Plan Your Trip

Find unique neighborhoods and communities in Asheville, including historic, downtown, family-friendly, mountain top, current "hot spots" and more. 

The Bearfootin’ Bears public art project unveils 20 new bears along Hendersonville’s Main Street May-October. The bears are decorated by local artists, and each one benefits a local charity when they’re auctioned off in the fall. 

Find information on Asheville-area public schools, private schools, colleges, and universities. Many also offer public events and programs.

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.  

Find the perfect 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.

Check out our very diverse and passionate food and drink scene. Be a little adventurous and try something new. Or, enjoy time-honored classics. In downtown, walk to 60+ locally-owned innovative restaurants, many with outdoor dining. From crafted cocktails to local brews, there's plenty to drink. Forage for food, visit a farm or tour a vineyard.

Find all kinds of pet-friendly lodging in the Asheville area that welcome man’s best friend, plus extra perks like nearby hiking trails, outdoors, dog parks, and other dog-friendly... read more

Scenic mountain beauty and a pleasant climate provide a magnificent setting for a day of golf in Asheville and nearby towns and resorts. Lush fairways, sprawling bent grass greens, cool breezes and a gently undulating terrain.

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. 

This 3-day festival weekend features live music, arts, camping, and family-friendly activities in Hot Springs, NC. Camp for the weekend or come for a day. Click for ticket options and details.

Downtown Asheville's historic public square has been a central focal point since the city's creation in 1797. Spanning from the Vance Monument to the Roger McGuire Green in front of City Hall and the County Building, it's home to many festivals and free events. 

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.

Sylva offers a picturesque, small-town escape with plenty of unique places to stay including rustic cabins, large vacation rentals with back porch mountain views, charming B&B’s, historic inns, and more.

April & May: See our top picks for Spring events and festivals in the Asheville area of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. Many are free!

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.

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!

This kid-centered festival celebrates Earth Day with a variety of fun, environmentally-focused activities for kids in grades K-12 including arts, crafts, music performances, hands-on learning, interactive booths, and more. 12 AM-4 PM at Rabbit Rabbit in Downtown Asheville.

Walk to all the restaurants, shops, breweries, galleries and more - without worrying about finding a parking spot! Here are our top picks and highest reviewed hotels in the heart of... read more

Take a "walk in the woods" in the most scenic sections of the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail near Asheville, high in the North Carolina mountains. See our favorite six-day hikes for all fitness levels.

Take in the Smoky Mountains while enjoying an open-air, private soaking cabana perched on the mountainside at Lakeview at Fontana! This unique wellness experience includes essential-oil infused soaking salts, Turkish towels, and robes.

Tapas style Mediterranean restaurant is ideal for sharing with your group and trying new things! Enjoy small plates you can eat with your hands along with a creative, herbal-focused menu of house sodas, tonics, and cocktails. Try their shatta spicy dip, chicken shawarma, and beef kebabs. Order the baklava for takeout to enjoy at home!  853 Merrimon Avenue

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

Active military receives 15% discount on any room and suite rates at this luxury, log-constructed mountain lodge, offering private balconies and breathtaking views of the valley, just 12 miles from downtown Asheville.
Rate: From $169/night

(101 S Lexington Ave) Presenting a selection of flagship brews, as well as fun and unique small-batch brews, this brewery and restaurant offers a friendly atmosphere and is rumored to have the best burger in Asheville. Don’t miss brunch from 11 AM-3 PM on Sundays. Open daily. 

Find the best restaurants for barbecue ribs, pulled pork, chicken, beef brisket and more - cooked for 15+ hours over hardwood coals or perfectly smoked and seasoned. Don't forget the classic sides like baked beans, cornbread, collard greens, slaw and banana pudding.

See our favorite art festivals, events and shows this year in Asheville and surrounding towns in the western North Carolina mountains.

From casual lunch spots with outdoor patios, pubs, and cafes, the small town of Cashiers offers big flavor! Whether dine-in or take-out, savor bbq, pizza, Mexican, American fare, and 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!

Enjoy warm days and cool evenings at this gorgeous Inn & Resort in Flat Rock, just 20 mins to Asheville. Lots to do including kayaking, fishing, walking trails, outdoor games, and dining. Receive a $50 dining voucher when you stay 2 or more nights at onsite restaurant, Season’s at Highland Lake.

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 6 nights and get the 7th free in a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains, including Bryson City, Cherokee, Nantahala River and Fontana Lake. Choose 1-5 bedrooms, variety of amenities. Pet-friendly options too.
Rates: From $125/night

See the latest seasonal ticket specials and deals to tour Biltmore House, gardens, and winery on our Biltmore Guide. Often, you can save $8/person or more if you buy tickets 7 days in advance! Senior & military discounts too.

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.

Enjoy professional theater in the mountains based at the Historic Banner Elk School. This local theater troupe is known for high-quality performances with a robust year-round schedule of events.

This 5-day summer camp focuses on climbing for all skill levels. Activities include indoor climbing, outdoor climbing, biking, tubbing, and more. June-August 2022. 9 AM-5 PM, ages 6-16. Starts at $500/session.

This new Japanese smokehouse in downtown Asheville is the work of James Beard-nominated chef/owner Michael Lewis, offering a blend of Japanese street food and Southern BBQ to be enjoyed and shared by friends and family. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options. (121 Biltmore Ave)

Stay in this grand, historic B&B near downtown Asheville and romance it up with flowers, champagne and Godiva chocolate truffles. Plus, enjoy a two-course gourmet breakfast, wine reception, free parking and more.
Rate: $84/couple in addition to room

On the southside of downtown, explore the fast-growing "Brewery District" with eight breweries and a growing number of restaurants and shops, transitioning from sleepy industrial warehouses to a hip neighborhood. 

June, July, August: From street festivals to outdoor concerts, check out our top summer picks for Asheville and the surrounding NC mountain towns. Most are free.