Plan Your Trip

This Broadway-style show in Marion features live music, dancing, and comedy sure to put you in the holiday spirit! There are four performances to choose from throughout the weekend. Tickets are $12-25. Mask required.

Enjoy a variety of things to do and see in Dillsboro including riverfront shops, restaurants, art, pottery, galleries, fun festivals, excursions on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and more.

Black Mountain Yoga features classes for all ages and abilities. They offer a range of class styles, including flow and yin with gong sound healing, gentle and restorative, sunrise yoga, kids yoga, and private yoga therapy sessions. They also have a private sauna. Fun fact: The studio is 100% wind-powered.

Give the gift of craft gear made right here in Asheville. Diamond Brand Gear’s beautiful canvas wall tents, elegant bags and duffles, and camping tents are built to last. Discover a variety of durable products that are perfect for your outdoorsy loved ones.

Find much to do! Ride the train on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad before you explore their downtown shops and galleries, or paddleboard down the river. Nearby Deep Creek in the Smokies features camping, hiking, trout fishing, and the ever-popular tubing. Raft the Nantahala River. And that's just the beginning!

Travel back in time with historic cabins, crafters, old logging equipment, guided tours, movies, food and shopping. Home of the first forestry school (opened in 1898) in America. In Pisgah National Forest. Open mid-April through October.

Asheville’s largest curated, pop-up market for antiques, art, vintage decor, jewelry, and beyond is in the River Arts District. Rain or shine. 10 AM-4 PM. (1 Foundy Street)

See “the toughest sport on dirt” for two nights of electrifying contests between bulls and riders battling to the eight-second buzzer in TIEC’s International Stadium. Featuring live music, a car show, and fun for the whole family.

Hike to the top of Glassy Mountain via a five-plus-mile trail system located on the grounds of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock.

One of the country’s most celebrated resorts for its history, elegance and southern charm. Ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports and... read more

Dine outdoors in nature! Plan a picnic at some amazing locations where you can enjoy sweet views.

See our top spots to visit in downtown Asheville on the Dog City USA trail, which includes the Doggie Welcome Center, a restaurant with a dog menu, a bakery and a hotel with rescue pooches. 

Appalachian Pinball Museum : Everyone is a kid again at Appalachian Pinball Museum, where $12 allows you to play all day. The museum features more than 70 games, including pinball classics as well arcade and video games. The oldest pinball machine dates to 1946. Enjoy soda, snacks or a beer while you play. (538 N. Main St.)

Bike, jog and walk the 13.5 paved rail-to-trail path that connects the towns of Ruth, Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City - with plenty to see along the way.

This beautiful waterfall setting is an easy hike in Pisgah National Forest. It's located in a lush cove off NC Highway 215, about 10 miles north of Highway 64 and 6.7 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Swim, kayak, canoe at this small park at Fingerlake Day Use Area of Fontana Lake. You’ll find a small park with picnic tables, public restrooms and a swimming area. 

Celebrate a anniversary, birthday or special occasion with your sweetie at this Chimney Rock landmark. Includes a couples massage, breakfast, bottle of wine and dinner certificate.
Rate: $380 plus room cost

Asheville offers a multitude of places to go for live music and dancing any day of the week.

Whether you like your tacos authentically Mexican or prefer fusions like Tex-Mex and California-style tacos, find the best joints to curb your taco craving in Asheville.

Enjoy mining fun year-round no matter the weather at this indoor facility featuring rubies, sapphires, emeralds, Aquamarine, topaz, and other precious or semi-precious gems and fossils. You can even have your treasure made into a piece of jewelry before you leave. (507 N Main St)

The Gorge Zipline Canopy Adventure is one of the steepest and fastest canopy tours in the U.S. This adventure takes place in the rugged Green River Gorge area of southeastern Henderson County.

Find many ways to explore Hendersonville’s surrounding outdoor playground including hiking trails, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, waterfalls, apple orchards, and so much more! 

Considering retiring? See why Asheville and Western North Carolina is named one of the best places to retire including perks like easy and accessible trails and waterfalls, world-class health care, life long learning programs, arts, music and more!

This gorgeous lake in Graham County is mostly surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. Swim, boat, camp and fish in the pristine waters, near Robbinsville. 

This center for self-renewal in Asheville has inspiring outdoor spaces like labyrinth gardens, stone paths, patios, waterfall fountains, green space, and woodland trails. They offer aromatherapy, massage, energy work, guided meditation, yoga, tai chi, guided hikes, belly dancing, tarot readings, and more. Choose from a variety of retreat options ranging from large groups to individual packages that include one overnight stay, light breakfast, Holistic Class, and contemplative destinations.

Amid the rapid spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, here's a list of county health departments in our region with accurate information and resources related to each county. 

Buy art and support the restoration of the historic school in Banner Elk. Find a big variety of artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry, and more. Many other things to do nearby. 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission. 

Asheville’s largest curated, pop-up market for antiques, art, vintage decor, jewelry, and beyond is in the River Arts District. Rain or shine. 10 AM-4 PM. (1 Foundy Street)

This area is part of Pisgah National Forest and is located in Henderson County, just 13 miles from downtown. The area has picnic sites, campsites, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, fly fishing, and tubing. Trails range in difficulty level from easy to strenuous.

Find our top glamping locations near Asheville. This combination of glamour and camping satisfies both the city slicker and nature lover. Arrive to a fully set up mountain campsite in our Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, no assembly or equipment required. 

Fed by Greenland Creek, this falls features multiple sections of sliding cascades, totaling 45 feet in height. The waterfall’s namesake, Carlton McNeill died at age 86 in 2007 after years of living in and caring for the hiking trails and scenery of Panthertown Valley. It’s hard to find a veteran hiker of the area who doesn’t have a memory of McNeill stumbling out of the woods to give them a hand with their expedition.

Stay at this elegantly renovated 1899 home with all the modern amenities and perfectly located within walking distance from downtown Asheville. Add a picnic basket with homemade treats and explore our top picnic spots for a romantic picnic this spring or summer!

The newest addition to Kanuga Conference & Retreat Center is Ride Kanuga mountain bike park. Founded by world-champion downhill racer Neko Mulally, the park features 12 downhill-specific trails suitable for all ability levels.

Stay two nights at this mountaintop inn on 100 acres, just 10 miles from downtown Asheville, and enjoy a unique falconry experience complete with Rocket Girl (in pic) flying to your glove.
Rate: $600

Gem mining has been a favorite activity for visitors to the mountains of North Carolina for many years. Most gem mines in the Asheville and Franklin areas are open from spring through autumn. Also tour several gem and mineral museums.

Don’t miss the views that can be seen from Grandfather Mountain, which at 5,946 ft’ is one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Grandfather Mountain State Park encompasses 2,456-acres of wilderness to explore. If you are staying in Asheville, 70 miles from Asheville, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Drive the Parkway north or south from Asheville and quickly climb the Blue Ridge Mountain ridge to see breathtaking vistas. You can reach elevations of 5,000+ ft. Our mile-by-mile guide of the Parkway covers the 193-mile section near Asheville. Along the way, plan to stop to visit the Folk Art Center or discover one of the other fun things to do along one of the most scenic drives in the United States.

Enjoy some virtual experiences in Western NC including outdoor video tours, fitness, meditation, museum tours, kid resources and more. 

The perfect way to celebrate your love on any occasion. Includes a two-night stay in this historic B&B near downtown Asheville, roses, hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, artisan baked cake and romantic dinner for two. Use Promo Code: Anni1
Rates: Start at $270