Plan Your Trip

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. 

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, 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.

See one of Asheville's architectural treasures and spiritual anchors with the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the country.

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

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.

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.

(1.7-mile loop, easy) This outdoors museum is a self-guided walking tour on the sidewalks of downtown Asheville, leading to 30 sculptures that depict local history.

Browse Sylva’s main street with independent shops and galleries for unique finds, a variety of restaurants, and four walkable breweries that host weekly events like live music, trivia, and even yoga. Also find a variety of ways to pamper and relax, including spas, a meditation center, and even guided forest therapy walks!

Your 3.5-hour escape begins with a one-hour private outdoor salt hydrotherapy tub soak, a 90-minute massage that includes a Thai Foot Massage, and a comforting conclusion in the Savasana Retreat with cushy tatami mats with heated infrared gemstone therapy and negative ions. Cost is $546/couple

Give the gift of camping comfort with products that make outdoor adventure accessible. What started as an idea to create an innovative pop-up camper has evolved into a line of award-winning adventure trailers and camping accessories. Check out their innovative gear, designed to enrich multiple areas of your life. 

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.

Spend a day exploring downtown, with hundreds of locally-owned shops and galleries, museums, restaurants, breweries, and pubs. Visit Pack Square Park, dance at the Drum Circle, go to a festival or enjoy street performers. See our favorite things to do!

Retreat to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a week of self-care! Stress management, fitness, spa, and culinary experts help you relax and break old habits that no longer serve you. Whether it's weight loss, yoga, hiking, or healthy, chef-prepared food that interests you, Skyterra guides you towards sustainable lifestyle changes at a 300-acre wooded campus of pristine trails and waterfalls. All-inclusive with programming, lodging, three delicious chef-prepared meals daily catered to your dietary needs and preferences, snacks, and refreshments. See their website for rates. 

Find a big variety of healing modalities around Asheville for the ultimate holistic health options including reiki, sound healing, coaching, Ayurveda, reflexology, acupuncture, and more. 

Surrounded by a variety of gorgeous natural landscapes on 175 acres, this charming log cabin offers an expansive great room, two stone fireplaces, a fully stocked kitchen, and picturesque views.... read more

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.

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.

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.

Carolina Living Choices is a guide for active, senior living retirement in Western NorthCarolina. They offer a wealth of information and expertise on real estate, 55+, and retirement communities near Asheville, including lifestyle resources for education, enrichment, recreation, and travel. See helpful articles and request a free print and digital retirement guide on their website.

Find mountain biking heaven in the Nantahala National Forest with 40 miles of trails overlooking Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains. Located near Bryson City, where you can find bike rentals and supplies.

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.)

This 99-acre pristine, secluded lake is located in the Southern portion of DuPont State Recreational Forest and is the largest lake in the forest. The hike to the lake is three miles round trip from High Falls Access Area. Trails are easy to moderate.

Find some of the most spectacular scenery with many hikes along the rim to peaks like Table Rock, Hawksbill and Shortoff. And don't forget Linville Falls!

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

Experience colorful leaves and crisp autumn air where the mountains meet the lake! Save 25 percent off lodging this fall at Lake Junaluska's Terrace Hotel or Lambuth Inn when you book between Aug 1 and Labor Day. This special offer is valid for multiple-night stays from Sept 6-Nov 6.

Founded in 2017, Asheville Real Estate News is a media outlet dedicated to local real estate with weekly podcasts and articles covering everything Asheville real estate has to offer. 

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 gorgeous scenery, videography and custom ceremony with an officiant. Book weekdays (Mon-Thurs) for more private settings at some of the most iconic mountain locations. 
Rate: From $1250

Centrally located near downtown Asheville in a cozy vintage bungalow, they offer integrative massage therapy, Thai yoga bodywork, Ashiatsu (back walking), and an herbal apothecary. They offer heart-centered and high-quality services while still maintaining fair and competitive prices.  

The largest national forest in North Carolina (531,286 acres), Nantahala covers much of the western tip of the state. Find a wealth of outdoor activities and plenty of scenic views, hiking trails and waterfalls.

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. 

Find places to stay around Burnsville including top cabins, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and more!

Book a romantic getaway in the heart of downtown Asheville at this boutique hotel. Oversized suites, luxurious baths, red roses, handmade chocolates, early check-in and late check-out.
Rate: From $730 for 2 nights/2 people

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.

This small town offers not one but two main streets, Upper Street (Oak Avenue) and Lower Street (Locust Avenue). A must-stop is the Toe River Arts Council Gallery. Visit for many festivals and gem mining.

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

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.  

Offering authentic Japanese food known as “washoku,” this casual north Asheville eatery serves a bounty of fresh, home-style dishes in a casual setting. Guests can enjoy complimentary green tea and even a crane folding activity while dining! Try the sushi buffet on Sundays. 674 Merrimon Ave, Suite 105

Getting married made easy near downtown Asheville with your choice of indoor or outdoor ceremony, photography, officiant, bouquet, two-tier wedding cake, two-night stay in a luxury suite, gourmet breakfast, concierge service and more. Up to 6 guests for the ceremony. Excludes holidays & October.
Rate: From $2,100