Plan Your Trip

 This 3-day music and art festival features Americana, bluegrass, funk, hip hop, jam, roots blues, rock’n roll, and more at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher, NC. Find plenty of art, crafts, food trucks, and more!

Earn your pint of beer aboard Hendersonville’s pub cycle. HVL Pedal & Brews books tours to downtown breweries and tasting rooms. Five breweries lie within pedaling distance.

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)

(2-40 miles, easy, moderate, strenuous) This state park near Morganton has 40 miles of hiking trails. Our favorite is High Shoals Falls 2.7-mile loop trail to a beautiful 60-foot waterfall. Combine several trails for a much longer hike.

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

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

Enjoy a full day of fun that includes multiple outdoor activities near downtown. Combo pass is $123/person for the Full Zip Tour and the Treetops Park. Express Zip and Treetops Park is $103/person. And Kid Zip and Treetops Adventure Park is $83/person.

Indulge in an exclusive getaway at a private retreat at one of the historic Cottages on Biltmore Estate. Beautifully updated to offer a unique experience of Biltmore, each of these private homes... read more

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.

For a fascinating stroll through history, head to this sprawling cemetery near downtown Asheville, with 87 acres of rolling hills and flower gardens. The cemetery dates to 1885 and holds more than 13,000 burials and 9,000 monuments. It is the burial place of noted authors Thomas Wolfe and William Sidney Porter, better known as O. Henry.

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.

Enjoy many choices for great theatre, plays, music, dance and more in Asheville and nearby areas.

Enjoy a unique and adventurous experience with a variety of glamping options. From treehouses, vintage RV’s, domes, bell tents and more- find your rest and relaxation in multiple settings... read more

Kids of all ages will love this 42-acre wildlife park, providing a home for 60+ animals native to this region, including foxes, bears, wolves, bobcats, cougars, river otters. Don’t miss the Red Panda Exhibit! 

Hike, bike and golf in the highest town in eastern America, and enjoy cool temperatures all summer long. Their 20-mile trail system is open year-round.  

Traveling with your dog? See our Pet-Friendly Guide to Asheville and the North Carolina mountains that includes lodging, hiking, Biltmore, kennels, dog parks and more.

Planning a wedding in Asheville and looking for nearby lodging or hotel room blocks that can accommodate your large group? Find a variety of lodging options for your wedding weekend, bachelorette weekend, elopement, and more.

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.

Hike, mountain bike or horseback ride a multitude of trails to see many waterfalls and lakes on 10,000 acres. Plus, picnic on mountaintops and swim at Hooker Falls. Visitor center, free admission.

This free 4-day festival celebrates black business and entrepreneurship in Asheville. Enjoy a weekend of music, live performances, food, local vendors, community connection, and more in the River Arts District on Depot St.

Explore a big variety of very interesting museums and historic places in Asheville and the surrounding mountain small towns, filled with the fascinating history and culture of the Appalachian Mountains. Many are free to visit.

Looking for the best places for takeout in Asheville? From wings, tacos, burgers, and pizza to soups, salads, ramen, sushi and more, here are the top 20 takeout restaurants in Asheville. Bon appetit!

Find places to stay in Dillsboro including historic Inns, cabins, vacation rentals, and hotels that offer riverfront lodging, walkability to town, scenic balcony views, pet-friendly accommodations, hot tubs, and access to plenty of outdoor activities.

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!

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.

Serving up soul food in Hendersonville, owner Raynard Walker offers comfort food favorites like wings, shrimp and grits, mac-n-cheese, smoked meats, collards, and more with a Caribbean twist. Dine-in or pick up a meal to bring home, along with home-made lemonade or sweet tea. They also offer catering for events! 3591 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville

Be a kid again and splash around in a cool mountain swimming hole. Ride down Sliding Rock, swim under a waterfall, sun on a mountain beach or pristine lake, or spend a lazy day tubing down a river.

Find the best places to tube down a river on a hot summer day, including the French Broad River through Asheville, Deep Creek in the Smoky Mountains and Green River Gorge - with rentals and shuttle services. 

Explore our mountains with hikes, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and many thousands of acres of national forest and park land. Get outside in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains with our 70 favorite things to do.

Head to Grovewood Village for a variety of unique holiday gifts including ceramic tableware, wooden bowls and utensils, blown glass, fine jewelry, handwoven scarves, letterpress greeting cards, and much more. 10 AM-5 PM.

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.  

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. 

Serving a variety of traditional Japanese dishes including sushi and sashimi, this restaurant is a local favorite for take-out. Enjoy hibachi dishes (though not cooked in front of guests) and large portions. Try the Fire and Ice roll! 2 Regent Park Blvd

So many things to do - art, train excursions, heritage sites and more! Includes the towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville and Sapphire. 

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. 

This music festival held at Montreat College near Black Mountain is entirely student-organized, providing students with hands-on experience in creating a fun family-friendly event, celebrating art and culture. 1 PM-8 PM. 

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.

An integrative health clinic specializing in functional medical as well as eastern approaches to holistic health care. Practitioners Zachari Cahn and Tatianna Sanabria both hold master’s degrees in acupuncture and oriental medicine.

Since the late 1890s, tourists have flocked to this tiny railroad town of 700 residents. Main Street has many longtime businesses, including fantastic galleries and restaurants. A must stop is the 1899 Pace's "old time" General Store that is part museum. Since 1892 is Thompson's Store and Ward's Grill. Learn about the Saluda Grade at the Depot. Raft and tube on the Green River.