is more your style, see our Top 10 Wineries for tours and tastings.

A food-lover’s paradise filled with some of the best restaurants in the region, downtown Asheville has a wealth of independent restaurants, serving up fresh, seasonal, scratch-made fare with top-notch hospitality.

This grand, historic home built in 1875 is home to the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, with every room packed with craft, art and furnishings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Open May-October.

Explore gorgeous Lake Glenville high in the mountains near Cashiers on an easy-to-operate pontoon and tritoon boat, perfect for both novice and experienced boaters. They are open April-October and also rent tubes, paddleboards, skis, wakeboards and kneeboards.

Located in a 125+ year old Richard Sharpe Smith Victorian House, “Asheville’s most surprising restaurant” handcrafts food using as much local produce and proteins as possible. They touch on many of the cuisines found throughout this country. Open 7 days a week for Lunch from 11 AM - 3 PM and for dinner from 5 PM on. To make a reservation, click on their website or call 828-274-2439.  3 Boston Way.

Order a free copy of the award-winning travel guide to the Rutherford County foothills that includes Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Rutherfordton, Forest City and much more!

Dine lakeside at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure by their private beach. Arrive by boat or car. Casual dining includes their favorites, hand-made pizzas and house-ground burgers. At the bar, sip craft beers while watching the game or playing billiards. Come early to enjoy the patio views. 40 miles east of Asheville.

With a prime corner location in the beautiful Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville, find superior local and organic produce and meats for a bounty of fresh flavors with contemporary style. Lunch features soups, salads, hand-tossed pizzas and burgers. Dinner offerings range from mussels and calamari to locally sourced steaks and pork, along with signature cocktails and local brews. Prime outdoor dining patio. 1 Page Avenue. 

Stay right in the heart of downtown Asheville at this historic, boutique hotel. Be pampered in elegantly-appointed, oversized suites. Enjoy champagne at check-in and immerse yourself in Southern... read more

See the upper section of the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi, plunging 411 ft.! The best part is that you can get a great view with a short walk. The walkway begins at the end of the parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. A lower overlook is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps.

Visit this authentic gold mine and travel back to the 1800s gold rush. Pan for gold and gems, talk to a real prospector and explore the "Old West" buildings with plenty of interesting things to see. Open mid March-October. South of Marion.

Real dovetail log vacation cabins nestled among the 14,000 acres of the Pisgah National Forest. Includes an equipped kitchen, a covered porch, a 50-jet hot tub and a log bed with Egyptian cotton... read more

Two truly unique, hand-crafted, secluded cabins with individual private hot tubs, mountain laurel hand railings, hardwood flooring and awesome stone wood-burning fireplaces. Nestled on nine acres... read more

This team picks the perfect outdoor location for couples that love nature, including waterfalls and mountaintops. A variety of packages include professional photography session with... read more

This South Asheville dance studio offers a fun and supportive environment for Aerial yoga (flying yoga), flexibility training, pole dancing, open studio sessions, and more. Private sessions and parties are also available. Try the fun Friday night workout for just $5.

Brews, views and I Dos! Asheville's original craft brewery, Highland Brewing, features an industrial chic private event center... read more

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.

Find a big variety of 40 artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry and more in downtown Banner Elk. Many restaurants, shops and things to do nearby. Benefits their historic school renovation. 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission.

Go to Maggie Valley to celebrate the elk and our great outdoors with a big festival on Saturday and other special tours and events. 

Located a little south of Asheville is one of the prettiest stretches of the French Broad River, away from the crowds and highways. Take a self-guided tubing, kayaking or canoeing trip ranging from two hours to all day, including the fun Sierra Nevada Express trip that makes a post-paddle visit to the brewery easy.

This North Carolina Scenic Byway travels 45 miles along U.S. Highway 19/74 from Bryson City to Marble, taking you through the beautiful Nantahala Gorge with whitewater rafting, zip line canopy tours and a beautiful riverside drive. Stop at Nantahala Outdoor Center to watch the river fun or enjoy a riverside lunch.

Kids love this giant outdoor playground, just five minutes from downtown Asheville, with three areas for ages 4-10: KidZip with nine ziplines, Treetops Adventure Park with 70 safe climbing, jumping, swinging and rappelling challenges, and TreeQuest tree climbing with safety of a harness. Canopy tours and mountain biking for older kids too.

Starting at the top of Mt. Mitchell, drive 52 miles among the peaks and valleys of Yancey and Madison counties, through the Toe River Valley and Burnsville. This area is a mecca for artists with many galleries and artist studios. Along the drive, pass 46 Western NC Quilt Trails blocks.